Dateline Jerusalem — Happy Birthday, mankind.  A mere 5,775 years ago G-d created mankind.  Next week on Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, we will celebrate the anniversary of the occasion.  Rosh Hashana actually is observed rather than celebrated.  There are no New Year parties, no glittering ball dropping from up high in New York's Times Square, no noisemakers, fireworks or bubbly champagne.  Instead, Jews throughout the world will sit in prayer all day in synagogue, reflecting and repenting, asking forgiveness for our transgressions. 

We are commanded to listen to the beautiful sound of the shofar, a ram's horn. Its trumpet-like sounds are a wakeup call for us to examine our actions, to repent and to remember G-d.  After a long day and evening at synagogue, people will get together with family and friends at a festive meal with symbolic foods.

G-d created the birth of mankind, Adam and Eve (Chava), on the Sixth Day of Creation. On the Seventh Day He rested, having created a perfect world.  Therefore this year's observance is particularly significant because the observance of Rosh Hashana, Head of the Year, immediately is followed by Shabbat, our day of rest.  Rosh Hashana, a two-day holiday, commences at sundown on Wednesday next week and finishes at sundown on Friday night when Shabbat begins.  A day begins at sundown and ends at sundown the next evening.

Throughout Israel, it is customary for strangers on the street to greet one another with Chag Sameach, (Happy Holiday) Shana Tovah, Good Year.  Another greeting is, “You should have a good and sweet new year”.  So on Rosh Hashana we dip challah and apples in honey for a sweet year. 

On Rosh Hashana, G-d judges us. It is decreed who is to live, who is to die, who will be rich, who will be poor, who will be at peace, who will be at war. Considering the volatile Middle East, all Israelis are praying for a favorable decree with respect to war and peace and life and death. That is why we all must pray, repent, and give charity because those three actions can remove a bad decree.

May G-d inscribe all of you and your loved ones in the Book of Life for a long life and a year of health, happiness, prosperity, tranquility, peace, and safety.  May you all have a good, sweet, and favorable new year.

L'hitraot.  Shachar.