The birthday of creation

One of the things I most like about the Jewish New Year is that it's the birthday of the world. The commemoration of the creation of the universe. Only which day is it?

Seven days to create the world, and I think Rosh Hashona is the anniversary of the seventh day (when the Almighty rested, and the creation was complete), rather than the first.

I spoke to some girls from a very strictly orthodox Jewish school during the week; they were wearing yellow stars hanging round their necks. When I asked what that was about, they said the older girls in their school were handing out something to mark each day of the seven days of creation. That day was the fourth day. Stars, they said. Did I know of other ways the word star was used, apart from the stars in the sky and celebrities?

Mmmm, I said. Starry-eyed. At one level it does mean stars like in the sky. But it's to do with a loving belief and faith, usually in someone. Maybe we can be starry-eyed about the beauties of the world we live in, and what life can offer, even when there's no reason to.

So, starry-eyed, I offer you the prettiest bouquet of flowers I've seen this year. It was on display near Selfridges, in the West End, one ordinary day in August.

To those of you who celebrate it, I wish you kesivah v'chasimah tovah-- to be written and sealed for a good year. And I wish the world a good year too. We need it.

Comments

[Rinat]

Shana tova, Judy! :)
I'm sorry. Yesteray I erased some idiot comments on my blog and I guess I erased yours too! :O
Nothing personal, I was just so upset that started presing delete, delete, delete without noticing it was too much!
I might be in London again in Sucot. I'm thinking about it! ($$$) However, I'm in love with the city. I tend to to lose control, heheheh.
Love,
Rinat

[Yankev]

Gmar chasima tovah, Judy1

I was always taught that Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of the SIXTH day of creation, the day that human beings were created. Why the sixth day? Because the purpose of the universe is to create a setting in which each person can choose freely whether to develop into a moral creature with a relationship with G-d, by following G-d's will, or whether to degenerate into an animal by following their own appetites and desires. Only human beings have the power to make this choice, and therefore the world's birthday is the anniversary of the creation of the creature who is an active moral participant in creation.