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Rabbi Royde
Rabbi Royde

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A title slide for an article about Rosh Hashana, featuring a honey dipper dripping honey into a jar, surrounded by red apples and apple slices, symbolizing a sweet new year.
The first insight on Rosh Hashana, titled 'Why did God create the world?', with text explaining Rosh Hashana as the day God desired a relationship with humanity, accompanied by a partial globe illustration.
The second insight, 'A Day of Friendship,' explaining Yom Teruah and the shofar sounds as wedding bells, with an illustration of a shofar (ram's horn) at the bottom right.
The third insight, 'The King is in the Field,' describing God's approachability before Rosh Hashana, illustrated with a golden crown at the top right.
The fourth insight, 'Who's on the ballot?', discussing crowning God with love on Rosh Hashana, depicted with a person and a ballot box illustration.
The fifth insight, 'What do we ask for?', explaining the desire for God's glory to be revealed on Rosh Hashana, with an illustration of ancient-style buildings.
The sixth insight, 'Like Sheep before the Shepherd,' describing God's understanding of individual struggles on Rosh Hashana, illustrated with a cartoon sheep.
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6 powerful insights on Rosh Hashana by Rabbi Royde

2025/9/16 Edited to

... Read moreRosh Hashana, often called the Jewish New Year, holds deep spiritual meaning beyond a simple calendar reset. Rabbi Royde offers unique perspectives that help us engage with this sacred day on a more profound level. One key insight is understanding Rosh Hashana as the moment when Hashem chose to create the world specifically to foster a relationship with humanity. This reminds us that our existence is purposeful and divine connection is central. Another fundamental teaching is viewing Yom Teruah—the day marked by the sounding of the shofar—as a 'day of friendship.' The shofar blasts symbolize wedding bells, calling to mind the covenantal relationship made at Har Sinai. This metaphor encourages us to approach Rosh Hashana not just with fear or judgment, but with the warmth of friendship and love. The image of Hashem 'campaigning' before Rosh Hashana illustrates the idea that God is approachable and actively remembers those who seek closeness. This notion invites believers to prepare themselves spiritually, knowing they are noticed individually. The concept of 'who's on the ballot' is especially thought-provoking: our complaints and desires to control the world contrast with crowning Hashem in love—signifying submission to divine will rather than human arrogance. Interestingly, on this day, prayers do not focus on material requests like health or wealth, but on the revelation of Hashem’s glory. This shift in prayer intention reminds us of the ultimate goal: a world illuminated by divine presence and justice. Finally, passing 'like sheep before the Shepherd' symbolizes a personal and compassionate divine encounter. Hashem understands every struggle and pain, reinforcing a comforting message of empathy and support. For anyone observing Rosh Hashana, these insights from Rabbi Royde offer a heartfelt guide to deepen your spiritual practice and embrace this holiday’s true significance. Reflecting on these themes can enrich your rituals and foster a genuine connection with Hashem during this season of renewal.