The Rosh Hashana liturgy depicts God sitting upon his throne, inscribing each of his creatures in the Book of Life; each person's livelihood is determined for the coming year, as well. Rosh Hashana inaugurates a ten-day period culminating in Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. These are days of heightened introspection, efforts at self-improvement, and pleas for forgiveness from those we have wronged. These days are especially relevant to those for whom the Day of Judgment did not produce a clearcut verdict - everyone.
"God tells me that when he wants to teach everyone a lesson he picks a wonderful surrounding and fills it with a story to spin. He carefully selects the protagonist, the antagonist, the victims, the martyrs, and the bystanders who will say their peace. Then he leans over and whispers in my ear..."my most careful selection is in the people I choose to remain silent...for they are the "chosen" who will reap and will be regarded."
- "One Small Word of Advise" - Notes to a Friend - Paul Peachin
No comments:
Post a Comment