Sunday at sunset we begin Rosh haShannah. It is commonly referred to as the Jewish New Year.
However, it also is the beginning of the 7th month of the year, not the first month of the year.
So, I prefer to translate Rosh haShannah as the Head of Change. Rosh means head and shannah can mean to change or transform, as well as year.
I prefer calling Rosh haShannah the Beginning of Change because it is the beginning of a 22 day period of change that connects last year with this year and this year to next year.
It starts with Rosh haShannah which is a time to plant your intentions of who you want to be, and what kind of life do you want to have at this time.
I recommend you take some time between now and Monday to think about who you want to be at this time next year, what do you want to be doing, where do you want to be living, what kind of friends do you have.
Listen to the blowing of the Shofar (Ram’s horn) and let it break you out of your shell of stagnation. Then declare to the universe the type person you want to be at this time next year.
If you are really bold, you might even ask the Divine Creator, the one who knows everything having created everything, to be your guide for the coming year.
Do you think you can trust that the Master of the World will have your best interest in mind? If so, who would know the best path for you to become the new you of this time next year.
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About the Author
Shmuel Shalom Cohen spent 10 years studying Torah in Jerusalem. Six years ago, he started Conscious Torah to help Jews connect to their tradition in ways they didn’t think possible. Shmuel also started, and is the executive directory of Jewish Events Willamette-valley, a non-profit whose mission is to build Jewish community, pride, and learning. In his free time, Shmuel likes walks in nature, playing music, writing poetry, and time with good friends.