Shana Tova: A Good and Sweet New Year
You all haven’t heard from me in a while. I regret that. Since this is the season for asking for forgiveness, I want to ask forgiveness for my neglect in posting. Gd willing, with a new year, new priorities and a new schedule, we can explore the Jewish year together through this blog at Families.com.
You may have heard of the traditions of Rosh Hashana. We hear the shofar in the synagogue. The shofar is meant to rouse our hearts to repentance. We prepare to meet and crown the King who is the King of Kings, Hashem. We also eat sweet foods on Rosh Hashana and the head of a fish, so that we will be at the head and not at the tail. On Rosh Hashana, the entire world is judged, and certain things, like the amount of money one will make or whether someone will live or pass away are decided on this special day, which is like appearing in court. Therefore, a respectful attitude pervades all of the celebrations, a feeling of awe. At the same time, we are supposed to dip apple in honey to represent our confidence that we will be exonerated and our sins will be forgiven on Yom Kippur.
An interesting Kabbalistic thought. This is from Schneur Zalman of Liadi, author of the Tanya. It is said that the eyes of Hashem are upon the Land of Israel “from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.” But this is puzzling, because the end of one year signals the beginning of the new year. What is the distinction?
A new light descends on Rosh Hashanah that never existed in the world before. This is a divine light that illuminates all of creation. The light from the past year ascends to Heaven on the afternoon before Rosh Hashana, and the new light descends on the day itself.
So let us merit to receive this light and to spread it to others. And to resolve to do more good deeds in the coming year.
Shana tova metuka
Good and sweet New Year.