Shalom, Mitspacha!
Tonight's renewed moon MUST be sighted for the beginning of the month of Shevi'i, 6028 AA. This sighting is essential because Yom Teru'ah is appointed for the first day of the seventh month. Please watch for and report the renewed moon according to our sighting practice. Please check with the local Muslim community and renewedmoon.com for sighting details.
We do NOT celebrate Rosh Hashana as the beginning of the year. Our New Year begins in spring in the northern hemisphere, in accordance with the appointed cycle established by YHVH. Yom Teru'ah is therefore observed as the appointed day of the seventh month, not as the beginning of a new year.
Today is both Erev Yom Teru'ah and Erev Shabbat. We therefore prepare for the appointed day of YHVH while also preparing to enter Shabbat.
Finality and responsibility of choices
“And when she has made herself unclean, and has acted unfaithfully toward her husband, then the water that causes the curse shall enter her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall waste away; and the woman shall become a curse among her people.”
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 5:27
“For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
- Galatiyim (Galatians) 6:7
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
- Ivrim (Hebrews) 12:1
Our choices have consequences. Torah does not treat our decisions as meaningless or without responsibility. What we choose to do, and what we choose to leave undone, can affect our relationship with YHVH, our families, our communities and our own character.
Finality is therefore not merely about the ending of something. It is also about recognising when a decision has consequences that cannot simply be undone at will. Wisdom requires us to understand the seriousness of our choices before we make them.
YHVH's instructions repeatedly call His people to faithfulness, truth, self-control and responsibility. We are not free to act according to every desire and then expect that the consequences will disappear when the desire has passed.
Responsibility also means accepting the consequences of our own choices rather than continually shifting blame onto others. Repentance requires honesty. Where we have done wrong, we must acknowledge it before YHVH and seek to walk differently.
This does not mean that every consequence is permanent or that restoration is impossible. YHVH is merciful and provides a way for repentance and restoration. But forgiveness does not make it righteous to repeat the same destructive choices without learning from them.
As we approach Yom Teru'ah, we are reminded to awaken, remember and examine our lives before YHVH. This is a fitting time to consider not only what we believe, but what our choices reveal about what we truly value.
Some choices close doors. Some choices create wounds. Some choices establish commitments that carry consequences long after the original decision has been made. Wisdom therefore asks us to think beyond the moment and consider where a particular path will lead.
We should also examine the attachments, regrets and desires that may continue to influence us after a situation has ended. Holding onto what YHVH has instructed us to release can prevent us from faithfully walking into what He has placed before us.
Yom Teru'ah calls us to wake up rather than remain spiritually asleep. It is an opportunity to bring unresolved matters before YHVH, to repent where repentance is required, and to make righteous choices with greater understanding of their consequences.
May we enter this appointed time with sober hearts, recognising that our choices matter. May we learn from the past without remaining trapped by it, and may we move forward in faithfulness, wisdom and obedience to YHVH.
Heavenly Father, YHVH, thank You for Your Torah, Your mercy and Your patience with us. Teach us to understand the seriousness of the choices we make and to accept responsibility for the consequences of our actions.
Give us wisdom before we make decisions. Keep us from acting impulsively according to temporary emotions, desires or pressures. Help us to consider the path before us and the people who may be affected by our choices.
Where we have made wrong choices, give us humility to acknowledge them honestly before You. Lead us into genuine repentance and teach us not merely to regret wrongdoing, but to change our ways.
Help us to release what You have instructed us to release. Guard us from returning to destructive patterns, unhealthy attachments or decisions that You have already shown us must remain in the past.
As we prepare for Yom Teru'ah and Shabbat, awaken our hearts to Your voice. Help us to examine ourselves honestly, to make peace where peace is possible, to establish righteous boundaries where necessary, and to walk forward without carrying what should have been left behind.
Teach us to sow righteousness so that our lives may bear righteous fruit. Give us endurance to continue the race You have set before us, keeping our eyes fixed on the path of obedience.
May this appointed time be a genuine awakening for us. May we remember who You are, remember what You have commanded, and remember that our choices have eternal significance.
Baruch YHVH. Emet.
“YHVH bless you and keep you;
YHVH make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
YHVH lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26
Shalom until tomorrow.