The Jewish calendar is filled with holidays that vary significantly. All of them are unique in some way, and each one adds a spiritual dimension to a Jew’s life. What is the secret of Rosh Hashanah?
For starters, Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Years. And while that may sound strange, it really is very straight forward. Simply put, Rosh Hashanah is the start of the year. But the similarities end there because Judaism has a completely different view of New Years.
Rosh Hashanah is a happy day, but it is also a serious time. We have a long-standing tradition that on Rosh Hashanah Hashem judges the world. All the events of the year, whether good or bad, are preordained on Rosh Hashanah day, making it truly a day of judgment.
Now the decrees for the year will be stamped. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the High Holidays, or more properly Yamim Noraim, which means “Days of Awe”.
Such is the uniqueness of Rosh Hashanah. One who is attuned might detect a feeling of apprehension, as the Days of Awe approach. As stated, each holiday has something else to offer. Purim is exciting, while Tisha B’av brings sadness. Pesach can feel patriotic, but Shavous imparts a yearning for Torah. Rosh Hashanah can feel awe inspiring.
Awe is the result, but it may also be the cure. On Rosh Hashanah, our prayers center around coronating Hashem as king. In fact, it is one of the central themes of the day. If we feel the awesomeness, it means we recognize that Hashem is in control. If we did not believe that Hashem is our King, we wouldn’t feel the apprehension.
If you ever visit a Chasidic court on the High Holidays you might experience the apprehension and awe of Judgment day, blended with the happiness and serenity that a Jewish holiday imparts. Let’s use Belz as an example of what those days are like.
But there is more to Rosh Hashanah for Chassidim visiting the Rebbe. There will be special Tishe’n on Rosh Hashanah, where the Rebbe will speak inspiring words. Chassidim will flock to the Rebbe’s home on the day before Rosh Hashanah to present him with specially prepared platters of food that are customarily eaten on Rosh Hashanah. A gift to the Rebbe forges a bond between a Chasid and his Rebbe, and who wouldn’t want their specially prepared dish to be on the Rebbe’s table?
Soon enough will Rosh Hashanah begin. The Rebbe will be the Chazzan for Maariv and his sweet voice will reverberate around the room. Prayers are slow and intense, as thousands of adult men bedecked in their Yom Tov finest, sway to and fro. The same goes for the daytime tefillos, which take up a large portion of the day. They are exceptionally uplifting and inspiring, and the passage of time is barely felt. Like one enchanted by a spectacular play, time seems to stand still. Before you know it, it’s all through, because the mind is in an entirely different place.
Despite the length of the nighttime prayers, and the meals that are eaten upon their completion, the Chassidim will head to the Rebbes house after their meals, to be at the Rebbe’s Tish. Now, the Rebbe will eat his meal, and his followers will cram into the bleachers on both sides. Emotions will run high as they stamp in unison, singing like angels in the firmament. But the Rebbe’s talks leave an impression as well, rounding out the night.
By the time Rosh Hashanah is over and every Shofar blast will have pierced the sky, a Chassid is not the same person he was before the High Holidays began. He came in carrying the load of the previous year on his shoulders, only to shed it for the spiritual transformation that only a Rebbe on Rosh Hashanah can instill. Now, he will return to his family to convey the message and to instill it inspire the next generation.
For starters, Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Years. And while that may sound strange, it really is very straight forward. Simply put, Rosh Hashanah is the start of the year. But the similarities end there because Judaism has a completely different view of New Years.
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| Awesomeness of Rosh Hashanah |
Day of judgment -
Unlike other holidays, Rosh Hashanah is tremendously impactful on the rest of the year. Who will live, who will die? Which countries will be at peace, and which will have war?Now the decrees for the year will be stamped. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the High Holidays, or more properly Yamim Noraim, which means “Days of Awe”.
Days of Awe -
A feeling of awe includes reverence, wonder, and a bit of fear. The feeling is common when experiencing something grand and sublime. Towering mountains and splendid vistas are good examples of things that inspire awe, but so do kings and queens. The sheer power that they wield can be overwhelming.Such is the uniqueness of Rosh Hashanah. One who is attuned might detect a feeling of apprehension, as the Days of Awe approach. As stated, each holiday has something else to offer. Purim is exciting, while Tisha B’av brings sadness. Pesach can feel patriotic, but Shavous imparts a yearning for Torah. Rosh Hashanah can feel awe inspiring.
Awe is the result, but it may also be the cure. On Rosh Hashanah, our prayers center around coronating Hashem as king. In fact, it is one of the central themes of the day. If we feel the awesomeness, it means we recognize that Hashem is in control. If we did not believe that Hashem is our King, we wouldn’t feel the apprehension.
If you ever visit a Chasidic court on the High Holidays you might experience the apprehension and awe of Judgment day, blended with the happiness and serenity that a Jewish holiday imparts. Let’s use Belz as an example of what those days are like.
The Big Shul -
The Big Shul is the largest synagogue in Israel, which is the nerve center of Belz. Aside from the thousands of local Chassidim, hundreds of guests fly to Israel to be with the Rebbe on Rosh Hashanah. They all daven together in the main sanctuary that seats over 10,000. A sight to behold indeed.But there is more to Rosh Hashanah for Chassidim visiting the Rebbe. There will be special Tishe’n on Rosh Hashanah, where the Rebbe will speak inspiring words. Chassidim will flock to the Rebbe’s home on the day before Rosh Hashanah to present him with specially prepared platters of food that are customarily eaten on Rosh Hashanah. A gift to the Rebbe forges a bond between a Chasid and his Rebbe, and who wouldn’t want their specially prepared dish to be on the Rebbe’s table?
Soon enough will Rosh Hashanah begin. The Rebbe will be the Chazzan for Maariv and his sweet voice will reverberate around the room. Prayers are slow and intense, as thousands of adult men bedecked in their Yom Tov finest, sway to and fro. The same goes for the daytime tefillos, which take up a large portion of the day. They are exceptionally uplifting and inspiring, and the passage of time is barely felt. Like one enchanted by a spectacular play, time seems to stand still. Before you know it, it’s all through, because the mind is in an entirely different place.
Despite the length of the nighttime prayers, and the meals that are eaten upon their completion, the Chassidim will head to the Rebbes house after their meals, to be at the Rebbe’s Tish. Now, the Rebbe will eat his meal, and his followers will cram into the bleachers on both sides. Emotions will run high as they stamp in unison, singing like angels in the firmament. But the Rebbe’s talks leave an impression as well, rounding out the night.
By the time Rosh Hashanah is over and every Shofar blast will have pierced the sky, a Chassid is not the same person he was before the High Holidays began. He came in carrying the load of the previous year on his shoulders, only to shed it for the spiritual transformation that only a Rebbe on Rosh Hashanah can instill. Now, he will return to his family to convey the message and to instill it inspire the next generation.
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