Rosh Hashanah 5772

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

Soon we will gather in the Synagogue to celebrate another year as the old disappears and the new takes shape. What kind of year is passing and what kind of a year lies ahead? These are just two of the questions we will ask ourselves as we do each year at this time.

Some of us will wonder whether we did enough to matter and some will contemplate about things that never were and maybe will never be. Through it all, however, there is one constant theme that will resonate within us as we sit and sing and pray and listen and it is something I think about, not just at this season but all year long and is best illustrated by the following story:

A yeshiva student was having a discussion with his rabbi. “Someday, I too hope to become a rabbi,” said the youth. “Aside from my studies is there any other all-important qualification I will need?” “Yes, the stimulus of imagination,” replied the rabbi. “You will have to imagine that somebody is paying attention to what you say.”

I believe that all of us during our lifetime have wondered whether anyone listens to us, our children, our colleagues at work, our significant others, and even ourselves. We have a great deal to say because communicating is a significant way of connecting.

Sometimes we say things that really don’t matter and, of course, we do say things that affect our lives and those around us. Sometimes we say things that have different meanings because we are not clear and precise. Sometimes we say things we really don’t mean because we want to be sensitive to another’s feelings. And sometimes we say things that aren’t true because we are too ashamed or embarrassed as to our real intent.

The High Holidays give us an opportunity to say things to God we never thought we had the ability to utter. There are thoughts we have that mean so much because we are at a stage in life where minutes, hours, days, weeks and years are precious and not to be wasted.

It takes a great deal of imagination to pray that God is listening and hears our words because we cannot see, or touch, or even hear an answer. But it doesn’t take imagination to realize that answers can come from experiences and happenings that remind us we do matter. We see the miracles of life daily, but we tend to ignore them. We can touch a loved one because that touch awakens the understanding of togetherness and companionship. We do hear the sounds of laughter and the tears that fall when we lose someone we love or witness illness.

As we embark on another year we all should listen to our inner voice that tells us life is to live and treasure because it is a gift that keeps on giving.

May we all have a very happy New Year filled with laughter and love and good health and above all the ability to listen and hear.

Shanah Tovah!!