Blessed Holidays To You!

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is the fourth day of Autumn - September 26, in my corner of blog land; perhaps it is the fourth day of Spring in your corner. Regardless the season, may you be filled with Kevod Yeheveh, the presence of God, King of the Universe, Creator of our world and the world to come!

For those of us who observe the Jewish calendar as a framework for faith practice, Sunday evening, September 29 begins the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, which opens with the Feast of Shofars or Trumpets waking us to God being in our lives and goings on. For ten days we indulge in soul searching, introspection, and recognizing God's presence in our world and lives: nature, personal activities, stresses, accomplishments, etc etc. This is followed by the Day of Covering, Atonement, and then the celebration of God being our security or Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot. This feast period is eight days in length. Then a new Torah cycle begins the following Sabbath!

Here is a closing thought offered by Rabbi Rick Jacobs of the Union for Reform Judaism concerning this next few weeks. It is from 2017, or Jewish year 5778, but still quite relevant.
Beginning in Elul, and with growing in intensity during the upcoming High Holidays and throughout the new year of 5778, may we hear and respond not only to the shofar’s wailing cries, but also those of the countless people, both near and far, who are crying out for healing and for love.

Shalom and Blessed Rosh Hashanah,
David C. Russell
Mellow Rock