Shana Tova,
As we all know, our major focus during the High Holy Days is repentance and atonement. Our job, during these days is to evaluate how we did during the past year. We then seek forgiveness for the mistakes we made and ask for another chance as the new year begins. The Days of Awe will be finished soon. After we find forgiveness on Yom Kippur, we should want to ensure that we become the people we prayed to be during our Holy Days.
One way we can do this is to set goals for ourselves. Goals are an important part of life. They can drive us to be better than we currently are. They can force us to stretch our limitations. If we set appropriate goals for ourselves, they can be positive influences on our lives.
Of course, “appropriate,” is the operative word. We all know people who set unrealistic goals for themselves. Some don’t challenge themselves enough. They set the bar too low, and never really feel the sense of accomplishment which comes from realizing their goals. Others set the bar too high. They set themselves up to fail and leave each unachieved goal hanging over them like a dark, depressing cloud.
Judaism has goals for us too. On Yom Kippur afternoon, we read from Parshat Kedoshim. A section of Torah also known as “The Holiness Code.” We will read this particular section again in the spring. The rabbis tell us that this section of Torah is the physical middle of the entire scroll. Just as it is the core of the Torah, it should also form the core of our existence. This section details our goal as Jews, our central goal. “You shall be holy, for I, Adonai your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:1-2)
At first glance, it sounds unattainable, doesn’t it? How could we ever achieve a goal to be holy, like God is holy? But it is actually quite reachable. The rest of the portion spells out the behaviors we should emulate if we are to be holy, like God. They can be summed up in one word, “respect.” Parshat Kedoshim teaches us to respect God, to respect those less fortunate than us, to respect our neighbors, and to respect ourselves. When we emulate this quality, when we learn to respect those around us, then we become like God in a significant way. We become holy.
I wish you all a good, sweet, and holy year.
G’mar Chatimah Tova
May we be inscribed for good.
Rabbi Todd