Hello everyone,

As today is erev Rosh haShanah (the day before the Jewish new year), I thought I would share a few thoughts.  A study partner of mine a couple of years ago observed that most people call Rosh haShanah, “Judgment day,” and when you think of a judgement day, you think of somber clothes and going to court and fear of what the verdict will be.  However, we look at Rosh haShanah as a day of joy and celebration with new clothes and special foods. What, are we crazy?

Well, no, we aren’t crazy.  Rather, as my study partner, Yaakov, shared with me, we should not look at Rosh haShanah as a day in court; we should look at it as an interview with god’s company.  God is running a business and on Rosh haShanah, we are going to him and telling him what we can do to help his business go.  Now, if what we share with him is in line with his plans, then we get a job like president with a direct line to god.  If we are not quite so in line with god’s business plan, we might wind up a janitor, only hearing what god says via other people or via memos.  This isn’t to say a janitor isn’t important, just that it is further away from direct access to the head of the business – god.

I took this idea a step further.  I say after Rosh haShanah, god accepts us into his business and puts us on probation.  During the 10 days of repentance, god then tests us, by giving us opportunities to do what we say we will do.  For example, if you tell god that this year, you will give more money to charity.  Well, during the 10 days, several panhandlers might find their way to you to see if you really are willing to give more money to charity.

But this is not just a test by god.  This is also an opportunity for us to evaluate what we are lacking in order to be successful in our new position in god’s company.  Perhaps we will discover that we need more patience.  Or in the example I used above, we might give out all our money and still find more things to give charity to.  And this leads us to Yom Kippur.  Yom Kippur now becomes a day to approach god and say, “You know, I really think I can do the job, but I need some help.  I want to give charity, but I don’t have enough money.  Or I need help learning how to be more patient, etc.”  If during the 10 days you have shown god you are sincere, and you are sincere in your requests for what you want to accomplish and what you need, over the course of the year, you will discover god provides you opportunities to acquire what you need, so you can grow and be successful in your undertakings for the year.

I wish everybody and happy and healthy and successful year,
Shanah tovah,

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.