On Rosh Hashanah we restore the crown — and our focus
Rosh Hashanah is perhaps the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday, where seats are sold at a premium and shuls proudly justify their building campaigns. But while this is a Yom Tov whose rituals are observed across the collective Jewish spectrum (think apples in honey), a deeper look yields many curious features that we accept as givens.
Why does Rosh Hashanah precede Yom Kippur? Logically, first I should implore Hashem for forgiveness, repent my sins, and only then stand before the celestial Judge. What is the point of submitting to judgment that I will attempt to overturn in the ensuing few days?
Why don’t we sleep on Rosh Hashanah? Is the familiar rejoinder, “so you don’t have a sleepy year,” a legitimate answer? Some of us insomniacs would find the prospect of a sleepy year quite appealing!
If Rosh Hashanah is a day of solemnity, why do we partner it with the traditional trappings of a joyous holiday, laying out festive meals and dressing in our finest clothing?
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