SPONSORED BY VICKY WU IN COMMEMORATION OF J.J. GREENBERG'S 4th YAHRZEIT ON 8 TISHREI

Immediately after blowing the shofar on Rosh HaShana, we recite the words "Hayom harat olam", "today is the birthday of the world".

If the world was created in seven days, then which of those seven days is actually observed as Rosh HaShana?

Maharsha comments on the Gemara in Rosh HaShana 10b that Rosh HaShana was established to be celebrated on the first of Tishrei since that was the day that people were created. According to this view, Rosh HaShana commemorates the sixth day of creation. Immediately after Adam and Chava were created, they sinned by eating the fruit that God specifically told them not to eat. Adam and Chava were judged by God in reference to their sin, they went through the tshuvah process (repented) and were forgiven.

Since the first people were given a second chance to start anew, it makes sense for us to commemorate the day of their creation as both a day of renewal as well as a day of judgment (hence "Yom HaDin", judgment day is another name for Rosh HaShana).

As Rosh HaShana spproaches, let's remember that this is a time for repentance as well as renewal and that this is our opportunity to start again with a clean slate.

Shana Tova!