Rosh Hashanah 5777
Baruch Cohen
According to tradition, Rosh Hashanah, the “New Year” and Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgement, are “Yomim Noraim”, “days of awe” – solemn days. The significance, history, and message of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are embodied in the great treasures of Jewish classical writings: the Bible, Talmud, medieval theological works, poetic interpretive Midrashim, and other religio-philosophical texts.
The High Holy Days’ prayers are of universal significance–not only for the individual, nor even for Israel and the Jewish People alone, but for the entire world, for all mankind – for its redemption, righteousness and truth. On Rosh Hashanah, the shofar’s ram’s-horn blasts call us to remember the just and ethical values of Judaism, and its call for peace and a harmonious gathering of all people. The ringing blast of the shofar also reminds us of our mighty and proud Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its acts of heroism in defense of Israel and the Jewish People. “Tzedek, Tzedec Tirdof: Justice, Justice you shall pursue!”, demands Tanakh, our Bible.
Happy New Year – Shana Tova 5777 to our CIJR family and friends, and to all our supporters. May the coming year be a year of Peace for Israel, for the Middle East and the entire world.
Shana Tova u’mtuka! Have a good and sweet New Year!
(Baruch Cohen, CIJR’s Research Chairman and a Member of the
Montreal Holocaust Memorial Center, will be 97 years old in October.)