There are rhythms to life, seasons and the newness of the year itself.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the day of the newness. The day of Rosh Hashanah is called in Psalms “Hachodesh Hazeh – this Month”. But Chodesh which means month also means Newness or renewal.

The Mystics teach that the Divine energy that sustains the world is in constant flux. It is on a mission to sustain, hence it is out of its source. But it also yearns to be reunited with its source.

This is not unlike our Soul, our Neshama, which is here in the body on a mission, but years for reconnection to its Divine source.

Each year, each day, each hour and indeed each second has this tension to it, the pull upward and the return downward. In fact, the beating of our heart, the movement of time is a creation of this tension.

On Rosh Hashanah Hashem resolves again to send His Divine energy to sustain this earthly body and the mission of creation is renewed.

As we enter into the final Shabbat of the year, it’s a great time to reflect on how we are renewing ourselves to meet the Divine renewal. We meet that renewal in our own lives with resolve to live more deeply and to live more in sync with the Divine mission from within.

My best wishes to you and yours for a good Shabbos and a year of deep renewal for you, your loved ones and all of our People in Israel and throughout the world.

With all my love,

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman