Rosh Hashanah, literally “the Head of the Year,” begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2 and ends at sundown on Friday, October 4, the only Jewish holiday which lasts for two entire days (considered as one very long day). It ushers in the ten “Days of Awe,” a time to reflect on the previous year and focus on hopes for the coming year.
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“The Days of Awe are a time to ask of ourselves something only we can control:
the strength to do better. To be better.
To make the world we live in a kinder, more peaceful place.
To hear in the sacred shofar blast a call from within to change.”
(unknown)
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And how can we be better?
“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone. …
We leave you a tradition with a future.
The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete.
People even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed.
Never throw out anybody.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you’ll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands:
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Your ‘good old days’ are still ahead of you,
may you have many of them.”
Sam Levenson
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“Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right,
‘Come, blessed of my Father,
into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.
For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water;
I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes;
naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply,
‘Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?
Or thirsty and give you anything to drink?
Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you?
When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’
“And I, the King, will tell them,
‘When you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:34-40 Living Bible