Happy Birthday To US!
The festival of Rosh HaShanah is observed
on the 1st day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei
(this year corresponding to September 10th). In Hebrew, Rosh HaShanah means,
literally, "Head of the Year," and, as its name indicates, it is the
beginning of the new Jewish year, 5779. Rosh HaShanah is not just a
Jewish holiday. Rosh HaShanah is the birthday of humankind, the
anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, highlighting
the special relationship between God and
humanity.
This is the day when we were
given the mandate to change the world. The day when G‑d entrusted us with the
mission to change a world that is hostile to spirituality and transform it into
G‑d's private sanctum. And in accomplishing this goal, you, too, were given the
ability to achieve incredible spiritual heights - heights unimaginable to the
soul before it was dispatched from its lofty heavenly home to inhabit a
physical body.
The period between Rosh HaShanah and Yom
Kippur is called the Ten Days of Repentance, or in Hebrew the Asseret
Yimei Teshuva. One of the ongoing
themes of the Ten Days is the concept that God has a “Book” that He writes our
names in, thus deciding our fate for the next year. “The Book” is opened on Rosh
HaShanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.
Rosh HaShanah is the time
to recognize that we have only one life and need to make each day count. It is a time to look at our values; to think
about the way we treat ourselves and others; to become aware of our daily
interactions.
Have we become more connected to our iPhones
than to the people in our life who need us most? Have we forgotten that we are
G-od’s partner every day in the creation of love, acceptance, tolerance, peace,
and joy?
Use this time to make positive
changes in your life. Transforming
oneself can be most difficult and challenging.
We change because we want to grow; other times we don’t really want to
change but we recognize that we must; and sometimes G-d just takes over and
change “happens.” If we embrace change,
we have the ability to rejuvenate ourselves and create the life that G-d has
“written” for us. A spiritual makeover
keeps us moving forward. Stagnation leads to depression of the soul.
Think of the High Holidays as
days of reconciliation between us and G-d. Take a few moments and make a
decision that will transform your life. Embrace your ability to change. Choose
a kindness a day, one less hurtful response, one more smile when you feel
depleted and want to scream, one more mitzvah (good deed) that stretches
your heart and soul. Think big and create a passionate vision of who you want
to be this coming year. If we are serious about making this world better, the
place to begin is within ourselves.
On Rosh
HaShanah we say, “Shanah Tovah” -
Happy New Year
On Yom
Kippur we say, “G’mar Chatimah
Tovah” - May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year
Wishing
all of us “Shanah Tovah - G’mar Chatimah Tovah”
Rabbi Stuart A. Paris, HaKohen
We thank you in advance for your help and generosity.
