Upcoming Holidays Hold Meaning for Us All

This is the time of year when the focus is on spiritual rituals, celebrations and reflections across all religions and beliefs. Starting in October with Rosh Hashana on October 2-4, we can look forward to Navratri on October 3, Yom Kippur on October 11-12, Sukkot on October 17-23, Samhain [All Hallows] on October 31, and Diwali on October 31 to November 4. 

Next comes All Saints/Day of the Dead on November 1, Birth of Baha’u’llah on November 3, St. Andrew’s Day on November 30, Bodhi Day on December 8, Yule is December 21 to January 1, Christmas is December 25, and December 26 has both Kwanzaa for seven days and Hanukkah for eight days. Lest we forget, there is also Thanksgiving and Halloween. 

Outside of the targeted commercialism and social media systems selling us store-branded values, how can we find solace and create a clear path for ourselves? A personal time to reflect, journey, set intentions, act, check in, and be accountable to the love and peace they are all meant to celebrate? 

For Our Town, I reached out to Rabbi Chaim Loschak, Executive Director of Chabad of Montecito, to share with our readers his thoughts and inspiration about the upcoming High Holiday season. Since arriving here two years ago, he has invited the community – regardless of individual belief – to join in the Chabad’s celebrations, talks, men’s nights, and yes, even baking challah.

Q.What areas do you encourage people of the Jewish faith to celebrate and reflect on during the high holiday? 

A. First, Rosh Hashana means the Head of the Year; it commemorates the birth of the world. We get to think about all the lines of birth, a fresh start. Say to yourself, now I can get a new start on something that’s been a struggle that I’ve had this year. The Shofar instrument sounded during Rosh Hashana serves as a single sound, with a message to each one of us, saying, you know what, I can do better this year.

Obviously, I like to talk about choosing to be good to someone, being kind. We all get caught up in [he puts his hands to his head] the world and our issues. Apologize to your neighbor, talk to your relative that you haven’t talked with in years, that kind of thing.

It’s important to have the one day to take inspiration from for the rest of the year.

Explain the atonement meaning of Yom Kippur? 

The Hebrew word for atonement is ‘repentance,’ but the important thing is that it means ‘return.’ The Jewish New Year is not about the stereotype of Jewish guilt, say about a relationship issue you may have, but rather saying, wow this relationship could be so beautiful. Not coming from a place of, oh my God what did I do, but come from a place of this could be so beautiful and return back to that space.

How is this meaningful for everyone? 

When I talked early about the Rosh Hashana as the beginning of creation, it is the beginning of creation of humans and of everything! The message of Rosh Hashana is for everyone, and everyone can tap into that. 

The interesting thing is, it is called the Head of the Year. Just like our head affects our body and our consciousness, what we think, what we do, so does this time of year. It impacts the rest of the year for us. I can make a decision now that can impact my entire year for good.

Do you have a suggestion on how people can stick to their personal goal?

All this stuff sounds good, but if it’s not put into action then it’s an issue. One needs to check in with oneself daily. I have a spiritual mentor to touch base with, to ask, “how am I doing?”

Rosh Hashana is asking, what is the one small thing I can change right now to become better in a particular area? The path itself has inherent value; the goal is actually the journey. Are we willing to put effort into the journey?

With the undercurrents in the world today, how can we move forward in peace without prejudice and polarity? 

It’s important for us to realize that nothing is random, everything and everyone has a purpose. In the Torah it says everyone is created in the image of God, meaning there is purpose in it. When I see someone else, they have a purpose, I respect that. The Ten Commandments are on two tablets, with the first and sixth commandments right next to each other, they are about having a belief in God and not killing one another.

And for those people who are alone during the holidays?

Everyone needs to be looked out for and cared for, we have the chance to help, to think about how to help others and do it.  

411: www.jewishmontecito.org