Rosh Hashanah Is Coming!
We face a judgment during these Days of Awe.
Judgment sounds daunting and negative. Why does God judge us every year?
An answer is nestled in another name that Rosh Hashanah has. In the Machzor it is called Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembrance. On Rosh Hashanah, as we stand before God all the moments of the past year — the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly – the ones we remember and the ones we forget, all of them are right there, in living color, before God who forgets nothing. On Rosh Hashanah every moment is remembered, looked at and judged.
God’s judgment isn’t to exact revenge. His judgment means that He cares about everything we do. Our actions matter. Through judgment, God makes us aware that our choices make a real difference. Our lives are significant; we are responsible for shaping the world. And that meaning and responsibility is a tremendous cause for celebration.
Let’s get ready for Rosh Hashanah by living a little better today than yesterday. Let’s make sure to perform some kindness, study some Torah and take our next step in growth, whatever it may be. And let’s look in the mirror and see where we are guilty and resolve to do better.
