There is a new High Holiday book on my shelf that I have been avoiding assiduously, if only for the exalted title: \”This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared.\” Rabbi Alan Lew\’s book, subtitled, \”The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation,\” reminds me that the summer is ending, and the time has come to prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
So, what do math and Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, have in common. On this day, Jews are supposed to do a cheshbon hanefesh. This literally means \”accounting of the soul.\” We count up and categorize all the actions we\’ve taken, and all the thoughts we\’ve had during the year: How many good? How many bad? How many generous? How many selfish? How many useful? How many just a waste of time? Then we decide which actions and thoughts we want to repeat and which we will throw away.
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