Table Talk from the desk of Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld
September 15-17, 2023 • 1-2 Tishrei 5784 • Rosh Hashanah (Gen 21-22).
The purpose of this email is to put first things first!...please share.
The purpose of this email is to put first things first!...please share.
Here it is - your final Table Talk of the year.
What a year it has been. So much accomplished, yet so much remaining to be done.
Last week you may recall I proposed a new wave to universally sweeten the new year for everyone - a simple New Year's "resolution" that if everyone took it on the world would be a better place.
Today, here's a conundrum to ponder while dipping apples into honey tonight.
Unlike the secular calendar that celebrates "New Year's Day" on the first day of the first month, on the Jewish calendar, our Rosh Hashanah is actually the first day of the .... seventh month.
(Yes, it is counter-intuitive but is accurate. The month that begins tonight - Tishrei - is the seventh month.)
For question for your table: How does that possibly make sense?
(Here's a hint: if Tishrei is the seventh month, which is the first month?)
And even if your answer is, "I don't know," you can tackle this next question: What does that fact tell us about what Rosh Hashana is - or is not?
After everyone at the table contemplates, you may want to share with them the rabbi's answer: It tells us that Rosh Hashanah:
(a) is not a random day on the solar calendar marking another trip around the sun.
(b) is a day infused with "seven-ness" - completion, worldliness, humanity.
It's a day to re-orient ourselves to our human-mission: Why am I here? Why should I care about the prospect of another year of life?
Use Rosh Hashanah to dream big - to imagine what you could become. That's the most humane of all holidays.
+ + + + +
The Days of Awe have three pillars: teshuvah, tefilah, tzedakah. If you enjoy this weekly email from time to time, please consider showing your love by giving $1.00 a week as a tax-deductible tzedakah donation. Your contribution will support cutting-edge Jewish educational programs, including:
... and of course this weekly email. Writing and sending this email incurs actual costs, so please help us help you by making your annual contribution today:
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If you are already a sustaining member, thank you!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a Shana Tova - May you and yours be inscribed in the Book of Life for a healthy, happy, and holy 5784.
Alexander Seinfeld
PS - If you click the top image, you'll receive a RH treat from yours, truly...
What a year it has been. So much accomplished, yet so much remaining to be done.
Last week you may recall I proposed a new wave to universally sweeten the new year for everyone - a simple New Year's "resolution" that if everyone took it on the world would be a better place.
Today, here's a conundrum to ponder while dipping apples into honey tonight.
Unlike the secular calendar that celebrates "New Year's Day" on the first day of the first month, on the Jewish calendar, our Rosh Hashanah is actually the first day of the .... seventh month.
(Yes, it is counter-intuitive but is accurate. The month that begins tonight - Tishrei - is the seventh month.)
For question for your table: How does that possibly make sense?
(Here's a hint: if Tishrei is the seventh month, which is the first month?)
And even if your answer is, "I don't know," you can tackle this next question: What does that fact tell us about what Rosh Hashana is - or is not?
After everyone at the table contemplates, you may want to share with them the rabbi's answer: It tells us that Rosh Hashanah:
(a) is not a random day on the solar calendar marking another trip around the sun.
(b) is a day infused with "seven-ness" - completion, worldliness, humanity.
It's a day to re-orient ourselves to our human-mission: Why am I here? Why should I care about the prospect of another year of life?
Use Rosh Hashanah to dream big - to imagine what you could become. That's the most humane of all holidays.
+ + + + +
The Days of Awe have three pillars: teshuvah, tefilah, tzedakah. If you enjoy this weekly email from time to time, please consider showing your love by giving $1.00 a week as a tax-deductible tzedakah donation. Your contribution will support cutting-edge Jewish educational programs, including:... and of course this weekly email. Writing and sending this email incurs actual costs, so please help us help you by making your annual contribution today:
If your donation is in honor or memory of someone, please let us know.
If you are already a sustaining member, thank you!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a Shana Tova - May you and yours be inscribed in the Book of Life for a healthy, happy, and holy 5784.
Alexander Seinfeld
PS - If you click the top image, you'll receive a RH treat from yours, truly...
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