| Danny Raphael on Rosh Hashanah |
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According to Kabbalah (the Jewish mystical tradition), Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the new year, is the day that all of existence, was conceived, in both senses of the word.
It is also a day of 'din', usually crudely translated as 'judgement', but a more full appreciation of 'din', and the accompanying concept of 'zechirah' (mindfulness), suggests that Rosh Hashanah is really about an attuned sensitivity to the interconnectedness of all Creation. And so, Rosh Hashanah is a day when we acknowledge the true oneness of all things, and we play our part in restoring the Universe to its rightful state, which is a crucial part of our process of teshuvah - re-turning to our own truest and highest and deepest selves. Hence, according to the traditional liturgy, Rosh Hashanah is also a day of 'malchut' (sovereignty) when we 'crown' the Creator as sovereign over all existence. And so, we blow the shofar (the ram's horn) to declare the true nature of all being - one, unified, entity, and also to remind ourselves of reality, to awaken ourselves to our true potential. Rosh Hashanah literally means 'the head of the year', and it is in many senses like a seed, a microcosm from which our year will grow. May we all be blessed to enjoy this opportunity to question, refine and to re-focus on our highest, deepest goals for life, whatever they may be. |
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