From Concerned the Christian now Liberated:

The 30% of the NT that is "authentic Jesus" like everything in life was borrowed/plagiarized and/or improved from those who came before. In Jesus' case, it was the ways and sayings of the Babylonians, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Hittites, Canaanites, Old Testament (for the benefit of the prophet of gloom and doom i.e. Farnaz), John the Baptizer and possibly the ways and sayings of traveling Greek Cynics. www. earlychristianwritings.com/theories.html

http://www.seslisozluk.com/?word=hash
http://www.seslisozluk.com/?word=rosh

Hannah

Osethia, Scythians, Gog MAgog, Shape Changer, Prince with Celtic Lady.

1. (Hebrew) start, head, top, beginning (used in expressions such as "Rosh Hashana"). rosh(ezek. 38:2, 3; 39:1) is rendered "chief" in the authorized version. it is left untranslated as a proper name in the revised version. some have supposed that the russians are here meant, as one of the three scythian tribes of whom magog was the prince. they invaded the land of judah in the days of josiah. herodotus, the greek historian, says: "for twenty-eight years the scythians ruled over asia, and things were turned upside down by their violence and contempt." (see: bethshean)rosh the head; top, or beginning.

Israel, keep it as high as You can. do not judge with the lowest You may.

Confused Croissant:

On this very joyous occasion, I suggest you visit Prof. SA's thread where an epic is developing in your honor. On this thread, you are out of your element. As you see, there is no discussion of Fluff, the Magic Muffin and your other little friends.

hi i have read your words and see much wisdom in them ..i would only maybe add that true judgement is between God and the individual in most cases, and no person can truely know any heart but thier own and somtimes that is a difficult job and like you said can and does change with the choices we all make. i have always thought the battle of armeggeddon between good and evil would be fought within the hearts of each individual ..individual not some big army war. it will be about peace and choosing peace for the sake of truth and right. it is the choices we all make in real life when presented with things we know to be wrong and every one tells us to do the violent or dishonest thing instead of the right. thats when possibly lies become neccessary for people who cannot admit the fallisies and weakness that are the reality of all.. human beings i think,. i think when humans take on the role of judgeing another human and condeming maybe they step to far and into the realm of God of coarse i think we all have to observe and have opinions on what we think of another without walking in theier shoes... and in many cases i suspect we are correct.. but the idea that an opinion was to be given the same weight as a judgement i think would violate the ten comandments... i suspect Job may have known this truth all too well, there are people through the ages who have know for certain the error of other people opinions that were substituted for fact or judgement. paul in th e new testament centainly one. most people you would actually want to be judges are the ones who would most not want to do the job.. i think it is also possible for an individual man or woman to be sincerely a member of the three great religions of abraham at the same time. i think abraham himself may have alluded to this possibility now or in the future.. sometimes in life the answer is not true or false this one is right while this other one is wrong but possibly ... all of the above are true... if you want to know what God actually meant... but please check 4 truth.. if any is contained in my words, i'm just the dyslexic son of a son of a blueridge mountain hillbilly and sum tymes wee ain't 2 brite

The complete synopsis of the flaws and errors of today's major religions for those that may have missed previous editions:

1. Abraham founder/father of three major religions was either the embellishment of the lives of three different men or a
mythical character as was mythical Moses, the "Tablet-Man" who talked to burning bushes and made much magic in Egypt.

Many of the 1.5 million Conservative Jews and many of their rabbis have relegated Abraham to the myth pile along with most if not all the OT.

Current crisis:

Realization that the Jews are not god's chosen people.
simpletoremember.com/vitals/ConservativeTorah.htm

2. Jesus was an illiterate Jewish peasant/carpenter/simple preacher man who suffered from hallucinations and who has been characterized anywhere from the Messiah from Nazareth to a mythical character from mythical Nazareth to a mamzer from Nazareth (Professor Bruce Chilton, in his book Rabbi Jesus). Analyses of Jesus’ life by many contemporary NT scholars (e.g. Professors Crossan, Borg and Fredriksen, On Faith panelists) via the NT and related documents have concluded that only about 30% of Jesus' sayings and ways noted in the NT were authentic. The rest being embellishments (e.g. miracles)/hallucinations made/had by the NT authors to impress various Christian, Jewish and Pagan sects.

