Happy New Year – Prepare to do Battle

“In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations. You shall observe it as a day when the Shofar is sounded.” [Bamidbar 29:1]

Rosh Hashanah means head of the year.  This holiday however, also goes by another name, perhaps less commonly known as Yom Teruah or Day of the Shofar.  The shofar was used for many purposes one of them was to prepare us to go into battle with our enemies.

Rosh HaShanah is also a time for us to reflect on the year that was – our struggles and accomplishments.  Also we look forward to a New Year as a way of striving to live better and longing to improve.

Every year we read the story of Hagar and Sarah and that of Abimelech. These stories remind me of the struggle for Jewish sovereignty.    

We see the internal struggle of Sarah – “Sarah saw the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing. 10 She said to Abraham, "Cast out that slave-woman and her son, for the son of that slave shall not share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” v 9& 10.  It appears that Sarah was somewhat insecure.  She had heard of the promise HaShem made to Avraham.  That Sarah would bear a son and that he would be Avraham’s heir.  

We also see the external struggle between Avraham and Abimelech. “Then Abraham reproached Abimelech for the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized…(v. 25) He replied, "You are to accept these seven ewes from me as proof that I dug this well. (v 30)

The Jewish life is one of struggle and conflict.  We want peace between Jews and Arabs.  We want to live side by side in unity, but at what cost.  Do we as Jews simply acquiesce to the demands of the PLO or the Muslim nations?  God Forbid!!  Do we cow-tow to the pressure from world leaders such as Ahmadinejad or Obama?  No!!

Time Magazine has a Front Page article on their September 13, 2010 issue entitled “ Why Israel does not care about peace”  I personally will be boycotting Time Magazine from now on and all of its holdings.  The truth is Jews want peace – we want to live in peace.  However, you cannot achieve peace when one side (the PLO) will not recognize your sovereignty and refuses to negotiate.

We must be willing to strive for a solution that allows for us to live in harmony while recognizing Israel as the sovereign Jewish homeland.  As Jews, we must not succumb to the pressure from politicians or the media.  We must be strong in our resolve to fight for what we believe.

Thus, this Yom Teruah,  Prepare to sound the Shofar!!  Prepare to do Battle!!

Shannah Tova