L'shana tovah

Tonight at sunset is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year - 5770. L'shanah tovah or "for a good year" is a popular greeting you would hear at Synagogue tonight. The event I remember most vividly is the blowing of the shofar or rams horn, which sounds much like a trumpet.

Rosh Hashanah is one of the 'happy' holidays on the Jewish calendar - a celebration of things that make you smile and feel good. Dipping apples or even bread in honey to symbolize a wish for a sweet year is a common practice. Many holidays involve fasting or 'suffering' in remembrance of the tough times our ancestors had.

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days because, back in the days before Al Gore invented the Internet (wink), the Jewish Council sent messengers out into the country to identify when a new moon was observed. The Jewish calendar is lunar based containing either 29 or 30 days in each month. Apparently there was some time involved in this information dispersal so - being a happy time - they celebrated for two days. Besides, doesn't the moon appear to be New (or Full) for 2 or 3 days?

Like the American New Year, Rosh Hashanah is a time to make resolutions for a better life. One begins by looking back at past mistakes and planning changes for the new year. On the first afternoon, sins are symbolically cast off (tashlikh) by emptying our pockets into a flowing stream of water. No, no, no! You leave the money on the dresser but put small pieces of bread in your pockets instead. These ARE Jews, remember!

The next ten days are called the Days of Repentance. GOD has written our names in 'books' declaring what type of life we are each to have - and how long we live. We can influence GOD's decision with good deeds and repentance at this time - before the books are 'sealed' on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement and your 'last chance') - the most important holiday of the Jewish year.

With the changes forthcoming in my driving, I may need to change the title of this blog to "Nik's Soapbox" or something. I'm not sure how much of the USA I'll be seeing over the next few months. But I do intend to keep writing. I have received SO MUCH positive feedback from people and this is SO MUCH fun for me that I must continue. I have renewed contact with so many friends and family thru here that I can't stop.

May YOU be inscribed and sealed in GOD's book for a good year!