Rosh Hashanah 5777: Telling New Stories

By Dan Brosgol

On Sunday night, Jews around the world, along with their families and friends, will begin the celebration of Rosh Hashanah and usher in the new Jewish year of 5777.

While many people know to associate Rosh Hashanah with the celebration of the new year, its greater purpose is to kick off the Ten Days of Awe before Yom Kippur. These Ten Days are the last chance to ask for forgiveness, look inward at our shortcomings, and prepare for the Day of Atonement, which begins at sundown on October 11 and ends 25 hours later on October 12.

According to our tradition, the Book of Life is opened on Rosh Hashanah and closed on Yom Kippur, and as we say in a famous Rosh Hashanah prayer, the Unetanah Toekef,

“On Rosh Hashanah it will be inscribed and on Yom Kippur will be sealed – how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die… Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony and who will be harried, who will enjoy tranquility and who will suffer, who will be impoverished and who will be enriched, who will be degraded and who will be exalted”

Needless to say, there’s a lot on the line.

And while one might not believe that the Book of Life is actually opened and closed over the Ten Days, there’s something to be said for looking forward at the coming year and hoping, if not praying, that it will be one of health, peace, and happiness.

For me, with the year 5777 on the doorstep, I’m certainly on board with that sentiment. In addition to my own wanting to be a better person in the coming year, looking beyond my small sphere of involvement and influence, it’s not a stretch to say that the world is going through a time of upheaval. I think many of us could agree that it would a great thing if we could escape what seems like an endless news cycle of negativity and get the new year off on more positive footing.

And while some might choose to define their world view trapped in this narrative of fear and hopelessness, I’m of the mind that that’s not a good thing. After all, if we are always talking about how bad things are, are they ever going to get better?

Rabbi Rami Shapiro, a poet and essayist, recently wrote the following words about the process of introspection and repentance in the season of Rosh Hashanah:

“Your stories define you. If your stories are positive and loving, then you are optimistic and loving. If your stories are negative and fearful, then you are angry and afraid.”

So here’s a 5777 challenge.

While one might feel hopeless in the face of one’s problems and the world’s problems, Judaism gives us an annual opportunity to hit the reset button. We are able to reflect on the past year and its challenges, and begin the new year with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. And each year, the questions we ask of ourselves can certainly be asked of all people.

Is there a way for us to be better, and for the world to be better? Absolutely.

Do we have the will to make that happen? I hope so.

The process starts within.

I wish you a 5777 filled with health, happiness, and good stories.

For prior years’ Rosh Hashanah posts, please see: