Message for High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on 8 September)
These days can be transformative in the life of a Jew; the repeated pounding of the themes of stock-taking, decision, and repentance can and sometimes does lead to a profound change of heart and focus. All of us have heard such stories about how the sound of the shofar or the chanting of Kol Nidre was life-changing. Perhaps no such story is more powerful than that of Franz Rosenzweig who had decided to convert out of Judaism but, deciding to give it “one more shot,” attended the Yom Kippur evening service and on hearing Kol Nidre had a change of heart. Rosenzweig went on to be a noted Jewish theologian and wrote the important work, The Star of Redemption.
But what about the rest of us?
My friends, you do not have to feel that, failing to experience an epiphany of faith or rededication during the Days of Awe, you have failed. And alternatively, you do not need to feel that your congregation, or its cantor, or its rabbi has failed. For all of us, inspiration comes when it comes; it cannot be forced. And for some of us, it comes, not upon hearing the shofar or Kol Nidre – no matter how expertly sounded or sung – or on hearing the rabbi’s sermon (no matter how expertly crafted or delivered!). No, it comes if and because one was attentive to the still, small voice within that said: “Turn!” It comes because we are somehow able to filter through all the noise that is everyday life and decide to be inspired.
If you are able to be inspired while you worship and contemplate during the days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, those who have worked so hard to provide these services in your congregation will be very happy. If such inspiration eludes you, but even so you sense that in congregational life there is the fellowship that might bring you the peace, security, and companionship to empower you to the possibility of being inspired at some other time…that will also make us very happy. The services at this time of year are the fountainhead, not the sum total of our efforts to make a difference in your life.
May you go from strength to strength as you seek to find inspiration, and resulting self-transformation, during these sacred days.