Rabbi Alby Chait (MBE) of United Hebrew Congregation offers some thoughts on Rosh Hashanah in time for the new year.
Two men are walking along the train tracks. When the conductor of an oncoming train notices them, he begins to blast a shrill warning whistle. Both men hear the whistle.
One is a simple farmer who has never seen a train. Unaware of what the sound signals, he continues walking, enjoying the view and the sound of the whistle. The other person, a city dweller, understands the warning and immediately flees from the oncoming danger.
While both men hear the sound of the whistle, only the second one can be said to have properly heard and understood its message: “Leap into action and save your life. Your future is in your hands!”
The same two men are walking along a forest rough. When heading into a particular spot they hear the howl of an animal. The farmer recognises danger – the call of a threatening wolf. His friend, nature’s singing voice.
Are we like the city resident or the country rancher in our response to the “warning whistle”, the “alarming blast”, the howl, the Shofar of the High Holy days? We are a little of each.
G-d gave us two distinct elements to our being – to our existence. We have our physical ability – the ability to lift, to speak, to express love and hold another’s hand.
G-d too, also gave us our mind – our soul – the ability to think, to ponder, to rationalise and reflect. G-d gave us the ability to understand ourselves and each other – emotions, feelings, anger, and joy. We have the ability to choose good.
The key to life, Judaism teaches, is to ensure body and mind are not two direct opponents in a ring fighting to be the last one standing. But rather the sincerity or naturalness that comes with a life of genuine Jewish morality and code serves as our compass toward a life filled with purpose.
The author Dan Brule writes: “Breath is the link between body and mind”.
Judaism would undoubtedly agree. Scripture teaches us that our breath is the constant reminder of G-d’s presence – the gift of life itself!
One of the things that moves me most over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is the simple act of prayer. Jews don’t sit in Shul in silence, meditating and contemplating on a year gone by, speculating and hypothesising for the year ahead. Neither do we follow a march or procedure – an academic process that detoxes and refreshes us for another year. There is no simple select, delete, and retype!
Our prayers are unique. Like body and mind together as one – the extension of breath itself – we dedicate our whole self to Almighty G-d, displaying the harmony, the true capability of our human self. That is what makes our High Holy Days unique. Plaiting the knowledge of the city dweller with the know-how of the simple farmer and choosing life, purpose, and goodness!
Gila, Arielle, Emily, and Olivia join me in wishing each and every member of our Leeds Jewish community and their respective families a Shana Tovah and an easy fast. May this year be the most joyous of our lives so far.