Rosh Hashanah

Today, September 13th 2007, is the Jewish new year. As a Buddhist, I must admit, I had been very ignorance of others’ religion celebrations. Believe it or not, I did not know Jewish’s new year is called Rosh Hashanah until today. My sincere apology to my fellow humans on the other part of the world for my lack of religious knowledge. To all Israelis, I sincerely wish all of you a year of health, success, prosperity, and fulfillment.

May the tears of the past soften the hearts of the future to love and be loved. May the hands that kill be the hands that heal. May God bless the peace makers and banish war makers to hell. May the guns and bullets be forever rested, and may your country have everlasting peace with your neighboring countries.

The following is a brief description of Rosh Hashanah from the web site Jewish Festivals and Days of Remembrance in Israel :

---- Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish new year. Its origin is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): “a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts [of the shofar, the ram’s horn].” The term Rosh Hashanah, “beginning of the year,” is rabbinical, as are the formidable themes of the festival: repentance, preparation for the day of Divine judgment, and prayer for a fruitful year. The two-day festival falls on 1-2 Tishrei in the Jewish calendar, usually September in the Gregorian calendar, and starts at sundown of the preceding evening, as do all Jewish observances. Major customs of Rosh Hashanah include the sounding of the shofar in the middle of a lengthy synagogue service that focuses on the festival themes, and elaborate meals at home to inaugurate the new year. The prayer liturgy is augmented with prayers of repentance. In many senses, Israel begins its year on Rosh Hashanah. Government correspondence, newspapers and most broadcasts carry the “Jewish date” first. Felicitations for the new year are generally tendered before Rosh Hashanah. ----

May this year Rosh Hashanah be the beginning of everlasting peace and tolerance for mankind. May all of us repent and pledge not to repeat our wrong doings. God, let there be peace among fellow human beings.

HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH….. Om Mani Pedme Hum