I teach my kids to exercise critical thinking. I also teach them to respect authority.
If my kids’ teacher or principal gives them direction, it’s for my children to obey. If they doubt the instruction’s morality, they need to follow the proper recourse. But, in the end, they need to follow the rules; they don’t make them and they can’t break them.
Accepting authority means recognizing that life isn’t all about you and your desires. There’s a Higher Order to follow, a purpose you may not perceive, and someone with greater vision to set the parameters. That’s a good thing; because the guidelines [usually] help you to become your best self.
In Torah parlance, Rosh Hashana is a day when we “coronate the King”. G-d is King of the world whether we coronate Him or not; G-d’s not running in an election. So why do we need to ‘coronate’ G-d? Because coronating means submitting to a Higher Authority; it means accepting that my life should be guided by a Higher Objective, and just not just my whims. ‘Coronating’ only helps G-d inasmuch as it helps us.
By blowing the Shofar, we pierce through the haze of our own self-absorption, clearing the static obfuscating our souls, so that we can recognize that there’s more to life. We recognize that we’re created with a Purpose, and that life is about trying to align ourselves with that Purpose.
Our Creator, our Designer of Purpose, is G-d. Accepting G-d’s Authority, Coronating G-d as it were, is embracing that Purpose.
Rosh Hashana is also a reunion of sorts. A reunion is about loved ones reconnecting, finding a familiar comfort with each other. The longer they’ve been separated, the more exhilarating the reunion. It’s rediscovering an old melody that’s been imperceptibly playing in the background of your life.
Any time we rise above life’s noise to rediscover our unbreakable relationship with the Divine, we are reuniting with the Divine. And G-d loves it.
But Rosh Hashana is specifically dedicated to reconnecting with G-d, through genuinely welcoming Him into our lives. It’s a day devoted to the relationship.
Rosh Hashana is reconnecting with Dad. Reuniting with Mom. Reprioritizing your life. Renewing your commitment to a meaningful life.
Truly a Special Time.
Be there.
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