OMG! Rosh HaShanah is Around the Corner

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With all the excitement going on here, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is just around the corner!

There are several "new years" in the Jewish calendar. The month of Shvat is the new year for trees; Nisan (April, Mayish) is the new year for the Jewish people (they finally left Egypt and became a people); Elul is new year for tithe; and of course, is Tishrei (September-ish) where Rosh Hashanah falls. Its the new year for the creation of man.

I really love the high holiday service! The prayer melodies are so beautiful and the words are melting. My favorite part of the Rosh Hashanah service is when we ask God to "open the gates". In the sephardi synagogue I used to attend in Chicago, the Cantor /Hazan would lead the congregation in a melodic way through each gate (gates of income, gates of good health, gates of knowledge.....etc). What will be this Rosh Hashanah? I don't know. I'm not so capable to get up and go these days.

Whatever, I pray you all enjoy this day! May it be prayerful, reflective, and most importantly, Joyous. May we all be inscribed in the book of life.