(note: holiday begins sundown on Sept 18) Sept. 19-20 2009
Rosh
Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is much more than the celebration
of another year's passing. Rosh Hashana is, after all, a celebration
of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind's
relationship to the Creator. Fundamental to Judaism is the belief
in an active G-d who is involved in our lives like a caring parent.
G-d responds to our needs, but, at the same time, G-d also watches
us and assesses our actions. On Rosh Hashana, G-d metaphorically
closes out the year by reviewing the records of each person's
actions, judging each person's merits and faults, and setting
a verdict for the quality of each person's year to come. Rosh
Hashana is a day of judgment, we Jews therefore use the holiday
to reconnect with G-d and to reassess our own lives.
Rosh
Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is much more than the celebration
of another year's passing. Rosh Hashana is, after all, a celebration
of the very creation of the world and a recognition of humankind's
relationship to the Creator. Fundamental to Judaism is the belief
in an active G-d who is involved in our lives like a caring parent.
G-d responds to our needs, but, at the same time, G-d also watches
us and assesses our actions. On Rosh Hashana, G-d metaphorically
closes out the year by reviewing the records of each person's
actions, judging each person's merits and faults, and setting
a verdict for the quality of each person's year to come. Rosh
Hashana is a day of judgment, we Jews therefore use the holiday
to reconnect with G-d and to reassess our own lives.