Ceremony and Celebration Family Edition, The Hagim, Rosh HaShana, Rosh HaShana in a Nutshell
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The ten days that begin on Rosh HaShana and end with Yom Kippur are an intense period of preparation that leads us to the holy of holies of Jewish time, Yom Kippur. On the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, we can almost feel God’s presence and sense His closeness. For although we know that God is always close to us, we do not always feel close to Him. He is always to be found, but we do not always seek Him out. The atmosphere in the synagogue is intense and serious (and for those who are unable to experience Rosh HaShana shul services, it is our challenge to find the spiritual energy to replicate this atmosphere in our own homes).
On Rosh HaShana, God judges the whole world and decides its fate for the coming year. It is as if the world has become a courtroom. God Himself is the Judge. The shofar announces that the court is in session, and we are on trial, giving an account of our lives. If taken seriously, this is a potentially life-changing experience. It forces us to ask the most fateful questions we will ever ask:
Who am I?
Why am I here?
How shall I live?
How have I lived until now?
How have I used God’s greatest gift: time?
Whom have I wronged, and how can I put it right?
Where have I failed, and how shall I overcome my failures?
What is broken in my life and needs mending?
What chapter will I write in the Book of Life?
These are days of reflection and introspection when we stand in the presence of God and acknowledge how short and vulnerable life really is, and how little time we have here on earth.
There is no time to waste to become the very best people we can be!
Points to Ponder
- Aren’t these questions we should ask ourselves every day? Why especially now on Rosh HaShana?
- Does the recognition that life is short help or hinder the way you live your life?
- Ask yourself these nine questions now. Do you have answers?