Thoughts on the Jewish New Year
I was struck at a meeting today when my Jewish co-worker spoke a bit about the approaching Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
Apparently, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of 10 days of repentance. Followers take those 10 days to contemplate their sins from the past year and then throw them away. Many will actually throw bread into moving water like a river or the ocean to symbolize this disposing of sins.
According to my co-worker, it’s the start of a new page in one’s life. And although it’s traditionally about washing yourself of your sins, it’s a time to reflect on the good also.
I was thinking about this, and why wait to do this? Why be a Jew to do this? I think we should all take the time to reflect on what we’ve done that’s both good and bad. We shouldn’t dwell on it, but instead make sure we’ve learned all of the lessons we should have and move on.
In both a religious and non-religious context, it’s a way to cleanse the soul and the mind.
In the Jewish tradition, God forgives you for all and you start anew after Yom Kippur. But for the rest of us, why not forgive ourselves and start anew with ourselves?
