This is a unique time in the Hebrew calendar; and this process of soul-searching can lead us to make important decisions in life and start the year on a more optimistic and fresh note.

The Jewish New Year is not only the beginning of a new cycle in the Hebrew calendar, but also a time of spiritual correction that can be leveraged in both personal and community life.

During these staccato Biblical holidays from Rosh Hashanah/ The Day of Trumpets through the Day of Atonement and into the Feast of Tabernacles, there is a special emphasis on community and family unity; and for many people these are heady days in which they can make new decisions and push their lives forward.

There are customs and rituals that accompany the holiday, such as an apple in honey that gives us a sweet feeling, or the proclamation “Let us be the head and not the tail.” These customs connect us to the sources, but can also encourage us to take responsibility for our lives and start a new year full of purpose and self-leadership and optimism.

A new year can serve as a springboard for new resolutions in many areas of life. You can literally imagine the new year as a blank page and as an invitation to write a new chapter in the story of our lives.

This year I want to emphasize the blessing “Let us be the head and not the tail.” We will try to understand it more deeply and turn it into a blessing related to reality and not just another duty that we have to perform on the holiday.

“Let us be the head and not the tail” is a quote from the Rosh Hashanah prayers and blessings. It has become one of the most common blessings of the holiday and for good reason. If we listen carefully to what is said and give it special meaning this year, it can give us a starting point for leading our lives.

The metaphor in this blessing can really motivate us to action. Of course, the blessing can also be interpreted as an aspiration for a life in which we lead, initiate and take responsibility for ourselves and are not dragged along by circumstances.

“Head” means to be in a position of leadership as opposed to the tail where we only react to those around us without controlling our own circumstances.

Head also means using our head, trusting our thinking and believing in our own goals. In order for us to succeed in taking responsibility for our life on earth, we should take advantage of every new beginning and set goals that we would like to achieve. Clear goals that allow us to chart a clear path.

It is very important to think in a positive way, i.e. not to write something like:  “I’m not satisfied with my workplace,” but rather, “This year I’m looking for a job in one field or another.”

Be as specific as possible and as clear as possible in the things we would like to add or change in our lives.

For example: “This year I will make sure to dedicate ten minutes to prayer at the beginning of each day. Hallelujah!”

or

“This year I will make sure to have quality time with my spouse at least once a week!”

And so on, in all the surrounding areas of life.

In order to learn to take responsibility for ourselves and lead ourselves forward, we must be self-aware. And this happens when we make time in life for ourselves as well, a calm time that allows for introspection.

Of course, the external environments in which we live, family, friends, co-workers, also influence our lives. Therefore it is important that we surround ourselves as much as possible with a supportive, encouraging and most importantly a loving environment.

Let’s leverage the blessing “Let us be the head and not the tail” and help ourselves live a worthy and blessed life.