Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Rosh Hashanah

Today marks the end of of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  A celebration of the creation of man.  The Book of Life has been opened, and the Lord is transcribing our fates, though that fate has not yet been sealed.

In tradition, this is the Day of Judgment, starting the High Holy days leading into Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.  Over the coming ten days, Jews are called to repentance.  These are the ten days of repentance or ten days of awe.  A time to focus on repentance, prayer, and charity.

Oh, if we all could focus on those themes.  Imagine what the world would look life if all humanity focused on repentance, prayer or meditation, and charity for ten days.

We are all being called to repentance.  Called to discard our old selves.  The earthly flesh dragging us down.  Our worry, our fear, our guilt, our heartache, our shame, our hurt.  To turn from the road that us brought these into our lives and to begin the path the Lord is leading us on.

We have the ability to take on His yoke, to take His rest.  For our souls to be restored.

Wouldn't this be a great time for restoration?

What keeps us from it?

Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from all the peoples, hallowing us with mitzvot. In Your love, Adonai our God, You have given us this Day of Remembrance, to hear the sound of the Shofar, to unite in worship, and to recall the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us from all the peoples, consecrating us to Your service, and Your word is truth eternal. Praised is the Sovereign God, Sovereign of all the world, who hallows the House of Israel and the Day of Remembrance.

Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

L'Shana Tovah!

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