Sealing Ourselves in the Book of Life

As we begin 5786, we have had the opportunity to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with our families and our Jewish community and our supporting community. We have eaten our apples and honey, tasted the delicious round challah, changed all our Torah mantles to white. We tossed our Chet (wrong doings) into the flowing waters (tashlich), been in awe of the resounding Shofar blasts, and had 10 days “Yaamin Noraim”- Days of Awe- to prepare ourselves for Yom Kippur, the fast, and to atone, say sorry and seal ourselves into the book of life.

And saying sorry is not an easy task. “Chesbon Ha nefesh – doing an accounting our very souls – is not any easy task. So I decided to share some guidelines, some words to the wise that may help in this daunting task –

From my late mother Jennie- the 1st 2:
– Be a mensch , be the best person you can be at all times
– Be a “gitte neshumah”: be a good soul, and don’t be eaten up by envy, anger, resentment

Learn to admit when you are wrong and accept the consequences of your actions. Don’t blame others when you are the one in the wrong.

Derech Eretz- Be respectful, do what you are supposed to do and encourage other not just to tolerate but respect one another. As we want to be understood and respected, so do our neighbours.

Tzedakah – more than charity or choice, it is a commandment, the obligation to help others who are in need to the best of our ability.

Gimmilut Chasadim- Deeds of loving kindness… Not just financial help for those in need but some of the “milk of human kindness” is also necessary . Be nice, say “nice”, act “nice”

And finally, as we work to seal ourselves into the Book of Life, let it be our goal to do “Tikkun Olam”. We have to work to mend this world, to repair it, for ourselves, for our families, for all.

G’mar Tov… Keyn Y’hee Ratzon … May it be God’s Will

Filed under: Educator's Message

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