Remembering our sins for repentance.
The process of teshuvah – repentance – will hopefully culminate if forgiveness – forgiving those who hurt us; others forgiving us; and finally G-d forgiving us. It is literally a process of atonement that allows us to become at one with G-d and with the rest.
Tradition teaches that the atonement received on Yom Kippur was for those sins between man and G-d. Those sins between man and man must first be repented of between man and man and G-d. Remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift,”
Above all, every man should make amends for all the wrongs he has committed against his fellow men for which there is no atonement unless he makes restitution and begs their forgiveness.
During this time everyone must examine his deeds and turn away from all evil. The reason for this is there is greater need of repentance for sins of which one is uncertain than for sins of which one is certain, because one is more remorseful when he is aware of having committed a sin than when he is ignorant of it. For this reason, the trespass offering for doubtful sins was more costly than the sin-offering for positive sins.
The New Year
Rosh Hashanah means head of the year although this designation was not put upon the feast until at least the second century.
In tradition Rosh ha-Shanah as the New Year is tied to the creation of the world. Thus
in the Talmud there is a debate as to whether the world was created in Nisan (the month when Passover falls) or in Tishri. The Talmud settles the argument by saying, “You are both right,” there being four new years in the Jewish calendar.
1. Nisan 1 is the New year day for kings and months
2. Elul 1 is the new year for tithing of animals.
3. Shevat 15 (Tu Bishvat) is the new year for trees.
4. Tishri 1 is the new year for years and marks the anniversary of creation of the world.
Tradition
According to Jewish tradition, three books are opened on Rosh Hashanah: The book of life for the wicked, the Book of life for the righteous, and the Book of life for the in-between. As the judge of the universe reviews mankinds deeds of the past year he inscribes the name of every individual in to one of these books. Those written in the book of the wicked will have their days and life cut short during the coming year. Those in the book of Righteousness will be granted another year of life and prosperity in the L-rd, and those in the in-between have the sealing of there fate hanging in the balance based upon the repentance during the days of awe. Thus the common greeting. Leshanah tovah tikarevu. May you be inscribed in the book of life for a good year.
