I always have an internal dilemma when the calendar flips from December 31st to January 1st. On the one hand... it's not OUR new year. What are we counting from? What happened, 2014 years ago? That's right, Jesus's birth. So maybe that's not the most cognitive-dissonance free way to count my years.
On the other hand, it's colloquial. It's handy and convenient. The rest of the world uses these numbers, and barely gives a passing thought, if at all, to what it's commemorating.
On the third hand, I believe in being thoughtful, even if no one else is being particularly thoughtful. And on the fourth hand (sorry, Tevye) maybe any time to take stock and reflect is a good thing.
On Rosh Hashanah, there's an odd prayer/greeting: "May the old year and its curses cease; may the new year and its blessings begin!" And Rosh Hashanah commemorates what happened 5,774 years ago - the creation of the world. But maybe we can ride on some of the holiday spirit, on some of the reflective and grateful spirit, even though "January 2014" technically doesn't mean much to the thoughtful Jew. Maybe we can use these moments to look back, take stock, resolve to be our best selves, and to optimistically take on the new year.
"Who is wise? He who learns from everyone." And with that, I wish you all, not a happy new year necessarily, but for sure, a happy new beginning with much happy news.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Happy New What?
