Getting A-Head In The New Year

Why is the Jewish new year called Rosh Hashanna ? I mean, 'head-of-year- ?!? Why not – 'new year' ? Or 'start of year' ?

That is because this isn't just the beginning. When something starts – it is usually slow to get going. The beginning of a party is almost never the most memorable – neither are the first few plays of a crucial game. It's just the start.

The head is something completely different.

Within the head you have the greatest concentration of life enabling processes. The head isn't just the part of you that happens to be tallest – it's the part that's closest to the heavens.

When you try to swim – it's called keeping your head above water. And when you drown (chas veshalom !) it's when your head goes under. More than anything else – where your head is at – is where you're at.

So Rosh Hashanna is not just a time to start something on the right foot – it's a time to figure out where your head is at. When Hashem seeks Adam in Gan Eden right after his sin (which took place on Rosh Hashanna) he asks him one question – "ayeka?" – loosely translated – "Where you at ?!".

Hashem asked Adam that – and each year He asks us too.

Oh, and another thing. In order to put your head where you want it to be – you may just have to stick your neck out a little.

May you be written and inscribed in the good book of health, life and happiness.