DAYS OF AWE

L'Shana Tova
5772

"May all in Plain field be blessed with Peace, Prosperity, Health, and Responsible Government for the coming year."

Sunset Wednesday night marks the start of Rosh Hashana or Jewish New year. L'Shana Tova is the traditional greeting this time of the year. The above is a variation on the meaning of that greeting to be applicable to all who live here.

Rosh Hashana is celebrated as a two day holiday by the Orthodox and Conservative Jews. The Reformed congregations mainly regard it a one day holiday but have service the second day for those that wish. It is the beginning of the "Days of Awe' which end at sunset on Yon Kippur.

For those who would desire a greater understanding of significance of these Holy Days I have reprinted part of a description from the Internet. Otherwise I will see you Friday.

Would the world not be better if all, including those who just mouth the words ,adopted and practiced the concept set forth in the meaning of these days.

Days of Awe

The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur.

One of the ongoing themes of the Days of Awe is the concept that G-d has "books" that he writes our names in, writing down who will live and who will die, who will have a good life and who will have a bad life, for the next year. These books are written in on Rosh Hashanah, but our actions during the Days of Awe can alter G-d's decree. The actions that change the decree are "teshuvah, tefilah and tzedakah," repentance, prayer, good deeds (usually, charity). These "books" are sealed on Yom Kippur. This concept of writing in books is the source of the common greeting during this time is "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

Among the customs of this time, it is common to seek reconciliation with people you may have wronged during the course of the year. The Talmud maintains that Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible.