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As our family prepares for the Jewish High Holidays I often start to reflect on the past year. But before I get into that I thought it was a perfect chance to share a bit about what the High Holidays are, for those who might not know!
This evenings sunset marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holidays and the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Why sunset you might ask? The Jewish religion follows a lunar based calendar, rather than the standard gregorian calendar. In the Jewish calendar, days are defined as starting at sunset rather than midnight. This lunar calendar is why Jewish holidays like Chanukah are not always at the same time of year, some years it may be closer to Christmas and others (like last year) it was over Thanksgiving.
So back to the High Holidays…. this consists of two different holidays which span over ten days. The first holiday is a two day holiday called Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), and the holiday that is observed eight days later is called Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is when we reflect on the past year, apologize for things that have been done or said that may have hurt someone, and think about how we can be a better person for the coming year. Some religions do this often, even weekly, however in the Jewish religion we get one day a year…. so we better make it count 😉 This is why it’s not uncommon to begin your reflection at Rosh Hashanah, so you are prepared for the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.
Today as I reflect I’m starting with all the things I am thankful for in my life, and at the top of that list is most certainly my family. My daughter and husband are my world and without them I would not be whole. They make me laugh, remind me not to take myself too seriously, hug me when I’m sad, and always know when I need them most. They make me strive to be a better wife, mother and friend every day because I am constantly trying to match what they are offering.
So as we start to celebrate Rosh Hashanah this evening by dipping apple slices in honey to symbolize the coming of a sweet New Year… I will be thinking of them and thankful that they are there to celebrate with me!
Shana Tova to those who celebrate!
