Jewish Holidays

Rosh Chodesh is a good time for self-renewal, and it therefore brings a special sense of joy. But the joy of Rosh Chodesh is not expressed outwardly as is the case with Jewish holidays. We must make an effort to absorb the sanctity of Rosh Chodesh.

The holiday approached and Rosh Hashanah arrived. Rabbi Amnon of Mainz asked his relatives to bring him to the synagogue with all of his dismembered organs and to place him by the prayer leader. We can well image the atmosphere in the synagogue.

We find that in his short prayer on Yom Kippur, the High Priest did not mention at all the spiritual needs of Israel, like Torah study or fear of Heaven. All that he says during his few moments inside the Holy Sanctuary is a short prayer for rain.

On Sukkot we are judged in relation to water, and we find that on this festival there were many matters connected to water. The joyous water libation underscored the fact that the nation of Israel was thriving in its land and was blessed with water.

The essence of Rosh Hashanah is to pronounce God king over us and over all of creation. Therefore, Rosh Hashanah aims at rectifying the Sin of the Golden Calf, for this particular sin constituted an attempt to throw off the yoke of God's kingship.