September 18, 2009

A sweet new year to all

The soup is cooking, the cakes are baked, and the chopped liver, gefilte fish and chicken are in the fridge for tonight's feast.

Rosh Hashanah means, literally, the "head of the year." Jews around the world celebrate the creation of the world at this season. One reason we celebrate the new year in the fall has to do with a play on words for Aleph b'Tishrei, the first of the month of Tishrei. It is a joyful time that begins the period of introspection called the Days of Awe, which culminate on Yom Kippur.

We will blow the shofar to awaken our souls, eat apples with honey in hopes for a sweet year, and cast off our sins into the water.

"On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed." May this be a year filled with joy and sweetness, health and happiness, peace and tranquility for all.

Happy 5770!

1 comment:

  1. Happy New Year to you and yours, Jill. Our church service begins with the sound of a shofar. I knew that it was a call to worship, but I like very much the idea that the sound of the shofar awakens our souls.

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