It's that time of year again

Tonight begins the observance of Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year.   Unlike the secular New Year, Rosh HaShanah is a solemn, contemplative holiday, part of the High Holy Days, observed with prayer and introspection.

On Rosh HaShanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed.

We are taught that on Rosh HaShanah, G-d determines who shall live another year, and who  shall die before the year is out. What fate awaits each of us in the coming year?   We ask G-d to write our names in the Book of Life and we pray that G-d preserves us in life for another year.  On Yom Kippur we atone for our sins through fasting and prayer.  Our fate is sealed on Yom Kippur.

Rosh HaShanah means a family feast.  It means candles on the table, and wine, and a round challah to symbolize the unending circle of life.  We dip apples in honey for a sweet new year.  We go to synagogue to hear the Shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn, and we wish each other L'Shanah Tovah, a good year.

Tonight at Drew's house we shall dine on matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, roast turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. Tomorrow at my mother's house we will have more gefilte fish and matzo ball soup, brisket in gravy and mashed potatoes.

Placed my bakery order yesterday: cookies, cannoli, rugelach.  You should see the cute decorated cookies I ordered from Dortoni.

Here, let me show you -- from the bakery's Facebook:

Absolutely adorable, I can't wait to see my order.
 

And that's only part of it, my sister placed an order with a kosher bakery near our house.  Not sure what she ordered, but it includes challah, of course.  And I'll be stopping by Stew Leonard's for some snowball rolls and pretzel bites. 

Yes, we really do feast....

 

L'Shanah Tovah.  Happy new year, and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life.