Let us look inward on Rosh Hashanah

Published 10:05 pm Wednesday, September 4, 2013

 

The headlines are troubling — the United States is contemplating a military response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons on its own people in its ongoing civil war. But many of the rebels in Syria, who will likely benefit from such a response, are hostile to America and the West.

And Syrian Christians, like their counterparts in Egypt, find themselves the targets of Islamic extremism.

Civilizations are clashing; Middle Eastern and Western leaders seem to be drawing lines in the sand.

But perhaps we can find a little wisdom and a little guidance here, from another People of the Book. Today marks the Jewish holy day of Rosh Hashanah (it actually began at sundown Wednesday), the start of the new year.

Tyler Rabbi Neal Katz spoke to the Tyler Paper about the meaning of the holy day in 2009.



“We treat Rosh Hashanah like a birthday, as a way to celebrate new beginnings, fresh starts and the spiritual renewal,” Katz said.

It’s the beginning of a period often called the “Ten Days of Awe.” The Rosh Hashanah liturgy not only celebrates the new Jewish year, it also sets the stage for the 10 days leading up to the Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, Katz said.

“It is during those 10 days that Jewish people are called to a ‘cheshbon ha-nefesh’ (Hebrew phrase meaning ‘reckoning of the soul’). We are called to account for our sins in the past year, clearly distinguishing between transgressions against fellow people versus transgressions against God,” Katz said.

This sounds like a positive process for each of us, regardless of our faith.

“It is through a process of repentance, prayer and charity that we seek to change our behaviors, modify our attitudes, make restitution for our wrongs, and seek forgiveness from other people. It is taught that when we have engaged this High Holy Day call to ‘reckon our soul’ that we can then come before God on Yom Kippur and ask for divine forgiveness,” Katz explained.

The High Holy Days offer “a wonderful interplay” between the frailty of human relationships and God’s forgiveness, Katz added.

“The interplay exists because God demands that we make peace with our family, friends and community before we approach God on Yom Kippur. It is a curriculum for self-improvement and spiritual growth,” Katz said.

That seems to be exactly what’s called for now.

Much of the talk and deliberation about a strike on Syria seem to revolve around America’s credibility. Some say it’s been damaged by President Barack Obama’s repeated call for the Syrian dictator’s ouster (then doing nothing about it) and his drawing a “red line” over the use of chemical weapons — a red line that has now repeatedly been crossed.

And perhaps such action is called for. But first, soul-searching should take place. That goes not just for our leaders, but for all of us. The clash of civilizations won’t be fully answered on the battlefield. It will only ever be resolved in the heart.

A little wisdom from our Jewish brethren could help heal some old wounds and prevent new ones.