AmosL
09-06-2006, 10:35 AM
NEW YEAR GREETINGS
Amos Lassen
“L’shana tova tikatevu”—may G-d inscribe your name in the Book of Life for a good year---this is what we, as Jews, say to each other from sundown of the eve of the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which this year is September 22.
This year as we approach 5767 we have a lot to think about. We have had war in our homeland; the New Orleans Jewish community has been displaced and anti Semitism is still with us. We usher in the holy season with much on our minds. As we celebrate the Days of Awe during which we praise the sovereignty of God and our own soul searching to be better “shutaf Elohim”, partners with G-d, we must consider how we can make the world a better place.
Rosh Hashanah, our new year, is a holiday for joy and in order to be reminded of the sweetness of life and the hope for a good year, we dip apples in honey as part of a tangible prayer that the next year will be sweeter than the one that was. The sounds of the blowing of the shofar (the traditional ram’s horn)with its solemn tune sets the mood for deep introspection and focusing on our faith, acknowledging our personal weaknesses and contributing to the betterment of the communities in which we live.
Our reading from the Torah for the New Year is focused on Abraham and Sarah whom G-d called to “go forth” from all that they had known, all that was familiar to them and place their faith in G-d and to become the people that G-d had intended for them to be. We read how they were faced with the news that they will become parents at an old and mellow age. The Haftorah reading tells of Hannah who enters the Temple to plead with G-d for children, something she desperately wants. Her struggle and her passion to become the person she is called to be are taken in error by the Temple priest to be actions of a drunken heretic.
There is an additional meaning here. Abraham, Sarah, and Hannah were called to “go forth” from one identity to another. They were to “come out” to a new identity which G-d had created for them. G-d does not pretend that this will be an easy path and he blesses their lives with a deeper meaning when this “coming out” journey is made with G-d.
What a wonderful message this is!!!!!! It affirms that we are all created in the image of the Almighty. All of our identities were created by Him and are parts of His creation. Like Hannah, Abraham and Sarah, G-d calls us to “go forth” from what is familiar and travel with Him to come out as truly spiritual people.
With this responsibility you “come out” spiritually and this is our partnership with G-d. We must conduct ourselves in ethical ways and to work toward “tikkun olam”—repairing and improving our world and the lives of others.
Briefly this means that we must be ready to say “I love you”. “I am sorry” or to beg forgiveness. We must work to improve our communities, work for marriage equality, volunteer to help those living with HIV/AIDS, and help to make our streets safer. The key word for the year must be compassion and we must be aware of what is happening in the world around us.
“Tashlich”—casting away our burdens and weaknesses that prevent a more profound connection with each other, with G-d and our community should be on our minds as we face the season. We must all “come out” and accept ourselves and each other. This is how we can be assured of a sweet and good year.
As I look around my new home in Arkansas, I have so much to be thankful for but there is so much more I can do. This is my year to do all I have dreamed of. To all of you who have made me feel at home in Arkansas, I thank you sincerely and deeply. To those whom I have left, I miss all of you. But now is the time to come out to my new identity as an Arkansan and to work here so that things will be better for all of us. I close by wishing all of you, Jews and gentiles alike, a happy and prosperous New Year.
Amos Lassen
“L’shana tova tikatevu”—may G-d inscribe your name in the Book of Life for a good year---this is what we, as Jews, say to each other from sundown of the eve of the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which this year is September 22.
This year as we approach 5767 we have a lot to think about. We have had war in our homeland; the New Orleans Jewish community has been displaced and anti Semitism is still with us. We usher in the holy season with much on our minds. As we celebrate the Days of Awe during which we praise the sovereignty of God and our own soul searching to be better “shutaf Elohim”, partners with G-d, we must consider how we can make the world a better place.
Rosh Hashanah, our new year, is a holiday for joy and in order to be reminded of the sweetness of life and the hope for a good year, we dip apples in honey as part of a tangible prayer that the next year will be sweeter than the one that was. The sounds of the blowing of the shofar (the traditional ram’s horn)with its solemn tune sets the mood for deep introspection and focusing on our faith, acknowledging our personal weaknesses and contributing to the betterment of the communities in which we live.
Our reading from the Torah for the New Year is focused on Abraham and Sarah whom G-d called to “go forth” from all that they had known, all that was familiar to them and place their faith in G-d and to become the people that G-d had intended for them to be. We read how they were faced with the news that they will become parents at an old and mellow age. The Haftorah reading tells of Hannah who enters the Temple to plead with G-d for children, something she desperately wants. Her struggle and her passion to become the person she is called to be are taken in error by the Temple priest to be actions of a drunken heretic.
There is an additional meaning here. Abraham, Sarah, and Hannah were called to “go forth” from one identity to another. They were to “come out” to a new identity which G-d had created for them. G-d does not pretend that this will be an easy path and he blesses their lives with a deeper meaning when this “coming out” journey is made with G-d.
What a wonderful message this is!!!!!! It affirms that we are all created in the image of the Almighty. All of our identities were created by Him and are parts of His creation. Like Hannah, Abraham and Sarah, G-d calls us to “go forth” from what is familiar and travel with Him to come out as truly spiritual people.
With this responsibility you “come out” spiritually and this is our partnership with G-d. We must conduct ourselves in ethical ways and to work toward “tikkun olam”—repairing and improving our world and the lives of others.
Briefly this means that we must be ready to say “I love you”. “I am sorry” or to beg forgiveness. We must work to improve our communities, work for marriage equality, volunteer to help those living with HIV/AIDS, and help to make our streets safer. The key word for the year must be compassion and we must be aware of what is happening in the world around us.
“Tashlich”—casting away our burdens and weaknesses that prevent a more profound connection with each other, with G-d and our community should be on our minds as we face the season. We must all “come out” and accept ourselves and each other. This is how we can be assured of a sweet and good year.
As I look around my new home in Arkansas, I have so much to be thankful for but there is so much more I can do. This is my year to do all I have dreamed of. To all of you who have made me feel at home in Arkansas, I thank you sincerely and deeply. To those whom I have left, I miss all of you. But now is the time to come out to my new identity as an Arkansan and to work here so that things will be better for all of us. I close by wishing all of you, Jews and gentiles alike, a happy and prosperous New Year.