ROSH HASHANA

   During these days before Rosh Hashana,the constant refrain is "Change", or, better yet, it is time to do "Teshuvah". This concept is a meritorious one, but the fulfillment of being able to Change, for many, is not an easy task. In fact, in today's society I find that many are just not able to grasp the idea of improving themselves through Change and surely find great difficulty to begin the process of Teshuvah.

   For many, actions seem to be in total opposition to this idea of wanting to Changecertain aspects of one's behavior.  I asked a student why he wasn't applying himself more studiously to his school work, and his reply was simply, "Rabbi, Whatever.”  When I inquire of an adult regarding their actions and/or their situation in life, very often the reply is, "It is what it is". 

  Are these life's answers for everything, 'Whatever and It is what it is?' I hope not!

  These phrases are so negative and can be so damaging to our growth, our betterment, our Change and surely for our Teshuvah. 

   I once read that these answers can be referred to as " Tautophrasal Evasion",defined as, "I am not spending anymore effort on this matter, and nothing is going to change, so just get used to it." 

   I can just imagine this attitude when we go to a Doctor and we ask him, "What can we do about the situation?" and he responds, "Well, it is what it is". 

   These two responses, 'Whatever and It is what it is,' are the most devastating expressions in our human lexicon.  They make life so helpless and even hopeless. That is not what Judaism prescribes for life, especially during this period of beseeching the Almighty for a new year of health and prosperity. 

   Surely, we can say "Que sera, sera-Whatever will be, will be.” However, in doing so, we are taking our G-D given qualities and options to better ourselves, taking them out of our hands and thrusting them to the wind. This is not an option and I, personally, refuse to act this way. 

   As we prepare for Rosh Hashana, let us work to replace the "It is what it is" with "It will become what it ought to be". This is the true idea and directive to achieve the ultimate act of Teshuvah. 

    This is extremely true as we embark on a more observant road in our Judaic way of life and in the way we act to one another. Yes, we need to remove the oft time quoted words, "It is better than nothing", for that is just as bad as "It is what it is and whatever." 

  Now is the time to take responsibility for our actions. Now is the time that certain attitudes need to be changed. Now is the time for Teshuvah,  that will make our lives more meaningful and make us more responsible. 

     With these thoughts in mind, we can better understand the opening words of this week’s Torah reading.' You are standing, all of you, before Hashem", and then the Torahgoes on to enumerate everyone, from the leaders, to every member of the Jewish people. This is done to emphasize a most important idea in Yahadut, that when we stand before G-D , we are abe to see ourselves as equal, and not  to look upon one another  as more superior, for Hashem’s love of Am Yisrael, is one of inclusivity, and never exclusivity.

    It is with this feeling of togetherness, and brotherly love that we present ourselves to Hashem on Rosh Hashana, a time of V’tain Kavod L’amecha,  Bestowing honor on the Jewish People , as a unified and a United Jewish Nation. These are times that we must change our venue and begin to realize we are all together in the same boat of life and if we act inappropriately, to cause a hole to emerge in our Judaic Boat, it will only result in our failure.

 The beauty of life is to know we have G-Dgiven capabilities. Let us begin to use them as we approach this new year of 5780. Let it be a year of change and a year of improvement that will lead us to a year of Bracha and Yeshuah. 

      Wishing all my blog friends a year of  שנת חיים וטובים.