This evening is the “Jewish” New Year. In reality it is the anniversary of the creation of man. We have to remember that the reason for the creation was for man to improve the world through his actions, both spiritually and physically.

True humility is not being totally passive and accepting of whatever comes. True humility is standing up for what is right but realizing that you are part of something larger. That was why Moses was the humblest of men even though he led the people for 40 years.

https://youtu.be/QmksLGgarwA

Unlike idolators we are not fated to remain as we are. God has given us the power to improve our status in life, both spiritually and otherwise. It is all in our hands.

With the High Holidays approaching, we have to take into consideration that we will be asking God for forgiveness. But before we can ask God for forgiveness, we have to make it right with our neighbor.

The Torah commands us to choose life over death. We are not a death cult like our enemies. They have famously stated that the difference between us & them is that we choose life and they choose death.

As we get ready to enter the Land of Israel, the Torah gives us blessings and curses. It is stressing that we are to behave in our society as adults. And adults are responsible for their words & actions.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we are taking stock of our actions over the past year and how we can improve ourselves.

When a person commits a crime, he believes that it is acceptable to society. While we should punish the criminal, we should also work to make a better society by making ourselves better people.

The Torah points out that if you want a just and good society you begin with the family. Everything else is based on integrity of the family unit as it is stated in the Book of Genesis. Without a strong family unit society will collapse.

Just because someone disagrees with us does not make them evil. It might make them wrong. Evil people commit evil acts. Mistaken people are wrong.