Figuring Out Rosh Hashana

Dedicated to Chanan Velvel ben Bryna who needs a speedy recovery.

We have had a great response to the live, interactive web-based Rosh Hashana class on Labor Day. The primary topic will be relationships - How RH and YK can be used to fix 'em. Send an email to sign up.

The other day I was visiting a friend who recently moved into a new home.

As I was leaving, stepping outside into the sunshine, a woman happened to be walking down the sidewalk.

“Good morning,” she said.

“Good morning,” my friend said.

“I’m Mrs. So-and-So from across the street.”

“Pleased to meet you…”

“You know, I seem to be locked out of my house. I went for a walk and I think my husband may have locked the dead-bolt. May I possibly use your phone?”

“Absolutely!”

Moral of the story: You can’t choose your neighbors, but you can choose your neighborhood. Some people choose a home based on the house. Others choose to live in a neighborhood with soul-mates around.

(Do you know what I mean by "soul-mates", as opposed to "nice people"?)

If you were reading this blog last year (or even last week and clicked on the video), you heard me make the radical suggestion not to go to synagogue on Rosh Hashana (if going there is not uplifting for you).

Some people thought I was joking. I was not.

Someone objected that if you stay home, you miss out on the social part, the once-a-year chance to feel like you belong to some kind of Jewish community.

Here is your double-header TT question of the week –

1) On a scale of 1-10, how important is the personal spiritual experience of Rosh Hashana?
2) On a scale of 1-10, how important is the social-communal experience?

Don’t tell me they’re equal – Most people have to choose one or the other.

If you would like personalized suggestions on where to go in your community that may nurture both needs, send an email.

If you answered higher than “5” to either question – what are you going to do about it in the coming year (5,770)?

You have exactly 2 weeks to decide.

Shabbat Shalom


PS – Part 2 of the Seinfeld Rosh Hashana series:



Thomas Edison Quote of the Day:
I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.