In Judaism, as in many other religions, there are times to “repent”
for our wrongdoings and make SINCERE promises to try to do better in the coming
year, months, and days. At the time that you are reading this, we are about
twelve days away from the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the 2-day festival of our Hebrew New Year, 5783 (sundown
on September 25, 2022)
Just like the “Lord’s Prayer” (forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us), we ask for forgiveness in a
prayer called “Avinu Malkeinu” (For our sinful actions which we have
committed in Your sight… bring us back to You in perfect Repentance).
Rosh Hashanah is followed by Yom Kippur (25 hours beginning at sundown,
October 4, 2022), at
which time the “Book of Life” is sealed for the year, and we are judged by G-d
based on our intentions, our repentance, and the changes we make inside our
hearts to be better, to do better. We ask for forgiveness from those we have
hurt, as we forgive those who have hurt us.
Sometimes we cannot physically ask for or give understanding,
but it must be in our hearts and minds. The hurts we may have inflicted, if
done intentionally, are not forgiven… if accidentally, they can be. That doesn’t
mean there is no hope for the future, it means we must try harder.
As in the secular new year, this is a time to look forward,
to appreciate what we have, and who we have in our lives, and hopefully be able to
start anew with more kindness and understanding. We try, with all our might, to
be better people.
To you I say “L’shanah tovah tikateivu v’teichateimu”; A good year, and may you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.
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