Rosh Hashanah, a Sweet New Year

BS"D

By Nechama Dina Smith

Hello everyone!

This holiday always comes near the week of the Torah portion Nitzavim where Moshe tells the people, “You are standing today, all of you before Hashem.” Then the verse details, “Your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel...”

The holy Ohr Hachaim questions, Why the need to specify that you are standing? And why enumerate exactly who is standing, before we talk about entering a covenant with Hashem, accepting His commandments and the consequences of not following them? He answers that Moshe’s intention is to include everyone, that they should feel responsible for each other, that each in their own way should try to help influence the people in their domain and remind them of their obligations to keep Hashem’s Torah. If one is an important leader, he has more people he is entrusted with. If one is the head of his household, he is responsible for them. We are all held accountable for each other, each according to our ability, in our own capacity.

This is not a Live and Let Live situation here on earth. Standing denotes authority--whatever realm of impact you have, use it.

Now, can this get sticky? Each person tends to think he is perfect and correct, but everyone else is doing wrong. So we can all end up criticizing each other saying “I am right and you are wrong.”

So let's go slow. Accept rebuke from those who know more than us, mention gently to someone in our sphere of influence how they can do something a little differently. There is humor, there are stories, there are "I" messages, there are words of encouragement. All with care and love!

We are all on the same boat and we don’t want to sink, and we are also all super sensitive nowadays. But Hashem gave us wisdom. Hashem even gives wisdom to a rooster to know day from night. So let’s all march on in the beautiful ways of Hashem, bringing our brothers and sisters along with us, in the sweetest way possible.

Standing also denotes pride. When we are all before Hashem, ready to hear His word, and be close to His teachings, we can be full of healthy confidence and stand straight and proud.

May we all be inscribed in the book of life for a good and sweet year, with everything we need in our families, in health, in happiness, in finances, in love and peace and joy.

Shana tova,

Nechama Dina Smith

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