Gail-Friends: Shana Tova 5776

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Shana Tova 5776

Happy New Year, Gail-Friends. Today at sundown we'll celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It is one of Hashem's commanded Feasts and Festivals:

And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. Numbers 29:1 (see also
Leviticus 23:23-25)

I'm feeling creative and have enjoyed preparing and decorating for this holiday. I made a banner (above) and am perusing recipes that use apples and honey.

As we were decorating the synagogue dining room, I told Rabbi Jem, "You know we are so blessed to have so many holidays to enjoy."

This morning, I woke up at 4 am, and made this pomegranate decoration. It was fun, and I think I'll make more.

Pomegranates are mentioned many times in the Bible. I'll write more about them this week. It is an interesting study.

Tonight, we'll have our Rosh Hashanah service, and eat sweet things during oneg. This is a feast day, so we'll enjoy it fully, because our next appointed time is Yom Kippur, which is a day of fasting.

Tonight, we begin the ten days of awe, which is a time of introspection and soul searching, leading up to Yom Kippur. We will be still and draw near to Hashem, asking him to reveal any sins that have crept into our lives.

Rosh Hashanah is also the beginning of the new year on the Jewish calendar. So, that's why I say, "L'Shana Tovah" - Happy New Year to y'all. I think 5776 is going to be a very good year!

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Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays

Janis with Sunday Stillness