A Glorious Beginning: 5766

Many of us can relate to hearing something over and over for years at a time, and not really understanding its message, or application to our own lives. There are times when the light-bulb illuminates brightly inside of us, and we actually hear something for the first time. The glow that surfaces reminds us that we are still teachable, and can aspire to even greater levels, higher plains of understanding. At least this has been the case for me on this Rosh Hashana.

Every year, for the past three years, I go 'synagogue hopping.' On the first day, I go to a service close by our home, but for the second day, I go to hear a very special Rosh Hashana service with Rabbi Joseph Teluskin. The venues change, and this year, the intimate setting was inside a stunning art-deco room at a historic hotel in holiday. Armed with an arsenal of old ideas, but an open mind to look at everything with a fresh, focused eye, I walked into services this year feeling particularly uplifted. As the intoxicating sound of that glorious ram's horn awakens each one of us from our sleep, I heard something this year that took on a new meaning me as the sun was setting, but the light burned brightly from the inside. Life comes to each of us as we live it from day to day, with all its joys, troubles, pitfalls and glories. For each day, there is the potential to experience joy, laughter, pain and suffering. But it is through repentance, prayer and good deeds that the severity of these decrees can be lessened or increased (at least this is how I saw it this year.) When we stay outside of ourselves, come closer to God, and our fellow men and women through prayer, repentance and just acts, we are more likely to lead a more joyful life. Does this sound familiar to many? Surely some who are familiar with the twelve step programs of AA or NA know this principles, that tell us that when we turn our lives and will over to the care and direction of God, and trust Him, that we live with a more peaceful heart and quiet mind. Furthermore, when we get outside of ourselves by doing good deeds for others, we also are able to attain a higher level of peace and serenity.

To me, this year, the great messages of Rosh Hashana are ones that I have known, but not truly practiced, all along: that if I am able to look at myself, see my part in any given situation, with honesty and an open-mind, make amends (ask for forgiveness from others, self and God), and then pray, do good for others, then I am given the ability to lead a richer, peaceful and more satisfying life each and every day. Moreover, it is entirely possible to have God be a part of my daily life, not just here for the highs or lows of life, provided that I am open to this experience.

Now, as the ten days of repentance begin, so too does an inner awakening, a new start and beginning inside the journey of self and life.

Thank you for your minds.