Meltzer is the rabbi of Ohr Shalom Synagogue in Bankers Hill and a lecturer in the Department for the Study of Religion at San Diego State University. He lives in University City.
In the Mishnah, a sacred Jewish text written in the Land of Israel in the third century, there is a masekhet, a treatise, entitled “New Year” (Rosh Hashanah). The opening teaching states that in every year, there are four new years — one related to governmental istration and annual festivals, one related to animal tithing, one related to the counting of the years and one related to trees.
At first blush, most people are struck by the idea of multiple new years in a single year, but if we take a step back, it should make perfect sense to many of us.
A few months back, we began another school year — the beginning of an important calendar to all students, teachers and parents of students! A few weeks ago, we celebrated our youngest’s birthday — the beginning of a new year for her. A few days after that, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary, and the beginning of our 25th year as a married couple.
As a Jew, the holiday we call “Rosh Hashanah,” the New Year, was also a few months ago with the beginning of the year 5784.
So, I observe Jan. 1 each year as somebody who celebrates more than a dozen important new years every year (at least six super important birthdays, an anniversary, four back-to-schools, Rosh Hashanah and Jan. 1).
The first day of 2024 does not mark the new year of my spiritual life, that is Rosh Hashanah. Nor does it mark the day of my deepest reflections about my own being, growth and aging (that’s my birthday), or my day of greatest awareness of all of the gifts for which I am grateful (that would be our anniversary and the birthdays of our four children).
Jan. 1 is very special to me, because of all of the New Years that I mark and celebrate, it is the one that is the most shared by all of my neighbors — local, national and global. Jan. 1 carries a sense of “global new year,” recognizing that it is not completely universal.
It is a time for communal celebration and reflection — in our largest communities. Not all of my neighbors wish me a “happy Rosh Hashanah” in September, or a “happy birthday” in April. But nearly everybody says “happy New Year” at the end of December and the beginning of January.
It is wonderful. I think only Thanksgiving comes close in this sense, and it is limited to an American holiday. Even my old roommate from Montreal and all of my friends from Mexico wish me and each other a happy New Year — “feliz año nuevo” counts.
What a great day. Walking down the street wishing that the new year will bring happiness to everyone. And I think we should add to that wish that the new year will bring not only happiness, but peace, health and joy, and so much more, to be shared with everybody here in San Diego, throughout the United States and around the world.
Especially at this moment when we feel so divided, locally and globally. Especially at this moment when so many of us feel a deep fear for the ubiquitous violence surrounding us. Especially at this moment when so many are suffering illness, poverty, hate and so much pain. Especially as we enter this election year that is already marred by division, animosity, fear mongering, hate peddling and worse.
I hope, share, commit myself, teach and pray that this new year, 2024, will be a year of goodness, prosperity, security, peace, hope, health and joy for you, your family, our city, our state, our country, and this whole planet that we share together.
Happy New Year.
