“Only You”

The Jewish people are about to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, generally known as the Jewish New Year.  Rosh means head, so that Rosh Hashanah actually means “Head of the Year”, rather than New Year.  This is an interesting distinction.  It reminds us that all thought flows from the head to be acted upon.  The head of the year creates the rest of the year with the thoughts of how one wishes for that year to unfold.  It is then up to you to follow the path of action with the same passion throughout the year as you felt at the head.

Rosh Hashanah commemorates not the first day of creation as the Birthday of the World, but the creation of mankind, Adam (and Eve) on the sixth day.  One might ask, why was Adam created alone rather than one of many.  Adam was created with a purpose and he knew it.  Being only one, only he could accomplish his purpose.  All depended on him.  If we think of ourselves as an Adam, then we realize that our purpose is ours alone and all depends on each of us.  We can’t expect someone else to do it for us.  Sing along “Only you can make this world seem right / Only you can make the darkness bright / Only you and you alone!” The Platters

The Creation narrative says “In the beginning the Almighty created. .. . ” to teach us that He only created the beginning. The remainder is left to us.   —   Rebbe Leibele Eiger of Lublin

Being the Birthday of the World and Mankind, it is looked upon as a renewal.  We are not tethered to the past.  We leave the past behind and create the present, starting from the head.

 “To be or not to be is not a question of compromise. Either you be or you don’t be.” – Golda Meir

 “Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.” – Leonardo da Vinci

 “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” – Plato

Or maybe, the reason Adam was created alone was so that he couldn’t kvetch, go to a therapist, and blame his problems on his parents or someone else!

L’Shana Tova

Heart and Soul