On Monday night, we begin the new Jewish year of 5782. According to Jewish tradition, it has been five thousand, seven hundred, and eighty-two years since the world was created. Rosh Hashanah, therefore, commemorates the day the planet was first formed. Happy-almost-birthday, Earth!
Now, I say “according to Jewish tradition,” because our religious beliefs can be different from our scientific ones, and they actually don’t have to be pitted against one another. The Torah, as well as many subsequent generations of rabbinic scholars, is not trying to compete with or undermine the Big Bang Theory, Darwinism, or science in general. I’m happy to discuss this further with anyone, to help explain why Science and Creationism should NOT be seen as conflicting; I wholeheartedly feel it’s a misunderstanding of what each is saying. However, I’m not actually going to talk about any of that right now.
Instead, if you and I can agree that the Bible’s origin story isn’t about fact, archaeology, or proof… then what is it instead trying to say? What is the story of Creation - and our annual celebration of it with Rosh Hashanah - meant to teach us? Well, I mainly think it’s about the importance of new beginnings. It is SO important for all of us to take stock of our lives. Pick a moment, and it really could be *any* moment, and first delve into the past, then look at the present, and finally, gaze into the future. Engaging in a practice like this can absolutely help you grow as a human being.
Let's break each of those three down a bit further: Step 1, we examine the past (both the last year… and ideally unresolved issues from long before then), and ask ourselves what to keep, what to let go of, and what to simply make peace with. Step 2, our High Holidays also urge us to take stock of this moment, right now, with mindfulness, humility, self-compassion, and a fair measure of holding ourselves accountable. And step 3, we also reflect on where we are going, how we will one day be remembered, and what we want to leave behind. And armed with all these precious considerations, and hopefully some decisions and resolutions for each, we enter the year feeling cleansed, focused, and ready.
Well, that’s the ideal anyway. But it’s hard to follow all those steps, and do *all* that work! So maybe don’t start there. Just ask yourself, what can this new beginning mean FOR ME? Utilize this moment. Don’t miss this opportunity. (How many ways can I say this?) Be present! Open yourself up to change. Seize the day!!! Ok, I think you get what I’m saying. The point is, it’s Rosh Hashanah. It is the ultimate new beginning, the day on which the entire world was created from nothing! So how will this be a new beginning for you? What might you create, for yourself or someone else, seemingly out of nothing? Now is the time; don’t wait any longer.
Shanah Tovah - Happy New Year!
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