Rant #3,547: A Brand New Me

Tonight at sunset begins the first night of Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest, most important holidays on the Jewish calendar.

During the two-day holiday, Jews around the world will assess not only themselves personally, but also the horrid world events that have engulfed the Middle East for just about a year.

There seems to be no end in sight in the war and carnage in that area, and with Iran firing rockets into Israel, there will be no end until the world recognizes, and acknowledges, that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorists, not militants as they have been characterized as, and that they both must be defeated so that Israel--and really the entire civilized world--can feel safer again.

Jews have had to put up with a lot during the past year, and Rosh Hashanah gives us a time to reflect, and hope for the best during the new year.

Coupled with next week's Yom Kippur, these are the most important dates on the Jewish calendar, and Jews the world over will reflect, pray for peace, and hope the hostages can gain their freedom.

Let's look back at the holiday by going back to Rant #91, dated September 18, 2009. Here it is in edited form:

"Tonight is the start of the holiest period during the year for Jews around the world. Rosh Hashanah commences this period, starting at sundown. This holiday continues for the next two days, and is followed by Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Although I am not a religious Jew by any stretch of the imagination, I do participate in these holidays. They are holidays that ask Jews to examine their strengths, and weaknesses, during the past year and to reflect on how they can improve themselves during the upcoming year. They are holidays of both introspection and group prayer.

During Yom Kippur, observant Jews fast, to show their forgiveness to God, and also to show their strength."

Personally, my family and I have had a very, very rough year, and we hope that the new year brings us extra strength and good tidings.

I have asked myself how I can be better during the new year, how I can improve myself, and how I can be a better person.

This year, I do not have an answer to those questions.

Personally, I believe I have been through so much during the past year, and I have been forced to be introspective during this period.

Why me? Why did I have to go through all of this? Was I being punished for something I did or did not do?

If not for the strong family backbone that I am very lucky to have, I don't know where I would be during this past year.

Things are getting better, physically, for me each and every day, so I am evidently winning the battle.

But how can I be a better person?

For the first time ever, I do not have an answer.

The only answer that I can come up with is that one can always be better ...

But how?

L'Shana Tova to all.