Rosh Hashana

Published September 02, 2010

Had we been able to produce a Torah Tidbits for the last Shabbat of the year on its own, then this Lead Tidbit would probably have a different focus. As would the following TT, which would be for the first Shabbat of the year.
But rather, this issue is for the last Shabbat of 5770, the Rosh HaShana (and Rosh Chodesh, albeit, unannounced and downplayed) of 5771, and the first Shabbat of the new year - all rolled into one.
Come to think of it, we think in terms of an old year ending and a new year beginning only because of the way we count years - from Tishrei to Tishrei, from Creation. If we think in terms of months of the year, we are ending the 6th month and beginning the 7th - making this merely the crossing of the midpoint (actually not so this year because the Tishrei through Adar “half” will be seven months long - but that’s another issue).
And the opening mishna in Rosh HaShana further defuses the sharp focus of transition from one year to the next by telling us of four Roshei Shana. And the second mishna presents us with the four times the world is judged. So even the concept of Judgment on Rosh HaShana is defused by the other three junctures when we stand judgment - yes, we - not grain, fruits, and water. It is we that need favorable judgment on all four times of the year.
Do we say these things to lower the awe held for Rosh HaShana? G-d for- bid. Perish the thought.
In fact, the other three times the world is judged are for the whole world - and each of us as an inhabitant thereof. But Rosh HaShana - even with its universal theme, even with a feel for our membership in Klal Yisrael, and our attention to interpersonal mitzvot and relationships - is something we tend to take personally - as we should.
Maybe the Rambam’s description of how we should view our lives is helpful to plug us in to our community, our nation, and all of humanity - while still allowing us to focus on ourselves as individuals, in addition to being part of the whole. We dare not ignore any of the roles we have. KTIVAH VACHATIMA TOVA.