Podcasts religion From the Bimah: Jewish Lessons for Life Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Sermon: When I Was Younger with Rabbi Michelle Robinson

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Sermon: When I Was Younger with Rabbi Michelle Robinson

Published: Sept. 16, 2023, 4:50 p.m.

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One of my closest friends tells of an impish childhood. Facing his parents\\u2019 discipline, whether after a homework assignment not turned in, a skirmish with his sister, or a fly-ball through the living room window, they would ask him, \\u201cHow did this happen? Did you do this?\\u201d To which he would reply, \\u201cYes \\u2013 but that was when I was younger.\\u201d

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We sometimes tease about that mantra, adorably employed to excuse any error, no matter how recent. We test its range: \\u201cYou\\u2019re right,\\u201d I might say, \\u201cI was texting while we were talking on the phone just now, but that was when I was younger.\\u201d

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It never fails to turn frustration into laughter \\u2013 perhaps because of how ridiculous it is. Taken literally, it would be a spectacularly bad way to approach our wrongs. After all, even the worst things we ever did share one indelible truth: We did them when we were younger.

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But back in April, I had an interaction that made me look again at my friend\\u2019s childhood plea and convinced me that \\u201cI did that when I was younger\\u201d is a phrase we all could use more of in this new year.

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