Three weeks ago we marked Rosh Hodesh Elul with the blowing of the Shofar. This blast was a reminder that the season of repentance had begun, and that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were not far off. The Shofar blast was also a call to repentance (teshuvah), reminding us that the holidays require real change, not just the superficialities that can be accomplished in one or two days. As we approach Rosh Hashanah we should think about past mistakes and omissions, and consider how we can do better for ourselves, our families, our people and the world in the coming year.
This period of change and growth should not be only internal and personal. Rather, it should be also be a time of tikkun, of repair. Too often our mistakes separate us from family and community, building walls of hostility that are very difficult to break down. Indeed, we have hurt those we loves, and in turn have been hurt by them. This holiday season is a time to break down these walls, to effect tikkun for our families and community.
This tikkun requires our reaching out to repair the damage that we have done, and also to reach out in forgiveness for those who have hurt us. Rosh Hashanah provides a yearly opportunity, if we are willing to grasp it, to rebuild the relationships that are so important and central to our existance.
Our tradition teaches that all creation, when understood correctly, all creation reflects the absolute unity of the Divine. When we are seperated from our community and those we love this unity is fractured. The holiday season is a time to restore this unity and to see God in everyone and everything that we meet.
On behalf of Shelley and myself, I want to wish everyone Shanah Tovah U'mitukah -- a sweet and happy new year.
Rabbi David A. Kunin
This period of change and growth should not be only internal and personal. Rather, it should be also be a time of tikkun, of repair. Too often our mistakes separate us from family and community, building walls of hostility that are very difficult to break down. Indeed, we have hurt those we loves, and in turn have been hurt by them. This holiday season is a time to break down these walls, to effect tikkun for our families and community.
This tikkun requires our reaching out to repair the damage that we have done, and also to reach out in forgiveness for those who have hurt us. Rosh Hashanah provides a yearly opportunity, if we are willing to grasp it, to rebuild the relationships that are so important and central to our existance.
Our tradition teaches that all creation, when understood correctly, all creation reflects the absolute unity of the Divine. When we are seperated from our community and those we love this unity is fractured. The holiday season is a time to restore this unity and to see God in everyone and everything that we meet.
On behalf of Shelley and myself, I want to wish everyone Shanah Tovah U'mitukah -- a sweet and happy new year.
Rabbi David A. Kunin