A Holy Day

As the Jewish holidays came and went this year, I celebrated them in a bit of a different way. Embracing my faith, my culture, my tradition, in my own way. Not in the way that was imposed on me as I was growing up, but instead, looking inside myself, finding my connection to my culture, and what it truly means to be Jewish. 

In two very small summaries it comes down to this

1. New beginnings are a necessity, it forces us to to look deep within ourselves, look for what needs to be changed and learned from, and then put it into action. (Rosh Hashanah)

2. Forgive myself; as I realize that the bad came from good intentions. Next, for those I wronged, I ask their forgiveness. Finally, be passionate and strong in what I believe in; never back down. (Yom Kipper). 


This Fall, being Jewish means connecting to those who I love. Especially those who have passed away. Learning from their wisdom even when they are not physically here. Realizing the good in people. Realizing the good in taking chances; for it is within those chances that the vision of what I want for my life (a family, kids, a husband, a Ph.D) starts to become a reality. Learning lessons from every situation. This Jewish new year...I will start my search for the "good." The good in myself, the good in others, the good in new opportunities, the good in new relationships, the good in past relationships, and the good in changing myself to become the best person I can be.

A happy New Year. A sweet one. An easy Yom Kipper fast. And to your own search for goodness.

A good thought for the new year:

So often, we think of teshuvah as “getting rid of the bad.” That approach can lead to self-condemnation or even hopelessness. Many rabbis and teachers have suggested instead that we search for the good—what was the good motivation even in a bad act? What is the good lesson that can come out of a bad decision? Where and how can teshuvah turn bad relationships into friendships, or at least grudges into forgiveness? Rather than banishing the evil, can we simply crowd it out with the good? For every sin or bad habit you are trying to banish, install a new, positive practice to replace it. Consider: how might you fill your thoughts, your daily schedule, even your dreams with goodness? It’s not that we give ourselves leave to deny the bad, the tarnish, the damage. It’s that we don’t focus there one minute longer than it takes to uncover the lesson, find our pure core, and make a different decision. –Rabbi Debra Orenstein