I had the pleasure of discussing the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, New Year for Jews around the globe, with my children this morning. The celebration of the entry of another year, and our hope that it brings us much joy and happiness; that we taste the sweetness that life brings to us. Good times! It was nice to see that they were appreciative of the holiday and the joy surrounding it.
From another perspective, it is interesting that Jews celebrate the New Year before observing the Day of Atonement about 10 days later, Yom Kippur. Some would think that we should atone for the sins of the prior year before the beginning of the new year - to begin the year with a clean slate. Yet, to some degree, it serves as a reminder that, sin or no sin, life moves forward. New beginnings and new opportunities will arise, and we must strive to create those opportunities based on our past experiences, good or bad. Thus, the new year arrives, and with it, the sense of better results ahead. Yet, as we proceed down this different, and hopefully better course of action, God reminds us that we must look to the past to better understand how we intend to go forward.
So, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let us celebrate good times and the hope that we may experience better roads ahead. And, as Yom Kippur arrives late next weekend, let us further recall what has shaped us to this point, good or bad, and learn from those experiences, to better our Year!
What are you looking forward to in this New Year?
