By Rabbi
Kalman Packouz
GOOD MORNING! Rosh Hashana begins Monday evening, September 17th! Many Jews all over the world are rushing to make sure that they have places reserved in their synagogues. I am reminded of the story of the person who had to deliver a very important message to a man in synagogue on Rosh Hashana. The usher wouldn't let him in because he didn't have a ticket. "Please, I just need a moment to tell him the message!" "No way!" says the usher, "No ticket, no entrance!" "Please," begs the man, "I promise ... I won't pray!"
Q & A: WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF ROSH HASHANA AND HOW DO WE OBSERVE IT?
Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. Unlike the secular New Year which
is celebrated in many parts of the "civilized" world by partying,
drinking to excess and watching a little ball descend a tower in Time
Square, the Jewish New Year is celebrated by reflecting upon the past,
correcting one's mistakes, planning for the future, praying for a healthy
and sweet year and celebrating with holiday meals.
Rabbi Nachum Braverman writes, "On Rosh Hashanah we make an accounting
of our year and we pray repeatedly for life. How do we justify another
year of life? What did we do with the last year? Has it been a time of
growth, of insight and of caring for others? Did we make use of our time,
or did we squander it? Has it truly been a year of life, or merely one
of mindless activity? This is the time for evaluation and rededication.
The Jewish process is called "teshuva," coming home - recognizing
our mistakes between ourselves and God as well as between ourselves and
our fellow man and then correcting them."
On Rosh Hashana we pray that we are inscribed in the Book of Life for
life, for health, for sustenance. It is the Day of Judgment. Yet, we celebrate
with festive meals with family and friends. How can we celebrate when
our very lives hang in balance? Ultimately, we trust in the kindness and
mercy of the Almighty ... that He knows our heart and our intentions and
with love and knowledge of what is best for us, will accordingly grant
our decree.
At the festive meal held on both nights of Rosh Hashana it is customary
to dip the Challah, specially braided bread, as well as an apple, into
honey symbolizing our hopes for a sweet year. There is a custom to eat
various Symbolic Foods -- primarily fruits and vegetables -- each one
preceded by a request. For instance, before eating a pomegranate, "May
it be Your will ... that our merits increase like (the seeds of) a pomegranate."
Many of the requests are based on "plays on words" between the
name of the food and the request. Since these "plays on words"
are lost on many who don't know Hebrew, there are those who have added
their own requests. My favorite: before eating a raisin on a celery stick,
"May it be Your will ... that I receive a raise in salary."
Another custom is Tashlich, a symbolic casting off of transgressions.
It is done this year on Wednesday after the Mincha, or afternoon prayers.
Remember -- these symbolic acts help you relate to what you need to do
in life, to awaken your emotions and passions; they are not an end in
themselves. It is worthwhile to get a copy of the Rosh Hashana Yom Kippur
Survival Kit to get a better understanding of the holiday, the prayers,
the prayer services and the opportunity that is afforded to you to grow
in spirituality, to come closer to the Almighty, to perfect yourself and
to perfect the world! It is available from your local Jewish bookstore
or by calling toll-free 877-758-3242.