The Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader By Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader 1 This Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader is Dedicated… In loving memory of our beloved Judy Mintz, by Marty Mintz and her children and grandchildren In loving memory of our cherished family members, Nelson Neuman, Phyllis Neuman and Roberta Neuman, by Ian Neuman and Ricka Neuman In loving memory of Rachelle Silverstein, by Ronnie Silverstein Cover art by Levanah J Lutin 2 Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader Dear Friends, I worry about you! I really do! And here is what I am worried about: Most of you will not be attending services this year. Under the circumstances, that is understandable. We hope you will avail yourself of all the virtual services, programs and events that Beth Tfiloh has provided for you. But I worry … every year on Rosh Hashanah, 40-45 minutes of your life is taken up by sitting in your seats in the synagogue and listening to my sermon. But if you won’t be in shul this year, I worry how you are going to fill those 40-45 minutes… and a lot more of your time! The fact that you are not going to be in shul does not mean that Rosh Hashanah is just another day. It is the day on which the world was created. It is the day on which we are judged. It is a day that should be spent in prayer, repentance, gratitude and introspection. So how are you going to fill the 40-45 minutes, and beyond? To help me stop worrying, I have put together a High Holy Day Reader containing articles and thoughts I have come across in recent weeks that have educated and enlightened me, and most important, made me THINK. I hope they will do the same for you! I have divided the readings into three sections: Part 1: The Meaning of the Day (articles 1-6) Part 2: Issues Facing Us (articles 7-12) Part 3: Don’t Worry, Be Happy! (articles 13-15) It has been said that one should think of the High Holy Days as “a lookout on the top of a mountain that you have been climbing all year. See your days and their moments spread out before you. Be willing to look now at this big picture of your life. Your ultimate goals. Your beliefs.” So set aside time for yourself as you usher in a New Year in your life to THINK. With best wishes for a good and sweet New Year, תכלה שנה וקללותיה - תחל שנה וברכותיה‘ Let the old year end with all its curses; let the new year begin with all its blessings. High Holiday Liturgy P.S. A copy of my Rosh Hashanah sermon will be posted online at bethtfiloh.com/highholidays on Thursday, September 17th. Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader 1 Contents Part 1: The Meaning of the Day ....................................................................................................................................3 Rosh Hashanah at Home ...........................................................................................................................................3 Teshuva – Unpacking Jewish Repentance .................................................................................................................6 In and Out, Quick and Easy Judaism: Can We Do Better, Even in a Pandemic? .........................................................7 To Thine Own Self Be True ........................................................................................................................................8 Part 2: Issues Facing Us ...............................................................................................................................................11 I Am a Jew: Bari Weiss’s Powerful Speech ..............................................................................................................11 Coronavirus Will Change the World Permanently. Here’s How. ..............................................................................12 The Death of Nuance ..............................................................................................................................................21 Between Scylla and Charybdis ................................................................................................................................24 Why Black Lives Matter — to Jews ..........................................................................................................................25 Cancel culture ‘Cancel Culture’ Is as Old as Religion, And It’s Only a Thing Because of Who’s Doing the Cancelling ................................................................................................................................26 Part 3: Don’t Worry, Be Happy! ..................................................................................................................................29 Be Happy Be Grateful with What You Have.............................................................................................................29 