Something I saw:
Allow me to share with you my brief exchange early this morning with the college-age black cashier at Trader Joe’s.
Cashier: lots of people shopping very early this morning, and getting really lots of food.
Me: because tonight begins the two day holiday of the Jewish new year.
Cashier: ah, got it.
Me: can I tell you a little secret: the bottle of honey is the giveaway. If they buy honey it means that they’re celebrating the Jewish New Year.
Cashier: why is that, what’s the connection?
Me: people hope that it serves as a good omen, meant to symbolize our hope for a sweet new year.
Me (continuing): this was a hard year for many people, we can all use some sweetness going forward.
Cashier (her eyes watery as if she’s about to cry) you bet! Very much so.
Then she continued to silently ring up the rest of my big order.
Ten minutes later we were all done.
As I headed to the door she turns to me and says: Rabbi, may you have a sweet new year.
I said: “and the same to you, only sweetness.” And once again she got teary eyed.
As I walked out of the store a poignant phrase from the high holiday tfilla appeared in front of my eyes: ויעשו כולם אגודה אחת, may we ALL be tied together in a single bound of serving G-d.
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Remember: Rosh HaShana is not about you, me, this community or that one. It’s about the world: מלוך על ״כל״ העולם כולו.
My hope and wish for the new year therefore is that the supernal divinity be permeating all of creation, and that, more importantly, we allow ourselves to open our eyes wide enough to notice that, to see and feel the divinity in all of God’s creation.
