Happy Jewish New Year 5785
This week my Shabbat Shalom message coincide with Rosh Hashana, literally the head of the year, in the Jewish Calendar.
Whatever you celebrate, I wish you a year of sweetness, joy, and peace, laced with a few adventures. And, as is the tradition this time of year, I apologize if I wounded you in any way, or if I was not the friend you needed. I promise to bring our relationship into wholeness. Shabbat Shalom.
The Jewish New Year is not celebrated with champagne, balloons, or a midnight ball drop. It is a time of reflection about who we have been and wish to be. Rather than “resolving” to change, we start the new year by acknowledging our mistakes and reaching out to those we care about with an offer of “Teshuva..” This word means to turn, or return, which requires honesty and the courage to apologize for falling short, or wounding another. And so, I ask that you accept my apology and reach out so we can build a bridge to wholeness.
This year is especially challenging since Rosh Hashanah coincides with the first anniversary of the horrific attack by Hamas on innocent civilians. Over 1200 were barbarically tortured and killed, and 150 were captured and taken as hostages into the tunnels in Gaza. My heart breaks, and yet still fills with hope that somehow, in some miraculous way, we can all build bridges to wholeness.
And please, let me know if you enjoy these Shabbat Messages.
Shana tova