Shana Tova

Tonight at sundown begins the Jewish New Year. For those of us predisposed to making resolutions, the extra chance afforded by having two distinct new years is quite an opportunity. I have made my own very general resolution for this new year, and it's not necessarily for publication here. However, I look seriously to this new year, and hope that I can use it for good things.

Unlike the conventional (read: Christian) new year, Rosh HaShana is more of a reflective time than an unabashed celebration. It begins a ten-day penitential period which ends with the holiest day of our year, which is Yom Kippur. More on that (hopefully), as that date approaches. But Jews believe that on Rosh HaShana God determines the fate of every person, and that on Yom Kippur that fate is sealed. The days between offer us an opportunity to avert a severe determination by repenting genuinely for our sins. Taken literally or not, the concept is a good one--that true repentence can lead us to a better life.

Related to that notion, it's also common to apologize in person to those we have offended during the year. This is a more difficult task than it may seem. Oftentimes, people we've offended may be people we genuinely dislike. So to approach them to seek forgiveness can be, well, awkward. Other times, people we've offended may not be Jewish, or at all religious. Thus, a solemn request for forgiveness is likely to be met by a rolling of the eyes and some sense that we've gone a bit whacky. Nevertheless, it's something to strive for because forgiveness is healthy, in my opinion.

With the world in such turmoil, it's scary to stand at the beginning of a year--wondering what fate has in store of us. I've heard it say that everyone should pray because, you just never know, there might be a God. Well, I pray that the coming year brings more health to the sick, more rest to the weary, more strength to the weak, more humility to the strong and more peace to the world. More personally, I hope my family and friends all remain safe, healthy and happy.

Shana Tova.