As we approach the last Shabbat of 5784, I’m reflecting on the impossible passage of time and the journey we’ve shared this year. It’s almost surreal to realize that Rosh Hashanah is nearly upon us. The arrow of time, that inexorable force that pulls us forward, shows no pause for our human concerns. Yet, it brings us to this moment of reflection and anticipation.
Sometimes, we are tempted to say, “It’s been an awful year. Gruesome and scary. Without mercy.” But the year itself is innocent. It’s merely the stage upon which we appear and disappear at seemingly arbitrary moments. The year is not responsible for what we humans have done with it. Instead, think of it as a blank canvas, a tabula rasa, awaiting the strokes of our paintbrush every moment we are alive.
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, our tradition teaches us to use this time as a metaphorical, metaphysical whiteboard for a series of essential calculations:
Firstly, we enumerate our best and most successful experiences of 5784. Ask yourself: When did I make a difference? How did I make something wonderful happen? When was I particularly kind, and to whom? I understand that accessing these memories can be challenging, regardless of age. But I encourage you to try. Treat yourself with thoughtfulness and kindness as you reflect. Remind yourself that you are a good person, capable of empathy and acts of unselfish generosity. When you strive to do the right thing, it resonates with your soul. It truly feels good to do good.
Then, we must turn to that second, often more challenging category of calculations. This involves recognizing how, through omission or commission, we may have fallen short. Perhaps there were moments of anger, judgmental or derogatory comments about others, or promises left unfulfilled. The examples are as varied as our human experiences.
But here, I want to offer a perspective that might bring comfort. We can see that confronting our failings can be a constructive process leading to both personal growth and societal improvement. This approach emphasizes individual interpretation, rejecting absolute judgments, and focusing on practical outcomes rather than abstract moral categories. It’s not about harboring guilty feelings. Instead, it is an opportunity to forgive ourselves for our flaws and to learn from our missteps.
If we can achieve this self-forgiveness, we come to a new level of clarity. From this vantage point, we realize that we can then extend forgiveness to others. This can be challenging because it requires vulnerability and openness to potential criticism. But sincere forgiveness is a profound gift – both to the injured party and to ourselves as we seek to grow and heal.
As we enter this reflective period, consider the ripple effects of your actions and growth. Every small step towards improvement, every act of kindness, and every moment of self-reflection contributes to the broader tapestry of our community and our world.
May this last Shabbat of 8784 bring peace and the space for meaningful reflection. We can do this; we can jump through the threshold to a new year. We can treat ourselves and others compassionately, ready to learn, grow, and ride that arrow of time into 5785.
The Stern Gang wishes you and yours a sweet and healthy new year.
Before Shabbat 