Sukkot Day 2 Sermon: Learning How to Color Hair Better with Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz

Very often I feel that my hair is not doing anything for me. It’s just kind of there. So before Yom Kippur, since I was about to see the entire congregation, I have to confess that in addition to teshuvah, I was thinking about my hair. I shared my dilemma with Shira: Should I go see my hair stylist, Tami, who works at Dellaria? Why, she asked. Because my hair is not doing anything for me, I answered. I think your hair is fine. Fine? Is that all you can say? Married for 36 years? All you can say is that my hair is fine? Say more, I said. OK, she said. Your hair is sparse.

Sparse? What is sparse hair, anyway? I found that very demotivating. It was the day before Yom Kippur, I had more important things to think about, so I did not see Tami before the day of atonement.

However, on the morning after the day of atonement, I was with Tami, who was cutting my sparse hair, we were making pleasant chit chat, and since I have been seeing her for years, I know that Monday is her day off. I asked her: what are you going to do this Monday, on your day off?

"I am coming in to Dellaria Salon this coming Monday."

But Monday is your day off. Why are you coming in?

"Because I want to take a class. They are having a hair expert teach a class on how to color hair. And I want to learn."

Wait a minute, I said. How long have you been a professional hair stylist?

"Over 30 years."

And in those 30 plus years, how many people’s hair have you colored?

"Thousands. Too many to count."

So you already know how to color hair.

"Yes, but I could always learn how to color hair better."