One of the most significant prayers (tfilot) of the Jewish New Year is ‘Avinu Malkenu.’ It sums up the Rosh Hashana experience, beginning with regret for transgressions. It continues with our personal requests for the coming year and also depicts what we strive for as a society and nation. It’s all-inclusive and a significant factor in the holiday experience.
Logically, this prayer should be directed at the King. He is, after all, omnipotent and runs the world. Yet, we don’t call him only ‘king’; we also allude to him as ‘father.’
When we are small, innocent children, we perceive our parents to be able to do anything. They reign undisputed. Then we grow up and things change. Suddenly we are sure we know better and become critical and judgmental.
It shouldn’t be like that.
Our existence results from a partnership between the Almighty and our parents. We don’t judge or criticize Him. It’s only natural that we maintain the same attitude towards our parents.
Rosh Hashana is about starting with a clean slate; in a way, it’s being reborn. It’s about returning to that innocent pose of a child looking up to his parents.
Be a child. Sometimes, going back is the best way to go forward. ❤️
Wishing you a good, sweet year of joyful parenting.
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