Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, begins
tonight. It's not like the secular New Year, with parties and noisemakers
and drinks.
Instead, for Jews around the world, the Holidays are a time to reflect -- a time of thanks and of self-assessment. We thank God for all the wonderful things He's given us and for Life itself. And we look at how we've behaved over the past year and where we've made mistakes. We ask God for forgiveness and for help and guidance to do better in the coming year.
In the end, it's very simply about doing the right thing -- treating others the way you would like to be treated. After all the symbolism and tradition, that's really what it boils down to. And that's what we all should strive for every day -- not only on the Holidays.
To all, no matter what your beliefs may be, best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Year.
L'shana tova. (Hebrew for "To a good year.")
originally posted Sept. 17, 2009... About the photo: Apples dipped in honey is the Ashkanazic traditional way to usher in what we hope will be "a sweet year."
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