I love Rosh Hashanah. May seem a strange statement.
Who loves this solemn day of the year with most of the day spent in the Synagogue, praying and listening to the unremitting Shofar sound?
But I still wait for Rosh Hashanah. In fact, almost as soon as the two-day festival ends, I am waiting for next year’s Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah means New Year and as I
learned in Hebrew school years ago, we are judged on this holy day for our resolutions, the beginnings we plan, he failures we regret, the slip-ups we wish would never have happened, the star-ups that will bring us the personal feeling of accomplishment for which we all strive. If we want to be good, we are judged favorably.
I really feel the need for a Rosh Hashanah. Every machine needs to be evaluated from time to time to see if it is up to par. The best human plans are examined at intervals to see whether adjustments need to be made. For me, this is what Rosh Hashanah is all about. Can you imagine what our lives would be like without this special day? We would be frenziedly rushing through life like a racing car running along the highways without a driver.
Rosh Hashanah gives me an opportunity to refresh relationships with loved one in my immediate family – am I making them happy? As a good Jewish mother, am I contributing
to their welfare, caring for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs?
What about that annoying neighbor who barges into my home just when I want a bit of quiet and privacy?
And my friend – at least I thought she was my friend until I discovered that the private Facebook message I sent her went viral. My mother-in-law is another one who
needs a Rosh Hashanah for me to decide to be kinder and more considerate and to call her more often.
What about those work colleagues? Some of them I gave a cool shoulder to because I was sure they were talking about me behind my back. On Rosh Hashanah, I decide it is time for me to
take the initiative and be nice to them.
I try to vary my New Year resolutions each year but one of them keeps reoccurring with steady regularity – to greet every person with a cheerful smile even when you are feeling miserable.
Said one great man – your face is public property. Treat it accordingly!
For me as a home lover, the best way to get sailing on the renewal feeling is to treat myself to something new for the home in honor of Rosh Hashanah and the “new” spirit of this Festival.
Often, I get a new tableware item. My family knows already that Rosh Hashanah is the time when their Mam brightens up the table. I love to browse through aJudaica’s fantastic selection.
They have a fantastic choice and I always find something that makes the “new” point. Some years I take a honey dish, others a new Challah cover and this year I am daring and have treated
myself to a Kakadu Lazy Susan.
So, whichever way you choose to celebrate the newness of the New Year, I wish you all a heartfelt Shanah Tovah, a good sweet year filled with lots of good resolutions that will keep going
for a full twelve months.
Le’hitraot next Rosh Hashanah.