The 30% of the NT that is "authentic Jesus" like everything in life was borrowed/plagiarized and/or improved from those who came before. In Jesus' case, it was the ways and sayings of the Babylonians, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Hittites, Canaanites, Old Testament (for the benefit of the prophet of gloom and doom i.e. Farnaz, John the Baptizer and possibly the ways and sayings of traveling Greek Cynics. www. earlychristianwritings.com/theories.html

For added "pizzazz", Catholic/Christian theologians divided god the singularity into three persons and invented atonement as an added guilt trip for the "pew people" to go along with this trinity of overseers. By doing so, they made god the padre into god the "filicider".

Current crises:

Pedophiliac priests, atonement theology and original sin!!!!

3. Luther, Calvin, Smith, Henry VIII, Wesley et al, founders of Christian-based religions, also suffered from the belief in/hallucinations of "pretty wingie thingie" visits and "prophecies" for profits analogous to the myths of Catholicism (resurrections, apparitions, ascensions and immaculate conceptions).

Current crises:

Adulterous preachers, "propheteering/ profiteering" evangelicals and atonement theology.

4. Mohammed was an illiterate, womanizing, lust and greed-driven, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, who also had embellishing/hallucinating/ plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.

This agenda continues as shown by the assassination of Bhutto, the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the Islamic bombers of the trains in the UK and Spain, the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani “koranics”, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, and the Filipino “koranics”.

And who funds this muck and stench of terror? The warmongering, Islamic, Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.

Current crises:

The Sunni-Shiite blood feud and the warmongering, womanizing (11 wives), hallucinating founder.

5. Hinduism (from an online Hindu site) - "Hinduism cannot be described as an organized religion. It is not founded by any individual. Hinduism is God centered and therefore one can call Hinduism as founded by God, because the answer to the question ‘Who is behind the eternal principles and who makes them work?’ will have to be ‘Cosmic power, Divine power, God’."
The caste/laborer system and cow worship/reverence are problems when saying a fair and rational God founded Hinduism."

Current crises:

The caste system and cow worship/reverence.

6. Buddhism- "Buddhism began in India about 500 years before the birth of Christ. The people living at that time had become disillusioned with certain beliefs of Hinduism including the caste system, which had grown extremely complex. The number of outcasts (those who did not belong to any particular caste) was continuing to grow."
"However, in Buddhism, like so many other religions, fanciful stories arose concerning events in the life of the founder, Siddhartha Gautama (fifth century B.C.):"

Archaeological discoveries have proved, beyond a doubt, his historical character, but apart from the legends we know very little about the circumstances of his life. e.g. Buddha by one legend was supposedly talking when he came out of his mother's womb.

Bottom line: There are many good ways of living but be aware of the hallucinations, embellishments, lies, and myths surrounding the founders and foundations of said rules of life.

Blessingirl:

"the nurses who prayed for me urged my mother to give me a Hebrew name, which they did. Curiously, I feel this time as one of new beginnings, and always have. Shalom!"

That is a beautiful story. Shalom to you, as well, and a wonderful new year.

coloradodog

That should have been Catholic Senate, which btw., no one can explain. Forgot a few things. Christian Chase and Christian Citigroup.

I shall pray for your bigoted soul.

coloradodog

"High positions and fancy titles do not impress us."

Really? Look at Washington and Wall Street.
---------------------------------------------------
Okay, I'm looking. What do I see? Born again Bush, Born once (and that may have been too much) Cheney, Born again Poulson, etc., Protestant House, majority Catholic Congress. Christian Supreme Court.

Now, on to Wall Street. Chrstian AIG, Christian Wachovia, Christian Washington Mutual, Christian Lehmann Bros. (not always thus, but now is/was)

Moving right along, we come to Exxon and BP, two of the greatest human rights violators of our time, everywhere including here. Whatever do we see? Christians and some Muslims.

And guess what? I'm not impressed. I'm depressed. As depressed by them as I am by your very bigoted self.

