Social media these days is abuzz with college drop offs and of course, the mandatory first day of school pictures. Clearly, it is the season when many are venturing into previously uncharted territory.
Embarking on any venture, like a new school year, moving into a new house, starting a business or a new budding relationship is oftentimes fraught with risks and dangers, and as we know, can also become a source of anxiety.
So what is the secret to a successful transition?
The Torah tells us "When you build a new home, you shall build a fence over your roof." A fence offers definition to a space, as well as protection from the inevitable dangers of rooftops without guardrails.
To succeed in a new venture, we should look ahead for all potential scenarios and plan accordingly. When moving away from our comfort zone and going out into the world, various elements may test our most sacred values and convictions. Erecting a fence symbolically means to create personal guardrails to protect our integrity, honesty and morality.
Jewish wisdom guarantees us that creating personal boundaries is the best way of preventing us from “falling over the edge.”