We are standing on the threshold of a New Year.

Jews all over the world will be celebrating the

arrival of the year 5770.

 

Part of the Liturgy on Rosh Hashana are the words  

Kutvainu L’chayim often translated as inscribe us

into the book of life or inscribe us to a long life… But

the Sefat Emet (a Chassidik Master) explains that the

literal translation of the phrase is inscribe us in life –

or inscribe us into life.  He then continues by asking,

what does it mean to be inscribed into Life?

 

What is Life?

 

We find in Genesis (2:7) “וַיִּיצֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאָדָם

, עָפָר מִן-הָאֲדָמָה, וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו, נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים; וַיְהִי הָאָדָם, לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה”

  “Then the LORD God formed the earthling of the dust

of the ground, and breathed into its nostrils the breath of

life; earthling became a living soul”.   We can understand

from this that the breath is life.

 

The moment we BREATHE that is life. The instant we

become conscious of our breath, we become present to this

moment. We connect with our surroundings, the people we

are with and the joy or pain of being alive.   In that second

of breath we are here, fully and completely.

 

If life is breath, when we breathe we become present to

What is, and when we become present to what is, we

become conscious. It would be safe to assume that Life

is Consciousness.

 

What does it meant to be conscious?

 

Consciousness is when I am present in the moment. I

am HERE fully and completely. I notice what is required

of me at this time, at this juncture.   Do I stand still and

stay in the bliss of the silence that empties my mind? Do I

pray and beseech that which is Greater Then Self to change

my circumstances?  Do I surrender to Spirit knowing that it

will guide me? Do I step through the door that is open for me?

 

Consciousness is fully engaging in the process of being alive,

of the nuances that the universe provides for us and noticing

the slight change in atmosphere. Understanding when it is

vital to let go and when it is time for action.

 

At this incredible occasion, as we stand on the brink of a New

Year.  I bless you all to be inscribed in Life.  May you be

ALIVE in Life. May you realize that now is today, not yesterday

that even this moment is this moment, not the moment that has

just passed.   Rather it is a new beginning with new possibilities

 and promise. May you fully and completely be present, in every

situation, in every breath.

 

May you be alive in the process of Living.

Shana Tova – A Git Gebentchta Yur – A Sweet New Year

Chani