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What if we could really
begin anew just by saying so? What if our resolutions actually became the
foundation for a fresh start? New Year’s marks a time
when people everywhere celebrate the possibility of building a better
tomorrow. It symbolizes the human desire to demarcate the past from the
future, the old from the new. But what if we really understood that our
words-our resolutions and commitments-could create a new beginning? What if
we really believed that our vows had the power to help us get past the
past? “There is a deep human
desire to be able to start again, not to be imprisoned by the past,” said
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, Vice President of CLAL-The
National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. “We need to feel hope
for new possibilities and see that our future is not governed entirely by
our history. It’s no surprise that the images of the Grim Reaper and Father
Time look alike and that the symbol for the New Year is a baby. We cut down
some of the old and make space for something new.” Yet for some Jews, the
idea of celebrating New Year’s on December 31 makes them feel
uncomfortable. They see the holiday as part of secular tradition and
therefore not “Jewish.” Some choose not to participate because they see it
as a betrayal of Jewish tradition. “Why
is commemorating an American custom viewed so suspiciously?” asked Rabbi
Hirschfield. “Are we afraid that it will somehow make Jewish traditions
seem less compelling, or are we so obsessed with our own uniqueness that we
fail to see our connection to the wider world? If our purpose is just to be
different, then it’s not worth it.” He continued, “Jewish
tradition celebrates the ability to start over throughout the year. In
Jewish life every day, every week, and at many other times, we are given the
chance to begin again. To integrate another celebration is very much in
keeping with our tradition.” Rabbi Hirschfield pointed
out that in daily morning prayers, Jews thank God for renewing the world.
Every Shabbat we recall the first moment of creation, and by doing
so, give ourselves the chance to start over. At Rosh Hashanah, Jews
everywhere celebrate the birthday of the world, and even in the Mishna,
the code of law, we recognize multiple Rosh Hashanahs (New Year’s),
so to commemorate an additional one is not foreign to Jewish practice. “The
question is not whether we should or shouldn’t celebrate,” he stated, “ but
how should we do it? Is there a way to mark the holiday Jewishly? There are
Jewish insights that we can bring to the occasion that would make it more
meaningful.” A few of his suggestions
include:
· Jewish life teaches about the
importance of words. How could this lesson be applied this New Year’s?
· Jewish tradition has taken the
transformative power of vows seriously for thousands of years. What would
it mean to take your New Year’s resolutions so seriously that they could
transform your life?
· Jewish wisdom offers a sense of
balance for healthy living. Can we celebrate the New Year without
overindulging? “Most traditional
religious groups have shied away from celebrating at New Year’s,” said Rabbi
Hirschfield, “ so the celebrations have no wisdom to guide them. Those that
have offered guidance often have done so in a manner that feels defensive.
But if we can find a way to use our traditions to help bridge the divide, we
can create richer, more meaningful ways to live.” To join the conversation at Spirit and Story Talk, click here.To access the Spirit and Story Archive, click here.To receive the Spirit and Story column by email on a regular basis, complete the box below: |
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