Rosh Hashanah
Gen. 21:1-21

Today is Rosh Hashanah. Although it is called the "Jewish New Year", it really serves as a summons for us to appear before God. In the Bible it is one of the appointed feasts of Israel . In Lev. 23:23-25 it is called a feast of remembrance by the blowing of trumpets. According to the Sages of Israel, the sound of the shofar is a call for us to wake up from our slumber and prepare to meet with God. This preparation period, which lasts for ten days, means taking into account our relationship with God. Are we close to Him? Do we feel distant from God? Are we participating in activity that we know is wrong? Have we wronged others? Do we need to ask forgiveness? What is the judgement of God? How powerful is He? These are the questions that we must ask. These are the issues that are to be dealt with, beginning in Rosh Hashanah.

I have always viewed the High Holy Day season as a journey of remembrance (Rosh Hashanah), repentance (Yom Kippur) and restoration (Sukkot). For our journey this year, I have chosen the theme of Choose God and live . These were the words of Moses to the children of Israel as he concluded his remarks to them just before his death. We will discuss the struggle as well as the victory in choosing God. In addition we will learn what "choosing God" means not only to us but to the world around us. We will also learn of ways that will help us to "choose God" as a lifestyle. Finally we will discuss what it means to "live".

The Torah portion for Rosh Hashanah is Gen. 21-22 featuring the birth of Isaac and the obedience of both Abraham and Isaac in taking the journey up Mt. Moriah . We see in this Torah passage, both the struggle and victory in "choosing God". We see the source and quality of life of those who do indeed choose God. Hopefully, in both the birth of Isaac and the obedience of father and son we see ourselves and the choices we make in life. A lifestyle of choosing God is cultivated over time and leads to great victory and faithfulness.

As we hear the sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, may we be awakened from our slumber so we can choose God and live!

L'Shanah Tovah.