This Shabbat is called "Shabbat Shuvah," named after the first words of the weekly Haftarah portion from the book of Hosea, which begins, "Return, return!"  The theme of the haftarah mirrors the theme of this time of year: just as we are in the middle of the Ten Days of Repentance/T'shuvah, so our Haftarah portion is centered around t'shuvah, returning to God.   The Haftarah is one additional reminder that this time of year we should focus on reflection, return, and renewal.

Earlier this week I ran into someone and asked if they were excited about the holidays.  They replied that "excited" wasn't the word they would choose, because if taken seriously this time of year can be a challenge. I realized this person was right--the process of t'shuvah is a difficult one.  But it is also one of the most spiritually rewarding paths we can take.  Everything in our tradition is pulling us to return, to repent, to renew.  Follow this pull, and see where your spirit goes.  If we are lucky, it will, indeed, return -- just as our Haftarah is reminding us to do.  

The customary greeting this time of year is "g'mar chatimah tovah," may you be sealed for good.  Another customary greeting is "tzom kal," and easy fast.  But instead of an easy fast, I wish us all a meaningful fast, so that we will all be sealed for good in the year to come.

For more insight on the High Holy Days and this week’s Torah portion, visit urj.org/torah.

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Annie