Rosh Hashana/Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown
"Rosh Hashanah shatters our illusion of being self-contained without any accountability to a higher power."
This is the time of year when Jewish people are to examine their deeds, ask forgiveness of those they have offended, ask for forgiveness from God - and plan to do better. Couldn't we all, whatever your faith belief,learn a lesson from this? I'm going to take the time to re-evaluate how I treat homeless people holding up signs at stoplights. I tell my daughter that we give to churches/agencies that will help them, that I don't want them to use my money for liquor (plus, I don't know which ones have been bused in to fill somebody else's pockets). I've come clean...what's something you/we as a country, need to rexamine this time of the year?
Comments (2)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
"what's something you/we as a country, need to rexamine this time of the year?"
It's a good idea to set aside a time to seriously consider a "reality check" in your life. Once a year is OK... I prefer more frequently, myself.
Me, personally, I have to re-examine my life as a writer. What makes me go back to the keyboard every night? What values do I exhibit in my efforts? Will it really matter if no one ever reads the stuff I love so much to write?
As a country, I think we should be re-examining the vast gulf between the rich and the poor. Does unlimited self-interest really make us as great a country as we think? Is it really such a bad thing to tell stock holders that they can't have every dime that can be squeezed out of the bottom line, so that employees can have decent access to health care? Do we really need to try to control politics all around the world?
Hello? Is this thing on??
Posted on October 3, 2005 7:11 PM
Nancy
A wonderful and challenging invitation. I ahve always thought Judaism's traditions of reflection and atonement were closer to the humanist impulses inherited from Socrates than any other faith tradtion.
I'll come clean,too : As an over-educated and under-ambitious American male, I have too often looked in condescension upon those "less fortunate" from economic need or perhaps personal inclination, who did not attend advanced schooling and may not enjoy art and literature. They are burdened with illiteracy or poverty or the need to work extra long and hard to feed families they may not have planned. They may just prefer less-intellectual pursuits which are equally relaxing or occasionally envigorating. Had I childern, I would encourage them to be more open as I intend to be, to those with other priorities.
I, too, feel there is an awful disconnect in our country between rich and poor. My usual reaction is to "soak the rich" to "feed the poor". I wonder if there are less clichéd ways to respond.
Posted on October 10, 2005 1:16 PM