|
|
||
HOME
|
|
Musical NotesSeptember 2002From the Desk of Marjorie HochbergAs a Jewish professional, I get all kinds of opportunities to talk about Judaism, sometimes at unexpected times. For example, one of my friends asked me," You don't have rote prayers do you? Prayer should be spontaneous!" Why are public prayers in Judaism ordered, and not just spontaneous? I was reminded of the birchot ha'shachar; the early morning blessings that were originally part of a Jew's wake-up ritual and have become incorporated into the morning service. The first blessing literally says, "Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has given the rooster the understanding to distinguish between the day and the night." This was a blessing people would say upon hearing the rooster crow, thanking God for the gifts of consciousness and conscience. According to one rabbinic source, the rooster symbolizes our hearts which awaken knowing the difference between good and evil. Perhaps I am the only one, but I am confident that upon hearing the rooster crow at or before dawn, my spontaneous prayer would not be "Thank you God for the gift of consciousness." It would more likely be, "Dear God, can't you shut that bird up?" Part of the function of rote prayer is to contradict the human tendency to focus on negativity, selfishness, and pettiness, and to elevate our thoughts, intentions, and deeds in the world. How much more is that true at the Jewish New Year, also called the Day of Remembrance, when we are called to remember our higher aspirations, to heal damaged relationships, to thank God for the gift of creation,and to cast off habits that are harmful or wrong. One of the many customs and traditions associated with Rosh Hashana is Tashlich (literally meaning "you shall cast"). On the day of Rosh Hashana, shortly before sunset, it is customary to go to the shore of the ocean, stream or other body of running water and recite some special prayers, including the lines from Isaiah, "He will take us back in love, God will cover up our iniquites; You shall cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." All assembled then empty their pockets of crumbs into the water, symbolically casting their sins into the depths. Ideally, the water should have fish, which symbolize the plight of humankind. Like the fish, we are beset by tides and circumstances beyond our control. Not for nothing, feeding the fish is also fun! At Temple Emanu-El, the vast and awe-inspiring ocean mentioned by the prophet is displaced by a more humble desert venue: the duck pond in Reid Park. Actually, the duck pond has fish, although the beneficiaries of the cast-off "sins" at Reid Park are usually the ducks. At 5:00 pm on Rosh Hashana (Saturday, September 7th) we will assemble at Ramada #2, close by the pond, enjoy a festive picnic, sing, pray and cast our sins and breadcrumbs into the water. In recent years, Tashlich has emerged as one of the most popular inter-generational events of the year. Don't miss it! Marjorie Hochberg Cantorial Soloist |
