GOOD MORNING!  Recently I was visiting Aish's New York branch. I saw a beautiful poster they created to promote their program: "Rosh Hashana -- your chance to change your final answer."

Q & A:  WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF ROSH HASHANAH?

One of our worst mistakes is that we give up on ourselves. We accept our limitations as status quo and cease believing in our own potential for greatness. Over time, optimism becomes "realism," and we settle into depression and depressed expectation. We give up on ever being really happy. We accept that we'll never really communicate with our spouses and children. Parents tell their kids: "When you're my age you'll understand." What they mean is: "When you're my age you'll have given up just as I have." We stop trying to grow and start preparing to die. Rosh Hashanah is the opportunity to renew the dream of what life can be -- to come home to our true path, to fulfill our potential.

On Rosh Hashanah we make an accounting of our year and we pray repeatedly for life. How do we justify another year of life? What did we do with the last year? Has it been a time of growth, of insight and of caring for others? Did we make use of our time, or did we squander it? Has it truly been a year of life, or merely one of mindless activity? This is the time for evaluation and rededication. The Jewish process is called "teshuva," coming home --recognizing our mistakes between ourselves and God as well as between ourselves and our fellow man and then correcting them.

We begin by regretting past mistakes. What went awry with our good intentions last year? How did we hurt the people we love? Regret isn't guilt. Regret is a realistic appreciation of loss; guilt on the other hand is self-destruction. Guilt is indulgent self-abuse and avoidance of responsibility; regret is the pained consciousness of lost opportunities. When money falls from my pocket, I regret the loss, sew up the pocket and go on with life. I mustn't waste time with guilt. Mistakes are too costly to repeat. Our mistakes alienate us from ourselves and estrange us from others. The regret of past mistakes gives substance to new intentions.

For the Jew, it is with great joy that we come home to ourselves, to the people we love, to our Father in Heaven. Rosh Hashanah is a time of joy. On Rosh Hashanah we all have a chance to come home!

(adapted from an article by Rabbi Nachum Braverman, Aish HaTorah Los Angeles)

The following Q & A's are from the Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Survival Kit (take it with you to temple or synagogue!) To order one, call toll-free 877-758-3242

Q & A:  ROSH HASHANAH IS THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. WHY DOES GOD JUDGE US?

Life is serious business. Every action has its consequence. If God didn't judge us then there would be no justice in the world. From our perspective, if we feel that we are being judged, we are more likely to treat life seriously. We will then hopefully correct our mistakes in dealing with other people, ourselves and with the Almighty.

Judgment implies caring. If you don't care, you don't judge. We look at God's judging us as the ultimate expression of His love and caring about how we live our lives.

Q & A:  WHY DO WE BLOW THE SHOFAR ON ROSH HASHANAH?

The Shofar is probably the original new year's noise maker. Unfortunately, when you ask many kids "What is a shofar?" they think it is someone who drives a limousine... Rav Saadia Gaon, in the tenth century, gave the following symbolic meanings for the sounding of the shofar:

1. Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the creation of the world and, therefore, the anniversary of God being Sovereign over the world. It is customary to sound trumpets before a newly crowned king and proclaim his sovereignty throughout the realm.

2. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (the days between and including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). The shofar is sounded to call people to repentance.

3. To remind us of our standing at Mt. Sinai where the shofar was blown -- so that we should respond in the same manner as our ancestors to accept the Torah upon ourselves.

4. To remind us of the words of the Prophets who were compared to the sounding of the shofar in calling people to repentance.

5. To remind us of the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (The Holy Temple) in Jerusalem (our enemies blasted trumpets as they attacked). Therefore, we should pray for its rebuilding.

6. To remind us of the Akeidah, the Binding of Isaac, who offered his life to God. Likewise, we are to dedicate our lives to God. (A ram was offered instead of Isaac and that is why we use only a ram's horn to make the shofar blasts.)

7. To feel fear and trembling, to humble ourselves before the Creator.

Q & A:  HOW CAN I MAKE MY EXPERIENCE IN SYNAGOGUE MORE MEANINGFUL?

1. Five minutes of prayer said with understanding, feeling, and a personal connection to the words and their significance means far more than five hours of lip service.

2. "Unfulfilled expectations lead to self-imposed frustrations." Therefore, don't expect to be "moved" by every prayer or to follow along with the entire service.

3. Read through the prayers and slowly think about what you're saying and don't be overly concerned about being behind. Look, the worst that could happen is that you will fall behind, but don't worry, they'll probably announce the pages so you can always catch up.

4. If a particular sentence or paragraph touches you -- linger a while. Say the words over and over to yourself -- softly, but audible to your ears. Allow those words to touch you. Feel them. And, if you're really brave, then close your eyes and say those words over and over for a couple of moments.

5. You're not that proficient in Hebrew? Don't worry, God understands whatever language you speak. And, like a loving parent, God can discern what's in your heart even if you can't quite express it the way you would like.

6. As you sit in your synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, you are joined by millions of Jews in synagogues all other the world. You are a Jew and you are making a powerful statement about your commitment to Judaism and the Jewish people!

Torah Portion of the Week