What Rosh Hashanah is not
transcribed by @feedyourneshama
The Ohr HaChaim says that the custom for one who faces judgement is to wear black, wrap oneself in mourning, and neglect his hair and fingernails because he has no idea what the outcome may be. But not the Jewish nation. When it comes to our day of judgment, Rosh HaShana, we wear white, groom our hair, eat, drink and sing songs.
If Rosh HaShana was really a day of doom and gloom we sure are doing a poor job at expressing it.
Rosh HaShana is so much more profound. It’s not a time where we hide from G-d it’s a time where we approach G-d.
You may have not noticed but this day of “judgement” is one the first day of the new year and not the last day of the past year because Rosh HaShana has nothing to do with our past and everything to do with our future which is why there is no mention of our past sins, or pleading for forgiveness in our prayers.
Rosh HaShana is a reality check. Do you believe there is more in you? It’s a day where we are reminded that we’re here because G-d placed us here. If we were under strict judgement we would never stand a chance. The fact that we’re here means that we have a purpose, a mission to fulfill.
Rosh HaShana comes to jolt us back into our responsibility of being the best version of ourselves. A day of new beginnings, of transformation as we literally are being re-created as Adam was on this day. It’s the time to crown Hashem by realigning our goals with His. It’s about desiring oneness with our King, our Creator. This is not a day to fear rather to embrace and be grateful that the Master of the Universe is investing in us as he sees our enormous potential that lies in us.
May we recognize that we’re an infinite spark of G-d, that we have the potential to accomplish anything we set our mind to and if you’re here, in a world that is so crowded with darkness and uncertainty, you have the spark, the ability to bring that light that we all so desperately need to find our way and make this world a much better place.
Shana Tova u’Metuka! 🍯
— Rabbi Reuven Ibragimov