Rosh Hashana is here: As we prepare to usher in the New Year, we find ourselves caught up in many Holiday details. Will we be eating with family? Where will the meals be? Who will be there? Who do we want to see, and who don’t we want to see? What foods do we look forward to, and what do we want to avoid? Where will we be for services? Who will be sitting next to us?
As we think over all these various questions in our mind, there is another set of questions that we must think about. What is the purpose of this Holiday? Are we just to go through motions of sitting for hours with books we don’t really want to read? Why all the fanfare and commotion?
Rosh Hashanah does touch each and every one of us: Rosh Hashanah is special because it celebrates the creation of the world. In Judaism we don’t just commemorate a past event by mentioning it on the anniversary of its occurrence. When we mark an event we are tapping into a spiritual influence that occurs every year at the same time. On Passover that is a spiritual influence of freedom; On Shavuos it is an influence in accepting the Torah; and on Rosh Hashana it is a special reality of recreation of the world that comes at this time every year. In recognizing this, we are recognizing that there is a golden opportunity given to each and every one of us at this time.
Imagine if every person who has ever had a relationship go sour, be it with family, friends, or coworkers, was given opportunity to start fresh. No more arguments, no more badmouthing, and no more bitterness. From darkness – to a great light. From hatred to friendship. How precious would that chance to start fresh be? To replace a fragile or hostile relationship with one of love and understanding; To be able to enjoy a positive healthy relationship instead of bitter feelings of animosity. This is the dream of being able to start new.
What would we give to have such opportunity? Wouldn’t such a gift be priceless?
This is the gift of Rosh Hashanah. A new page opens up in our lives. We can make a fresh break. All aspects of our life can start fresh: A new way to relate to G-d. New commitments to praying, to keeping kosher, to observing Shabbos. A new way to relate to our family – with joy, patience and understanding. And a new way to relate to friends and associates. This gift truly is priceless, if we can only appreciate, tap into it, and live with it. Enjoy, and have a sweet and happy New Year!!!