Rosh Hashanah

This is the Jewish New Year, celebrating what Jewish tradition considers the birthday of the universe.

Unlike the American New Year, which is observed with parties and celebrations, Rosh Hashanah is a time of contemplation, repentance, and spiritual purification.

This afternoon, Jews will go to a body of water to perform the Tashlikh ceremony during which they ceremonially cast their sins into the water. They will spend much of the day in their synagogue, followed by special feasts in the evening.

Observant Jews will then mark the following days as the Ten Days of Repentance, concluding with Yom Kippur, when they gather in their synagogue for twenty-five hours of fasting and prayer. This entire period is known as the High Holidays.

As one Jewish website notes, “The season of the High Holidays is a time for an epic journey for the soul, and Rosh Hashanah is where it all begins.”

As the Jewish people spend this week in contemplation and repentance, we would be wise to join them, for their sake and for ours as well.

The hour is urgent. Tomorrow is promised to none.