Tomorrow evening marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, also known as Rosh Hashanah. For those of you not in the know, this is one of the holiest and most significant days for us Jewish folk. It’s like our Christmas. Except not at all.
Unlike the North American type of New Year, the Jewish one is a touch more serious, with some heavy lessons thrown in for good measure (the Jews love lessons). The idea is that the Big Guy up there opens up his big book of judgment on Rosh Hashanah, and decides whether you’ve been naughty or nice and if you deserve to be written into his Book of Life. If you’re an evil, awful person, then your chances don’t look so good. If you’re a saint, then you likely have a good year ahead. If you’ve made a few mistakes, but are otherwise pretty alright, then you need to spend the next 10 days repenting for your sins and asking for forgiveness and making things right with the Big Guy, before he seals your fate for the year on Yom Kippur.
Okay, so I think that’s a really simplified version and if any religious Jews are reading this, I apologize, but that’s the best I can do right now. Judaism for Dummies.
Last year, we celebrated the holiday the week I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so one might say that there was a bit of a cloud hanging over the holidays. Actually, there was a cloud hanging over pretty much every holiday for the entire past year, and some holidays I even had to bypass completely. So I am looking forward to any holiday where I can sit up, eat some food, enjoy friends and family, and not pass out in the middle of it all.
I don’t think I was really deserving of the past year, and if there is a God up there, I’m pretty sure he got it wrong when he decided what my fate would be for the following year. Unless I did some really, incredibly terrible thing that I have blocked from my memory, but I’m fairly certain that I’m mostly a decent person.
So hey God, if you’re listening, you kind of owe me one. I’ll look past your error this time, since we all make mistakes, and maybe you were just having an off day. It happens. But there is no need to waste time judging me this year. I’ve paid my dues. Please just throw my name straight into your Book of Life. Top of the list. Let’s try to make this year a little better, a little brighter, and a lot less cancer-filled. Thank you.
Shanah Tovah.
pass me another cupcake 
Steph, I’ve followed your blog from the beginning but have never commented. You write beautifully and always bring your situation a little close to home. Shana tova to you and all your family! May you have a sweet and especially healthy year; you deserve it!
Just found your blog – you write beautifully! L’Shana Tova.
Happy New Year! Here’s to a much better year ahead for you and your entire family! ❤
Yea,i spoke to the big guy and he told me you would be okay as long as i promised to talk to him once in a while ,i am doing that ,love you Uncle Jack aunt Fran.
Shanah Tovah to you and all your family! I’m sure your name is written right at the top of the list in indelible ink.
My mom always tells the story that I was born in the middle of Rosh Hashanah and was the cause of her ob/gyn having to leave his dinner table but that he brought a chunk of Challah bread with him which he shared with my dad after finishing the C-section. My mum was miffed because she couldn’t have any 🙂
Wishing you a very Healthy, Happy and Sweet New Year filled with Mazel and chocolate chip cookies!!!!
Shanah tovah, Steph! happy and healthy new year to all! Love, Helene
Happy New Year!
Love! Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly into the book of life
Wishing you a wonderful, peaceful, happy and healthy 5774 🙂 Shanah Tovah! XO
Could have definitely done without you being one of the “chosen” ones last year. You possess great strength of spirit and courage. Here’s to a happy and healthy new year. ❤
Sana Tova Steph, may it be healthy, sweet and happy