When We Say ‘Shanah Tovah’ Let’s Remember ‘Shabbat Shalom’

It hit me today that I’ve been receiving hundreds of “Shanah Tovah” greetings but very few of the “Shabbat Shalom” greetings I usually receive on Fridays.

Actually, the fact that Rosh Hashanah falls on a Shabbat in the year of the pandemic is a rare and unique blessing.

The deep contemplation that Rosh Hashanah demands is enhanced by the Shabbat experience. Shabbat itself calls upon us to reconnect with the essentials of life. In the same way that Rosh Hashanah helps us renew ourselves every year, Shabbat helps us renew ourselves every week.

In this bewildering year of never-ending turmoil, we need all the spiritual ammunition we can get. The divine partnership of Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah is now at our disposal. Let’s use them both.

Shanah Tovah and Shabbat Shalom.