Key Jewish festival a time of opportunity and prayer
OF all the Jewish festivals, Rosh Hashanah is unique in that it heralds in the beginning of the new Jewish year. However, when it
comes to the translation of Rosh Hashanah, many people make a common error. They assume that the words “Rosh Hashanah” translated from Hebrew to English mean “the beginning of the year”.
However, a more accurate translation would be “the head of the year”.
This difference is not mere semantics or grammar but rather provides us with a paradigm shift and a new understanding of what Rosh Hashanah really is.
Ask any computer specialist and they will tell you that the CPU (central processing unit) is the “head” ie the brain, of the computer.
The better the CPU, the better the computer.
A CPU of lesser stature limits functionality.
Thus, the CPU plays a prominent role in determining the capacity of the computer. Once the CPU is installed, the computer’s capabilities are fixed and it is difficult and expensive to modify the computer later.
Just as the CPU determines the nature of the computer, so too, Jewish wisdom tells us that Rosh Hashanah determines the nature of the forthcoming year.
Rosh Hashanah, being the “head” of the year, affords us a remarkable opportunity to create our own “spiritual CPU” to be the best one it can be.
After Rosh Hashanah, changing the nature of one’s year is possible but it is harder and more challenging.
Classical Jewish sources tell us that Rosh Hashanah is a microcosm of the entire year.
During the two days of Rosh Hashanah, God Almighty gives us the opportunity to build an unlimited “CPU” by the actions we perform on these days. If we utilise every moment of these two days to the fullest, then we create our year filled with blessing, prosperity and success.
Now is the time to build a solid, tangible relationship with God Almighty and there is no better way to achieve this than via prayer.
Everybody needs to re-evaluate their spiritual goals in life and ask themselves: “How are we going to grow to become better people?”
A year full of blessing is definitely attainable, but it is dependent on our efforts during this time.
On behalf of the entire Jewish community, I would like to wish everyone in Port Elizabeth the traditional Jewish greeting of “Shana Tovah Umetukah” (a good and sweet year) and may God Almighty continue to shower His blessings on Port Elizabeth and South Africa for the forthcoming year in every possible way. – Rabbi Shmuel Bloch (PE Hebrew Congregation)