It’s the start of the school year, and it’s so easy to get caught up in

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It’s the start of the school year, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the Rosh Hashana/New Year curriculum.

We learn how apples grow. We sort apples. We measure with apples. We learn about bees and how honey is made.

And all of that can be beautiful, meaningful learning.

But sometimes we get so caught up in all the little things we want to teach that we lose sight of the big idea.

What do I really want these children to walk away knowing?

When I teach Rosh Hashana, I want every child to know:

You are a unique and special neshama. Hashem knows you. Hashem sees you. Hashem loves you completely and unconditionally. Hashem is telling us: I love you. I am here. I am taking care of you. I am keeping you safe, each and every day.

That’s the big idea.

The apples, honey, seeds and bees can help us explore, discover and learn. But they’re the vehicle — not the destination.

Don’t get so lost in the apple seeds that you forget what Rosh Hashana is really about. Years from now, they may not remember the life cycle of an apple or how many apples tall they were when they were three.

But I hope that every Rosh Hashana, they remember how deeply they are loved.