Hi,

I can’t believe it.
It’s almost Rosh Hashanah!
A time for self-examination. A time to step back.
And see where we need to improve.
In our relationships with other people. And with G-d.
… And the truth is that it’s easy to become discouraged.
Because we’ve been there. Done it.
… Like last Rosh Hashanah.
And the one before that!
We may have made great commitments.
Like being more sensitive. More considerate.
‘No more lashon hora’. Gossip.
‘More chessed.’ Acts of kindness.
And maybe, ‘this year I’ll go to that Torah class I keep putting off.
I’ll become a more knowledgeable Jew. A more involved Jew.’
… And we really meant it.
Well, it’s Rosh Hashanah again.
And we may not feel that much different than we were last year.
So what’s the point? Why go through it again?
… Think of a car wash. In the Chicago winter.
People wait on line. Get their car washed until it shines.
Then they drive out.
… Right into the slush. The salt. The grime.
And a few days later? It needs another car wash.
Badly!
… So what’s the point? What difference does it make?
The answer is that it makes a big difference.
… Because without the car wash, the dirt sticks. Gets caked on.
And the car corrodes. Little by little.
But if you wash it off? The car has a much better chance of lasting.
Rosh Hashanah is like that too.
Because we all make mistakes. Do things we shouldn’t.
Things that can eat away at our character. Make us less sensitive.
To G-d and to our fellow man.
Or we get out of touch Jewishly. And it eats away at our Jewish identity.
Until we don’t even see that we have a problem.
… We need Rosh Hashanah. And Yom Kippur.
They’re our “spiritual car wash”.
We resolve again to improve. And hopefully we will.
… And if we slip? We’ll need to go through it again next year.
But in the meantime?
The ‘spiritual carwash’ helps keep us from getting rusty!
… I’m offering you two “car washes” this year.
One before Rosh Hashanah. (The lines will be shorter!)
Join me for Tuesday’s Lunch & Learn.
It can help you make this your most meaningful High Holidays ever!
And if you’re a YJP (22-32), and you enjoy the Torah Minutes?
You’ll love the CTN Rosh Hashanah Experience.
Led by the author of the Torah Minutes!
RSVP for either at www.torahnetwork.org/register.htm
All the best,