I am
both happy and sad to see this year come to a close and the next one begin.
There have been some great times of celebration and also moments that I wish we could forget. It has been a year of polar opposites that has left many of us tired and
longing to begin anew… to have a fresh start… to enjoy another chance at seeing
the calendar change with only joy filling the previous months. Next year, I
hope.
Interestingly,
the Rosh Hashanah holiday contains the same paradox as that which I feel when
looking back over the year. As is posted on the Aish
website:
“The holiday of Rosh Hashanah contains a paradox.
On the one hand, we are taught that Rosh Hashanah is the judgment day of
mankind. The righteous are granted another year of life, the wicked are slated
for destruction, and the average are given until Yom Kippur to mend their ways
and merit another year (Talmud Rosh Hashanah 16b).
“We should be begging G-d for another year of
life in the hope we can influence our judgment for the better. G-d’s court is
convened. Our books are open. This is our big chance to pray for life.”
In addition to
restarting the relationships we have for others through the admission of our
faults, sins, and wrongdoings, we also make the same plea to G-d for
forgiveness. While I can’t honestly say that I am one to give a clean slate to
some people, I do my best to admit my mistakes and try my hardest to move past
the wrongdoings of others. This is definitely easier said than done.
However, one of the
things that has become more apparent to me over this past year in general and
over the past couple of weeks in particular is the need that we have, my wife
and I, to reconnect with G-d and the Jewish community in general. We need to do
this not just for ourselves but, more importantly, for our son. We want him to
know the world and his creator, we want him to understand and embrace all the
aspects of faith, family, love, and life that make him who he is and make him
such a precious gift in this world. After all…
“The purpose of the world is that mankind recognizes
G-d and makes the world a reflection of His glory. G-d judges each of us on
Rosh Hashanah not just based on our deeds, but based on how much we were a part
of that grand mission. By identifying with and praying for G-d’s kingship to be
revealed, we demonstrate that we want to be a part of the world’s purpose. We
restart our relationship with G-d and redevote ourselves to Him. True, we might
not have been perfect this past year, but we know what the world is about and
we want to be a part of it. We want another year of life. We want to make the
world a better place.”
Basically,
I want him to not have the long list of things at the end of the year for which
to ask for forgiveness like his father. I want him to not only have every
opportunity in life but the confidence, conviction, faith, love, and support to
take advantage of those opportunities. I want him to forever be a gift unto the
world regardless of the path he chooses to take in life. I just want him to be
a better man than I have thus far proven to be in this life and not look back
with the same regrets. This is what I hope this and every new year brings.
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