Don’t Let Go of the Kallah’s Hand

My Rav once told me a story to symbolize the end of this sacred season ,  these weeks of closeness with HaShem. Now, ten long months separate us from the next time of reunion. Some of us, like me perhaps, may feel a little alone. So he shared this beautiful parable:

When you arrive at a wedding, from the very first steps into the hall, you can easily identify the bride. Everyone is gathered around her; she stands out, radiant and unique. No one resembles her. The groom, however, is harder to recognize, nothing in particular distinguishes him from the other guests. All the men are dressed more or less the same.

But there comes a moment when all doubts disappear — the moment the kallah leaves the room. Only one man takes her hand and walks with her, leading her toward a new chapter of their shared life.

This image teaches us that we, too, can hold on to that hand — to the light, the source of life, truth, love, and peace, and never let go, even as the chuppah fades into memory, carrying that connection with us through the year until the next reunion.

Shana Tovah, 

Mikhal