Welcome to the initiation of the Jewish High Holidays. It’s the oncoming of autumn, the month of Elul, and Rosh Hashanah is bringing us into the Jewish New Year where we honorably celebrate the creation of the world. Each spark of consciousness brings forth redemption, purpose, responsibility, and gratitude into wholeness as it is collectively merged through the soul this season. Presence is magnifying every thought, prayer, and action. Here are some special moments from my interview with Speaker, Author, and Business Executive Tova Citrin on the Growth Grace and Gratitude Podcast to celebrate Judaism, Spirituality, and Unity.
“One of the most important things about Rosh Hashanah is we’re closing out the old and opening the new. A part of closing out the old is Tikkunim (תיקון – Repairing), making amends with those who we hurt or those who hurt us. That’s the bravery to initiate that conversation and have that weight lifted off your shoulders. It doesn’t always go the way you want it to, but at least you can feel confident and fulfilled that you tried and you did your part in it.” – Tova Citrin
How to Celebrate Rosh Hashanah – Actionable Steps
Celebrate with your family, friends, join your local synagogue for a meaningful experience. Send New Year Greetings with wishes for a “Shana Tova” (שנה טובה), meaning a good year. Enjoy apples dipped in honey for a sweet year, round challah bread for the cycle of life, a head of a fish for an abundant “head of the year”, and a pomegranate for spiritual clarity, as a pomegranate contain 613 seeds, aligning with the number of commandments in the Torah. Participate in Tashlich (תשליך – casting away), a ritual where individuals cast off their sins by throwing pieces of bread into a flowing body of water to start off from a clean slate. Read the Torah for the first day of Rosh Hashanah (Genesis 21), for a story about a miraculous birth and on the second day (Genesis 22), about the story of the Binding of Isaac. Divine beneficence speaks volumes and “z’khut avot” (the merit of the ancestors)” evokes the notion that personal merit remain an intercessory force for good.
*Tashlich is normally performed on the afternoon of the 1st day of Rosh Hashanah. If the 1st day falls on Shabbat, it is moved to the 2nd day.
Shabbat is a sacred time for detachment from the external world and a reattachment to the spiritual essence of the soul through family, friends, remembering the value, significance, and responsibility that friendships and relationships are about. Here is where we find tranquility and clarity, if only for a moment at a time. It brings together moments of delight as everyone gathers in shared meals, songs, prayer, and presence.
“Shabbat is family time. It’s eating, food, Kiddush, a time to disconnect from the crazy busy world and reconnect with yourself, your family, and God. I also keep kosher. What I noticed when I started to be more religiously observant was, because I am empathic, it affected my energy. Energetically I felt more connected, like the pipeline between me and the creator wasn’t so clogged up. It was a lot clearer and cleaner. It’s a work in progress and it’s a relationship with God.” – Tova Citrin on the Growth Grace and Gratitude Podcast
“100%, Shabbat gives your nervous system a much needed reset; less anxiousness, more intentional gratitude. It’s a win-win for the ego and soul!” – Ari, Host of Growth, Grace, & Gratitude Podcast
This year 5787, the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat (beginning at sundown on Friday, September 11, with the first day on Saturday, September 12). Two infused gifts to celebrate and to wake up those that have been sleep walking in the matrix. This integrally amplifies the multidimensional awakening our collective is experiencing. It is also Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. This encourages all Americans to have a moment of silence for the horrific tragedies. It leads towards the Ten Days of Awe, a period leading to Yom Kippur. Solemnity and hope bring pause to begin again.
The journey of growth is something everyone seems to encounter as a gift of change. We crave growth when we feel stagnant and we receive growth as it is thrust upon us when we are asked to evolve spiritually. Sometimes we’ve known of our inner spark since childhood, which fuels growth.
“Since childhood I’ve been a deep thinker and was wondering why am I here? I started to really connect to my tradition, Judaism. I started to become more religiously observant. I ended up coming to Israel. I also went through a recent situation which was a profound professional betrayal. In the middle of a war, a single mom with 2 kids and no clue what to do next. At that moment I realized I was playing too safe. At 52 years old I chose to be me now.” – Tova
The age-old question of “why are we here” is a prime opportunity to reflect on yourself, your past choices, and your future desires. The month of Elul strengthens your relationship to the creator, to yourself, and to others if you allow yourself the space of authentic presence, intentional stillness, and honest reflection.
“I feel like sometimes we struggle with alignment because we’re unable to be detached from our egos. Either we are rushing or inadvertently competing with an unknown entity to appear first, superior, perfect, and this greatly minimizes the potential for grand, authentic success where flow and magic meet.” – Ari
“There’s something about divine timing. Why did my book sit on the shelf for 12 years? Ironically, I couldn’t come up with an ending and now with what is happening with the world and with the rise of Anti-Semitism; I can see the time is now. It needed to be written now for these times.” – Tova
Tova wrote a spiritual thriller about redemption where it’s like The Da Vinci Code meets Kabbalah. She has written music, using her lyrics and AI voice/music to create a healing experience for all to enjoy. On top of that, Tova created a Broadway musical! When divine timing appears, it really makes a cosmic domino effect statement loud and clear.
