There is a great mystery in the drama of Rosh Hashanah:
The mystery of a Creator asking His creations to participate in the rebirth of their own world.
Even of their own selves.
From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.
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Brenda
Toronto, Canada
August 30, 2026
It is a mystery! Why would the Creator need us to participate in the rebirth of our world?
The Creator wants us to learn how to put our individual parts of the system of Man ( Adam HaRishion) together as one interdependent harmonious network.
This is a lengthy process, one step at a time. Each Rosh Hashanah marks a new beginning, a rise to the next level of good connections between us.
This requires us to first reflect upon our behavior during the previous year, my relationships between others. Did I rise above my egoistic intentions? Did my qualities come closer to G_dliness? Did I check my animalistic nature in my thoughts, speech and actions? I pass judgement on myself.
Then I can determine the corrections I need to make before the start of my new degree. I recalibrate my mind for the next level that brings me closer to resemble the altruistic characteristics of the Creator. I prepare for the birth of my new degree on the ladder to the spiritual world.
Shana Tovah!
Reply
Chaim
Staten Island
August 29, 2026
I think... more so in the question of Rosh Hashana, is Hashem asking; is there a better Repair to this world other than Mercy of flesh and blood? Reply
David Harold Chester
Petach Tikva, Israel.
September 13, 2023
When I was about bar mitzvah age my teacher also told me about the Rosh Hashanah Festival being a time to ask for forgiveness, because on Yom Kippur my fate over the next year is finally sealed. The result of this indoctrination was that every time these festivals came around, I became very nervous and unsure of myself.
Having eventually matured and got to better appreciate what these ideas for asking for forgiveness really mean, I can now feel sufficiently confident to be able to set my own standard and way for praying over the Festivals and I think it is wrong to set in the mind of a youngster a fear of what the analogy of his name being sealed, for a good or a bad life, during the following year..
Shanna Tova to all of our readers.
Reply
Feigue Cieplinski
Middletown
September 16, 2025
in response to David Harold Chester:
Shanah Tova Umetukah to you too.
MY father had a ritual that when he gave us as blessing for Rosha Hashanah he asked me to behave well all year. I could not promise that, and I ended up crying,. Had he used other words maybe i would have understand that what he meant is behave bederech.
I don't know what words your teacher used, but What your teacher meant was not indoctrination, since this is the tradition: as the fragment of the Rebbe says , we are supposed to renew this world, We have been partners of H' in its creation and every Rosh Hashanah we are requested to continue to adhere to Judaism , and behave bederech. following the tenets of Judaism. As humans we do fail throughout the year, but Rosh Hashanah gives us the opportunity for a clean slate and hope for a better year. may this be so this New Year. with peace in Israel.
Reply
Rita Forbes
Clinton
August 30, 2026
in response to Feigue Cieplinski:
Good Morning, Feigue
I am appreciative of your valuable insight. Best wishes.
Reply
Feigue Cieplinski
Middletown
August 30, 2026
in response to Rita Forbes:
Shana Tova U'metuka Rita: I appreciate your telling me this. Here we are reaching ,again, a New Year in a very tumultuous world. Only faith in H' because, as you always write we are not in control of a lot of events. May H' bless you in your life with peace and beauty. I do love how you, too, interpret issues. I always read them. Shalom and may there be peace in israel and t he world. Reply
Gabrielle Grossman
Oakland
September 12, 2023
Isn't the message that we have to take care of the earth, heal the earth? Well, we have an obvious task, we must heal global warming, which will be a tremendous effort. Jews are not making a big deal out of doing that, but they should. Reply
Carl
Aframe
September 11, 2023
Isn’t every moment of every minute of every hour of everyday a moment available to renew and refresh our ever enveloping enrapture with HASHEM ?? Reply
Alan
Grand Rapids
September 11, 2023
What a life-giving thought! Altho I'm not Jewish and not able to be part of the ritual, I celebrate the beauty of the hope in this! Reply
Brenda
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 15, 2020
This Rosh Hashanah is different, very special.
The Coronavirus is changing our perception to force us to let go our egoistic world that leads to hatred, conflict and neglect of others.
Let's replace this self-destructive view with a new vision of reality as one interconnected, harmonious system.
We must shift our world view to be as one man in one heart. With this new will and intention we activate the positive force of G-dliness to bestow goodness to give us a sweet, healthy new year. Together we give life to a new world where His goodness connects our hearts as one.
SHANA TOVAH!
Reply
Anonymous
Dallas
September 5, 2018
The reading was very interesting. It has educated me knowing more about my Jewish Faith. And to wish a Happy New Year. My soul has been redeemed by space and time for the coming of Rosh Hashanah. Great writing. Reply
Mordi
September 14, 2012
love it !
Beautiful ! You do realize that such mystery and drama requires a fair quantity of concentration. And here i thought that i was going to be socializing on Rosh Hashana, and leave the heavy thinking for Yom Kippur.
Maybe i will photocopy the DD and bring it along. I ought to laminate it. I think that it is applicable all year round. But if you say especially at Rosh Hashana, well, that is the holiday coming right up so it is a good time to get fired up.
Sometimes the DD makes my head hurt from thinking so hard.
Shana Tova !
Reply
D'vorah the melitz yosher
St. Louis, Missouri
September 16, 2009
The Mystery
I would just edit that last line to read:
"The wonder of Rosh HaShanah is between Him as He is Above and Her as She is in within us."
Same G-d Our G-d...One G-d. But, what a beauty about it.
Reply
The breaking of weeks, months and years of our lives, have all the purpose of reflection. Think of Shabbat, think of Rosh Hodesh, as well as the days of mourning. and, of course, Rosha Hashanah, These breaking points are orderly and a form for observing ourselves: how is that we are doing on a personal level. I say personal because the word" animalistic" seem a pejorative on animals that are also creations of H: each with its nature! As humans we are fractured ,must try to rebuild a higher level of thinking, kedushah, and repair our relationship with others. Ego is necessary - since that is the one that forgives! Yet, that doesn't mean that the ones I forgave on Rosh Hashanah, continue to be my friends. The Ego defends me, so that there is dignity in what I do - even in my ties with H'. All issues are tied with the Ego because understanding is located there, It is a pacer, just as the times of the year are. I don't remember reading that we should smash the Ego. Control? Yes.