Question of the Week:

I was wondering about the Torah readings on Rosh Hashanah. Why do we read about our matriarch Sarah giving birth at age 90? I love that story but I don't see the direct connection to Rosh Hashanah?

Answer:

We are all pregnant. Everyone of us.

Every person has within a life that is waiting to emerge. We have ideas, dreams, ambitions and yearnings within our souls. Some have been there for years and not yet come to the surface.

There are so many reasons why we haven't given birth to our dreams. We lack the confidence in ourselves, or listen too much to the discouragement of others. We tried and failed too many times, or we are scared to change the status quo.

But you can't just stay pregnant forever. You need to give birth to your potential. There comes a time when you have to look at all the obstacles, assess all the risks, face all the fears, and say YOU CAN ALL GO JUMP. I'M DOING THIS.

This is the symbolism of the different sounds of the shofar. We do a long blast called Tekiah, followed by broken wails called Shevarim-Teruah, and then finally a long solid blast called Tekiah Gedolah. The first blast represents our vision, our dream, the deep calling of our soul. The broken blasts are the obstacles stopping us from fulfilling the dream. The final long blast is when we break through and in spite of everything standing in our way, we take a leap and give birth to the dream.

Rosh Hashanah is the time for all this because Rosh Hashanah is a new beginning. Maybe I failed in the past. Maybe I never tried. It doesn't matter. Today's a new day, a new year and a new world. Today's the day for giving birth. Listen to the shofar and make it happen.

So do it. Change your lifestyle. Write the book. Pop the question. Have the baby. Our mother Sarah  gave birth at age 90. It's not too late for you.