Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Rosh Hashanah

Leshanah tovah tikkatev
May you be inscribed for a good year.
This is sometimes said during the Jewish New Year, and I have read it means not only Happy New Year, but may your name be inscribed in the book of life this year. During the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, many think about the previous year and seek forgiveness. At the end of the ten days people say to each other, "May the final verdict be favorable," because the end of the ten days is the Day of Atonement or Judgment, Yom Kippur. This is my wish for my friends and family and enemies, that they be forgiven and have their names inscribed the Book of Life. I am thankful that God is good and His mercy is forever.
I also read that Psalm 37 is a traditional reading in synagogues at this time.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: don't fret yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.....
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread...
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them.....
(as always, my paraphrase)

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