As you listen to the news and get the picture of an economy that is going from bad to worse; don’t despair!  This is the time of year when we have a chance for renewal.  On Rosh Hashanah G-d determines your financial income for the year!!  There’s no need to panic, only to pray - pray hard!

As you prepare for Rosh Hashanah try to put all the pessimistic thoughts, facts, and opinions aside.  This is a time to remain calm and focused.  The amount of money you were going to make by the end of this year (less than two weeks to go!) was determined last year on Rosh Hashanah.  Now, here’s your chance to beseech G-d for a healthy, sweet, and prosperous new year ahead!

Be sure to sweeten the upcoming year with indulging yourself and your family, friends, and business associates with sweet treats for the start of the Jewish New Year!

As we approach the High Holy days we do need some stimulation to get us to the inspiration and spirituality we seek.  How does one get there?  You may find it by listening to inspirational talks, looking around you for inspiration, or reading up about Rosh Hashanah in general.  There’s a lot of reading material you can get out there.  Here are some that Artscroll has to offer: http://www.artscroll.com/Books/rshh.html, http://www.artscroll.com/Books/k-rskh.html.

Bear in mind that pre-holiday days are great for creating good feelings between family, friends, and colleagues.  This is the time to connect to them by speaking carefully and nicely, and showering them with good feelings for Rosh Hashanah.  May the good feelings at the start of the Jewish New Year linger and last through the year!

As Rosh Hashanah draws closer, we study the reasons for the many customs and traditions that are associated with the beginning of the Jewish New Year.  Many of the symbolism we draw from the various food is to to have a good omen for a plentiful, good new year.

Of course Rosh Hashanah is about proclaiming G-d as our king and praying to be inscribed into the book of life.  That is why we use the food we eat to symbolize a good omen for a sweet new year. 

This makes us think of dipping the apple into honey for a sweet New Year.   Yet there are many more symbols that we use.  Here’s to explore more about the background of the symbolism for Rosh Hashanah with different minhagim (practices) for the Jewish New Year:

http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/elulrosh/vol1no38.html

A study on Jewish traditions for Rosh Hashanah will lead to a diversified array of customs for The Jewish New Year.  It really depends on the background of where the specific Jew originates from.  The most significant difference will probably be between the Sephardic and Ashkenazic sects.

Blowing the Shofar (a ram’s horn) is a definite for both the Sephardim and Ashkenazim.  This is done on both days of Rosh Hashanah, along with the Tefillos (prayers).

Yet, dipping apples into honey originates from the Ashkenazim.  While some Sephardic Jews have adapted that tradition, it doesn’t originate from them.  They traditionally cook the apples in sugar vs. honey.

Most importantly all Jews will emphasize on teffillos and teshuvah on Rosh Hashanah.  In their own way, every sect will also follow traditions that signify the coming of a “sweet” New Year.

It’s hard to believe that another summer has gone by… and we’re heading for Labor Day so soon.  There’s so much to think of at this time.  Preparing the kids for school, getting back to gear on the work front and home front, and on top of everything: preparing for the new year ahead!   

How do we actually prepare for Rosh Hashanah?  That’s what the upcoming month of Elul is all about.  It’s about “Teshuvah”;  introspection and perspection of the year gone by and making resolutions for the upcoming New Year.  Here are some tips to help you make a clean start.

http://www.ou.org/chagim/elul/teshuvah.htm

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