Things have been hectic and I haven't posted in a while.
During that last month of the year, it's hard to concentrate on business as usual.  Indeed, the whole point of gearing up for the new year is to try and see to it that things should not be the same old same old next year.

At any rate, I heard a "vort" from a chasid today.  He told me that the numerical value of "shanah tovah" (a good year) is the same as "tov hanira v'hanigla" (revealed and obvious good.)  The reference is to the chasidic concept that everything that happens is good.  Only, there is good that is obvious and good that is hidden.  While hidden good is actually a more lofty and sublime form of good than obvious good, we mortals nonetheless wish each other the kind of good which we can see.

I haven't checked the sums to make sure that they add up but I invite you to do so and let me know if it works out.