Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a holiday dedicated to personal growth. It’s a special time that God gives us to grow and become even better people over the coming year. The most effective way to do this is not to try to improve everything about ourselves at once, but to just pick one or two small things and commit to doing them, one step at a time. Let’s take advantage of the Rosh Hashanah opportunity and have a happy, growth-filled New Year!
In our story, a kid harnesses the power of Rosh Hashanah to grow one step at a time.
Step Right Up
Lisa looked over her shoulder and noticed her roommate, Judy sitting at her desk, busily writing out what looked like a shopping list.
“Hey, Judy, if you’re going to the store can I add one or two things?”
“Huh?”
“To your shopping list. I just need a couple of things from the store to bring home with me for Rosh Hashana vacation and I really don’t have time to go.”
“This isn’t a shopping list, silly.” Judy laughed.
“So what is it, then?” asked Lisa.
“Weren’t you in class today when the teacher told us all about how on Rosh Hashanah we’re supposed to improve ourselves?”
“Sure I was. So?”
“So…this is my Rosh Hashanah list. I just wrote out 20 things I’m going to totally change about myself, starting Rosh Hashanah. Here, listen…” Judy held her list, sat up straight and proudly began:
- I’m never going to lie again.
- I’m never going to oversleep again.
- I’m always going to be in a good mood.
- I’m never going to – ahem – use my roommate’s stuff without asking first.
- I’m never…”
“Wait a minute, Judy,” Lisa cut in.
“What’s the matter?” asked Judy, “If you’re mad about number four, you don’t have to worry. I said I’m never going to do it again.”
“No, it’s not that,” said Lisa. “It’s just that your list is making me dizzy. It’s impossible to do all that stuff so fast and at one time.” Judy put down her list as Lisa went on. “Sure, Rosh Hashanah is about growth – but not all at once! It’s great that you want to improve, but this is way too much at one time. You just need to commit to one small step at a time, and stick to it, that’s all.”
“So, what’s on your Rosh Hashanah list, then?” Judy asked, confused.
“Well, if you really want to know,” Lisa smiled, “I just committed to doing at least one thing to help someone feel good every day.”
“That’s it?” Judy asked, amazed.
“Yeah, that’s it. And if it goes okay, in another month or so, I might commit to doing one more thing each day.”
Judy looked upset. “Well, I think you’ll never get anywhere that way. I’m sticking to my list and I am going to do it all at once. Wait and see!”
The girls went home for Rosh Hashanah vacation. A few weeks later, when Lisa arrived at school and entered her dorm room, Judy was sitting on Lisa’s bed, munching on one of Lisa’s granola bars. When Judy noticed Lisa come in, she jumped up and hid the bar behind her back.
“Oh, hi.” Judy said nervously. “I’m sorry, I, um, must have gotten our beds mixed up or something…” Then she hung her head and took her hand with the half-eaten bar from behind her back. “Oh Lisa, I can’t believe it. I just broke another two of my Rosh Hashanah resolutions at one time. Not only did I take your things without asking, I lied about it too! In fact,” she sniffed, “I haven’t been able to stick to any of my resolutions. I guess it really was too much. Can you ever forgive me?”
Lisa was about to tell Judy off and to say ‘”I told you so!” But then she remembered her own Rosh Hashanah commitment to help someone feel better once a day. Forgiving Judy would certainly make her feel better. She smiled and said, “It’s okay, Judy. I know you’re sorry and I forgive you. So just enjoy the snack and have a happy New Year!”
Nesanel Yoel Safran is a writer, chef, and a teacher/student of Jewish spirituality. He blends these assorted vocations on his blog, Soul Foodie, where you can join him on mystical cooking adventures and glean practical wisdom for the kitchen – and for living. https://soulfoodiecom.wordpress.com/