What to Be Grateful For ..........................................................................................................................................30 Coronavirus in a Broken Holy Land: Three Personal Prayers ...................................................................................30 2 Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader Part 1: The Meaning of the Day Rosh Hashanah at Home Jewish Family Living – Holiday Celebrations at Home Congregation Beth El, Bethesda, MD The Head of the Year This blessing is the same as the blessing said over the candles on Friday night except for the last words. On Shabbat you The rabbinic sages teach that in our tradition, there are four include the words in the parentheses. new years—one falls upon the first day of the spring month of Nisan (the month in which we celebrate Pesach); another, usually around February, that is the new year of the trees, Tu Blessing Over the Candles B’Shvat; one falls in late summer signifying the annual renewal ָּברּוְך ַא ָּתה הֹ' אֱֹלקינּו ֶמ ֶלְך ָה ָםעֹול ֶאֲׁשר ִקּדְ ָׁשנּו ִּבְמצְו ָֹתיו ִוְצ ָּונּו ַלְהדְ ִליק of tithing of cattle, on the first of Elul; and the fourth is Rosh נרֵ ֶׁשל ַ)ׁש ָתּב ֶ ל(וְׁש יֹום טֹוב: Hashanah. Arriving in early autumn on the first day of the month of Tishrei, this is the most familiar of these new years. It is a holiday on which many find themselves in synagogue, spiritually awakening to the call of the shofar, taking stock of Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, Asher kidshanu the past year, and readying themselves for the year ahead. b’mitzvotav, V’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel (Shabbat v’shel) Yom Tov. Rosh Hashanah at Home Guide Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe whose mitzvot add holiness to our lives and who gave us the mitzvah Since Jewish holidays begin at sunset, most home rituals take to kindle lights for (Shabbat and for) the Festival. place in the evening. The central home ritual for Rosh Hashanah is a festive holiday meal, during which families often use their After lighting the candles, you say Shehecheyanu to thank nicest china and place settings. The following is a step‐by‐step God for enabling us to reach this season. guide for home observance of Rosh Hashanah. It includes information on traditional and symbolic foods to incorporate into your celebration of the holiday, prayers to add during meal Shehecheyanu times with your family, and some ideas for family activities ָּברּוְך ַא ָּתה הֹ' אֱֹלקינו ֶמ ֶלְך ָה ָעֹולם ֶׁש ֶהחֱיָנּו ִוְק ָּיְמנּו ִוְה ִּג ָיענּו ַל ַזְמן ַה ֶּזה: .during this festive time The Order of the Home Service/Ritual: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, Shehecheyanu, v’kimanu v’higi-anu laz’man hazeh. 1. Lighting candles 2. Reciting Kiddush (sanctifying the day with a blessing Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, for over the wine) keeping us alive, for sustaining us, and for helping us to reach 3. Washing hands this season. 4. Chanting Hamotzi (a blessing over the bread) 2. Reciting Kiddush 5. Blessing for eating apples and honey We sanctify the holiday by reciting the special kiddush (blessing 6. The meal over wine) for Rosh Hashanah. It is a custom to ensure that all family members and guests are able to participate by holding 7. After the meal and drinking from their own cup of wine or grape juice. 1. Lighting Candles There are three parts to the kiddush. When Rosh Hashanah falls The holiday celebration begins with the lighting of candles on Friday evening, we include the first paragraph, the Vayechulu, (hadlakat nerot), symbolizing the transition between profane which comes from the Torah. The next part is the daily blessing and sacred time, much like the lighting of candles both at the over the wine or juice. The third piece, the Kiddush is the longer beginning and end of Shabbat. Candles should be lit eighteen blessing sancitifying the festival (and Shabbat) and reminds us of minutes before sunset on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. On creation and the Exodus from Egypt. As with all other festivals, it the second night, candles should be lit one hour later than they is traditional to recite the Shehecheyanu prayer again after the were lit the previous night. kiddush and before drinking. Beth Tfiloh High Holy Day Reader 3 Vayechulu (Only on Shabbat) Shehecheyanu ָּברּוְך ַא ָּתה הֹ' אֱֹלקינו ֶמ ֶלְך ָה ָעֹולם ֶׁש ֶהחֱיָנּו ִוְק ָּיְמנּו ִוְה ִּג ָיענּו ַל ַזְמן ַה ֶּזה: וַ ִיְהי ֶ ֽע ֶרב וַ ִיְהי ֽב ֶֹקר: יֹום ַה ִּׁש ִּׁשי: וַ ֻיְכּלּו ַה ָּׁש ַ ֽמיִם ָוְה ָ ֽא ֶרץ ָוְכ ָל־צְבָאם: וַ ַיְכל אֱֹלקים ַּבּיֹום ַהּׁשְ ִב ִיעי מְ ַלאכְּתֹו ֶאֲׁשר ָע ָׂשה. וַּיׁשְ ִּבֹת ַּבּיֹום ַהּׁשְ ִב ִיעי ִמ ָּכל־ Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, Shehecheyanu