September/October 2024

Our two great high holy days of awe (5785) must give us pause to take private time for a religious purpose. Unlike almost all other holidays there is no historical context; no "others" to distract us. There are no Babylonians, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, et cetera. This is a time for our annual "vision" check and it's all about you and me.

Our tradition requires us to examine our lives on three levels and from three different perspectives. "How do we treat other human beings?" "What have we done in this past year to help the needy and less fortunate?" This is known as the "outward" look. Our second perspective takes us on an inner journey. "Is there any wholeness in our lives?" "Any integrity?" "What of our hypocrisies?" Exactly what do we tell ourselves?

The third viewpoint is our heavenly gaze. What about God?

We need to take this time to recheck our vision, refocus, refine and purify our intentions for the year ahead; a new year for which we pray. These days are reserved exclusively for intense introspection; a time to examine the self. We review the year that we have been privileged to live and pray for the new year to come.

We must examine the core values which shape our thoughts, guide our actions, and determine our interactions. This is also a time to confess our sins, our influence upon others and how we have impacted the quality of life of our family, friends, neighbors and the world. These Holidays take us on a spiritual quest; a journey to a new year of life and blessings.

L'Shannah tova,

Rabbi Brandwein