By Mindy Rubenstein, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tonight begins the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana, which literally translates from Hebrew to mean "head of the year." Like the secular New Year, which is a time to make resolutions, it's a time for Jewish people to take account of their lives and really think about what they'd like to improve.
Although we have festive meals and dip apples in honey for a sweet new year, it's also a serious time for Jews. The next week and half are called the Days of Awe — it's a time of judgment by God, and it's our chance to show that we are sorry for misdeeds of the past year and are prepared to do better.
The rabbis say that one moment of true repentance, even just within our own thoughts, is enough to truly start anew.
To be honest, I haven't used the past few weeks to prepare spiritually. I've thought about it here and there, things I could be doing better. My time lately has been focused primarily on being a mom.
I'm starting to see behaviors and attitudes in my children that I recognize in myself — they are like a mirror into my own soul. And some of what I see I don't like. My husband and I have decided that it's time to take a deep accounting of ourselves as parents, and as people.
My biggest goal right now is to be more present, to not be so distracted, and to create a calm, loving atmosphere at home.
This sort of transformation, or maybe even awakening, just so happens to have coincided with the Jewish New Year, the Hebrew month of Elul — a natural, almost divine time to be making changes.
It's not easy to realize you've made mistakes and then go on to make improvements. It's two steps forward, one step back, and sometimes the other way around. I have to constantly remind myself of the behaviors and thoughts I want to change.
Since taking care of children is a mother's priority, I may not get to spend much time this year sitting in synagogue, reading from a prayer book.
But we'll share meals with friends and family, hear the haunting sounds of the shofar, which serves as a spiritual wakeup call, and dip our food in honey for a good, sweet new year.
Jews throughout the Tampa Bay area, and around the world — even if they do nothing else religiously throughout the year — are likely taking a moment in the next couple of days to think and look within. It's difficult to ignore the importance, and potential, that comes with this time of year.
But what better time to make a fresh start, no matter how small that first step may be.
Mindy Rubenstein can be reached at mindy.rubenstein@yahoo.com.