September 26

The Days of Awe:

Never quite sure what to feel. It always struck me as silly, my entire childhood, the ritual of intense brushing and flossing mere hours before the dentist appointment after a season or two of utter neglect. As if the hygienist's shock of, "wow, they're so clean, I can't understand how you could have gotten so many cavities" would be some kind of victory. I suppose the motions are still the same, just the tactics more subtle and the stakes much higher. And yet, perhaps it is to be expected, or even more so, appreciated.

As these days approach, even more quickly than last year it seems, we Jews prepare with a month of Elul and her shofar blasts, ten days of Slichot (added prayers of penitence and poetry), and then the sheer awe of the lead-up. I suppose we can learn from Olympic athletes; although their nerves must have been strung out to no end, the sheer awe and exuberance of the opening ceremonies was glorious, and also surprisingly charged by the very same nerves.

So too Rosh Hashanah - a day that brings with it the greatest coronation ceremony in the world. Jews around the globe, throughout the portals of time, stand with trepidation and euphoria to coronate the King and give glory to Him and His people. There's no repentance on Rosh Hashanah, although there's judgment. But I'll let you in on a secret - we're being judged on where and how we place the crown. The personal stuff comes later - first, the opening ceremony. Eat well, sing songs of royalty, feel as if you've conquered the world, and lay praise at the source of spiritual oneness. It is not surprising we begin to behave better the closer we come. A running start of righteousness, repentance and resilience are just the things we need to match the mission of the day.

That's why it's the Rosh - or head - of the year. And why it coincides with the birthday of Man. As the intellect clarifies our purpose, our existence, Rosh Hashanah is both the yardstick and the celebration all wrapped in one. We have a custom of Simonim - or signs/symbols - where we partake of a vast array of foods and turn their names into blessings. Head games. We've been playing with quantum mechanics for millennium: how you see it, that's how it really is! An apple and honey becomes a blessing for a sweet new year, a carrot for greater spiritual accomplishment, a pomegranate for fulfilling mitzvoth, and a whole slew of options for obliterating our enemies (we've always been quite clever in this department). At last, a lamb's head (or fish for the squeamish) to become the head and not the tail. Think about that. The more you do, the more you're the Rosh.

Be Ahead. Be Above. Be Beyond. Happy birthday.

Shana Tova,

Rabbi Lynn