Shanah Tova!!
It is such a blessing and privilege to be here in Jerusalem celebrating the beginning of a new year! When the sun set tonight, the Jewish year 5771 began. Being here gives the phrase "Next year in Jerusalem" new meaning. :-) We had a special time this afternoon of looking back over the past year and remembering so many amazing happenings and blessings. After dinner a new friend and I walked down to the Western Wall. It was a special time to simply sit and try to take in the atmosphere.
The plaza was not crowded, but those who were there were dressed up in celebration of the new year. There was singing, dancing, smiling, tears, praying, and meeting of friends. The sky was an inky, velvety black and stood in stark contrast to the brightly-lit stone wall. Above our heads, pigeons were peacefully sleeping with their beaks tucked into their wings. It was quite the paradox--amidst the bright lights and joyful celebrations, these birds were relaxed and unruffled. (There's probably a life lesson in that!)
As we walked back home, Psalm 65 echoed through my mind, and it seems completely appropriate to post on this eve of Rosh Hashanah (literally, "top of the year") . . .
Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled.
O You who hear prayer, to You all men will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts!
We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy temple.
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by Your power, having armed Yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
Those living far away fear Your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades You call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so You have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
Shanah Tova (literally, good year)!! :-)
O You who hear prayer, to You all men will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts!
We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy temple.
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by Your power, having armed Yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
Those living far away fear Your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades You call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so You have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
Shanah Tova (literally, good year)!! :-)
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