The Final Countdown

Each year, as the month of Elul begins to wane, as Rosh Hashanah draws nearer, I feel this sense of change in the atmosphere.  I’m counting down the days. I hear the reading of the final Torah portions of the annual cycle.  The finish line or the starting line is in view.

It’s a feeling of excitement, nervousness, introspection, seriousness, intensity.

The feeling is unique for me on account of my upbringing, personal experience, my own learned, adopted, or perceived ideas of what the High Holidays mean to me.  

(Do you have your own experience you wish to share?)

But how to connect the intense feelings and the clear idea that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are powerful days connected to G-d, Creation, the existence of Humanity and purpose with a relevant practical application?

The potential potholes in intense feelings are a commitment to take intense responsive action.  The problem is that intense responsive action is sometimes too much for the circumstance and even less sustainable.

Accordingly, simple reflections, simple changes, and tiny step by step actions are the ones most likely to be sustained and around in 6 months.

Are we shortchanging the intensity of the day?  Is a small actionable change doing justice to the holiness of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? 

The simple answer is no.   Hashem, the great G-d, is found in the most minute of details.  The simple Mitzvah fulfills the Will of Hashem.  Striking a match before sunset on Friday and lighting Shabbat candles, or even adding a few coins in the Tzedakah box before lighting the candles are small actions that are powerful ones.  Praying from the Siddur once a week, or even offering a single Psalm of prayer each day. Choosing to refrain from one Shabbat prohibition, or embracing one Shabbat tradition, these are all small actions that are connected to the Will of Hashem and create a connection to the Highest of Highs.  Small acts of kindness to another, mainly when you’d rather be doing something else, are short on size but gigantic on power and connection.

In conclusion, as the feelings intensify, as the symphony of 5780 with all its complexities crescendos, please join me in identifying one small action that will make all the difference in the New Year, after all, that’s what G-d likes!

Shana Tova!

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