A Rosh Hashanah Suggestion

Next week we’ll celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of mankind. Beginning with Adam and Eve and setting in motion all of world history.

The opening verses of the Torah comprise what our Sages call “The Ten Utterances”. These are the ten sayings with which G-d created the world.

Even though we can’t literally create worlds with our speech, but the fact that G-d’s speech has that power, indicates to us the importance of speech.

This is even more powerful on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur when we offer words of prayer asking for Divine blessing for all of our needs for the coming year.

Prayer is tricky, it is on the one hand about the heart as the verse states; “a broken heart G-d doesn’t despise” and at the same time prayer is made up of words. King David captures these two dimensions in Psalms saying; “may it be Your will to accept the utterances of my mouth and the meditations of my heart”.

The High Holiday prayer book is big and has a lot of words. This Rosh Hashanah I want to encourage you to combine the meditation of your heart with the words of your mouth.

Don’t feel pressured or obligated to say every word in the book. On the other hand don’t just suffice with the meditations of your heart. Find the balance between reading a prayer that speaks to you, touches you and reflects your thoughts and feelings of the season. Read it over and over again if you need to. Read it slowly and enjoy each word.

There are certain prayers that are important to say together with the congregation such as the Shema or the Avinu Malkeinu. But other than that speak your heart and let your heart speak the prayers. As our Sages say, better less with intent than more without intent.

Looking forward to praying together with those of you joining us!

Shana Tova and Good Shabbos!