Jewish New Year a time of self-scrutiny and change

The Jewish festival of Rosh Hashana, which began on Wednesday, is the beginning of a period in the Jewish calendar called the Ten Days of Awe. It also has another name, the Ten Days of Repentance. During this period, we are to examine our conduct during the past year, acknowledge our wrongdoing and shortcomings, seek forgiveness from those we have hurt, make restitution if appropriate and resolve not to repeat the same behavior. Given the complexity of our lives this is a tall order for anyone.

The hardest part of this process, I believe, is the self-scrutiny that is necessary to reveal our wrongdoing and shortcomings. Human beings have an amazing capacity for self-deception and rationalization: we want to think of ourselves as good people, caring people, kind people, and most of the time we are. But there is another side to our nature, a side that we often want to ignore. This season demands that we confront the base side of our nature and, painfully, admit that we do not always live up to our high ideals. And while the Jewish tradition demands this of its adherents, this process of self-scrutiny commends itself to everyone.

The most meaningful work that we human beings can do is the work that helps us to become better human beings. And how can we change our behavior unless we recognize and acknowledge what elements of our behavior we need to change. While the Jewish people are observing this festival season in contemplation and prayer, my hope is that all our neighbors will join us in reflection and self-scrutiny so that we may live more fully human lives and be a blessing to ourselves, our families and our communities.


Rabbi Art Vernon,
Jewish Community Center of West Hempstead