Juvenile Northern Parula : Our Spiritual Way Station

This is a Northern Parula. He’s a juvenile. Look closely at his chin; see the hints of the darker, “beard” coloration he’ll grow into? Search deeper, and maybe you’ll see me reflected in his eye. Science officially records this bird hasn’t ever been reported at this park, at this time. He’s classified as a “Rarity” certainly, and I might say more. I have offered hundreds of days, and countless hours, trekking the trails. I have seen just four Northern Parulas and only this one juvenile. He is only weeks old. Every single thing he experiences is new to him, just as seeing him was new to me.

Shabbat Shuvah, the first Shabbat of the new year, occurs between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Envision a narrow bridge spanning from the New Year to the Day of Atonement. Shabbat Shuvah is the way station between the two. At one end, our fate has been written, and when we reach the other side, it will be sealed. Shabbat Shuvah elevates our awareness: to turn our actions to reformation, attachment to HaShem, and righteous giving. On Shabbat Shuvah we “turn,” not to create ourselves anew but to turn back to our preexisting goodness. This is a time to shed the slowly accreting bad habits that hide our divine cores.

We often speak of “reform” at this time of year. But go deeper - think of “re-form.” Can we remember ourselves ab initio? This is the moment to embrace what we were, what we can again be. We are given the opportunity, and indeed the challenge, to walk along a narrow bridge, a metaphorical span of time. This is a perilous journey, navigating life and death. We are at the way station. Take stock. Now. Revel in your opportunity. HaShem has given us mitzvot as guide rails and the beautiful young Parula to remind us of our own inherent potential.