Rabbi's Desk

In recent days, we have been blasting the shofar each morning, offering special Selichot prayers, preparing our tastiest recipes, and sending new years salutations. These, and other rituals, serve to communicate that Rosh Hashanah is coming - the most holy days of the year are upon us - and we have work to do. 

We acknowledge that it takes effort and time to repair relationships and correct bad habits. None of it can be accomplished without humbling ourselves and displaying two important ingredients in “humble pie” - receptiveness and communication. 

To hear others gripes against us and to recognize internal flaws and how we may not measure up to what is expected of us is tough. Nevertheless, one may only truly hear by listening with an open mind and a humble heart. Lately, perhaps we have not been the best listeners. Hearing another is done with more than the ears. Hearing uses all of our body language to let the other know that they are being heard. It does not mean that we must always agree. But core to our values is respect and kindness, regardless of difference.

The second ingredient is the ability to communicate openly, not allowing shame or fear of judgement to prevail, and expressing our desire for change clearly, using our words and our actions. This applies to conversations with others, with God, and even with ourselves. 

On Rosh Hashanah, the rabbis took the command to sound the shofar very seriously and instructed that it be blasted more than 100 times. However the blessing, lishmoa kol shofar (to hear the blast of the shofar), implies that the key to effective two-way communication with the Almighty, others, and ourselves, is being receptive to very difficult conversations, and recognizing the impact of our behavior from another's perspective.

May the shofar blasts we hear in a few days encourages all of us to start anew, exercising good judgement to know when to listen and when to be heard. May we apply these principles in our relationships with God, those who we love, those with whom we have little in common, and even with ourselves. 

How do you make a humble pie?
    Take a person
    Add equal parts guilt and hope
    Simmer
    Mix in ingredients for talking and listening
    Garnish with raisins
    Serve and enjoy!

No need to freeze the leftovers. This pie never spoils!

Mara joins me in wishing you and your whole family a very healthy, happy, prosperous, and sweet new year!

Shabbat Shalom & Shana Tova!
Rabbi Suson