F2: Rosh HaShanah & Yom Kippur

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Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Can we say sorry to God for upsetting or hurting other people? Yes, but only after we have asked them for forgiveness. First we must apologise to them and only after that can we try and change the way we will treat them in the future through the process of Teshuvah. This is why it is customary to think about who you may have offended in the days leading up to Yom Kippur, admit to them that you were wrong, say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness. Likewise, people may ask you to forgive them and if they are sincere you should accept their apology. Simply saying sorry can be very embarrassing, but it is ultimately appreciated by everyone involved.

Choosing Life II

It used to be a popular T-shirt, but how can we really "Choose life"? The origin of the phrase is actually the Torah, near the end:

"Look, today I set before you life & good, and death & evil...choose life!" (Deuteronomy 30:15,19)

Choosing life is more than deciding not to starve or be suicidal in some other way. Choosing life means being aware that you have a choice and that it makes a real difference what you choose. Everything you do has consequences for your life. That's why the Torah says that life and death are "set before you". Both paths are available and you must choose which one to go down. Rosh Hashanah is the day designed to make that choice and Teshuvah is how we put it into practice.

Back to Life: Sukkot

The tremendous importance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur makes them very serious indeed. Jews do not look forward to these days because they mean facing up to deep issues that are normally kept hidden away. But if we try and experience fully these awesome days, if we spend them soul searching and analysing ourselves, then after they are over, Judaism gives us a fast way back into the world... Sukkot! Sukkot starts four days after Yom Kippur and is the most lively and fresh festival in the calendar. It gives us a chance to put into action everything we have thought about on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Here are two examples:

The Sukkah - temporary tent like structure that we sit and eat in for seven days. The roof is partially covered with leaves so we can see the sky. Living outside, near nature, we experience life at first hand. Leaving the comfort of your home can wake you up to the world around you, it makes you value and appreciate the life you have.

Lulav & Etrog - two of four natural plants that are shaken together during the synagogue service on Sukkot. These must be fresh and beautiful, signifying our return to life.

The Jewish month of Tishrei turns out to be a mini lesson in life: we start with the mind and end with the body. We learn to think and care and then we put our thoughts and feelings into action.

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