Thank you so much, Professor Sarna, for explaining the meaning of Rosh Hashanah. As a Catholic Christian, I wish you peace. Having been born in the elevator of a Jewish hospital--the only private one in Cleveland, Ohio that would accept blacks several years ago--the nurses who prayed for me urged my mother to give me a Hebrew name, which they did. Curiously, I feel this time as one of new beginnings, and always have. Shalom!

"High positions and fancy titles do not impress us."

Really? Look at Washington and Wall Street.

You are a good man, Thomas Baum. We don't see things the same way, my friend, but you are a good man.

Where is this joy now?

CCNL (Confused Croissant)

You write:

1. "Realization that we are all god's chosen people" is a current crisis.

But for whom?

I am leaving Thomas Baum out of this, since he is a thoroughly decent blogger, and his beliefs seem to serve him well.

Christians, Catholics, and others of CC descent, who remain cultural CCs appropriated another person's text, which, in translation, states that Hashem, chose those people with whom to make a particular covenant. That is all.

The centuries old "crises" for your CCs, obersvant or cultural, is that THEY wish to be "chosen," for what (salvation??), is unclear. In this struggle, they've tried everything, from writing their own "Testament" which is supposed to be "New," a "replacement," as it were, of the other people's book, developed theories of typology, etc.

In desperation, your CCs have literally ripped their "New" Testament from the J people's book since it challenged the CC's typological self-aggrandizement. Your CC's have tried everything else they could find to create a self-legitimation myth, including discrediting the entirety of the J people's book.

But the CC's will always be shadowed by the people who have not been damned to hell as the CC's man-god promised. They will always be insecure, always struggling to tell themselves they are the "chosen people," in their services, prayers, etc.

Funny thing. Guess how often the phrase comes up in Judaism?

Confused croissant, worshiping Yehoshua, a figment of Muffinist imagination.

PAGANPLACE

I didn't see you next comment when I replied so here goes, you wrote, "I mean, pardon if I'm getting a little impatient, here, but all these 'Chosen Peoples' and 'true Religions' don't exactly have the greatest track record about this abstract 'evil' you talk about except blaming someone else when there's work to be done."

When I said "Chosen People", I did say that it had nothing to do with them being better or anything of the kind, what I did say was that even God had to make a way to safely come into this world and live long enough to do what He came for.

As for "true Religion", I have said in the past on these posts that "true Religion" is taking care of widows and orphans which is taking care of those that are worse off than we are, which means everyone since everyone is worse off than everyone else in one way or another and I also said that "true religion" doesn't even mention God as in "widows and orphans" which happens to be in the bible.

I have not talked about anyone's track record, individually or collectively, what I have talked about is God's Plan.

As far as "abstract evil", I have mentioned that satan is real and just like Jesus said, "satan is a liar and a thief".

As far as "blaming someone else when there is work to be done", I haven't done that but I have seen on here and in the world in general where the proverbial "scrapegoat" sure does get blamed rather than looking at one's own faults.

Also as far as "work to be done", there are many ways to do things in this world to help others, it is not my place to tell others what they should or should not do but it is up to them to make their own decisions.

You also wrote, "Getting toward where us non-'Chosen' types could use some realtime backup out here."

Two of the things that I have written numerous times are: "God is a searcher of hearts and minds, not of religious affiliations or lack thereof" and "It is important What one does and Why one does it and What one Knows", both of these seem pretty straight forward and to the point.

Then you wrote, "Then you can tell your stories.", I do not need anyone's permission to write what I write and neither does anyone else. God chose me to speak and I am trying to do what I have been chosen to do.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

PAGANPLACE

You wrote, "Thomas.

Jews don't exist just to be an object lesson for *you,* any more than I do."

I have no idea what you might mean by this, do you?

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Rosh Hashana (New Year) is a time for ancient symbolic rituals and tradition but how does it relate to history?

e.g.

"The ram's horn. The Bible mandates the blowing of a shofar, or ram's horn, on Rosh Hashana. There are numerous reasons suggested for this practice:

It recalls the biblical story of the Binding of Isaac, in which the patriarch Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at God's command, but in the end sacrificed a ram instead.

It is reminiscent of the blowing of the ram's horn before the Israelite army went into battle.

Its sound arouses the lethargic soul from moral slumber and spurs a process of repentance.

It foreshadows the ram's horn that will be blown by the Messiah in the eschatological future."

The reality:

Abraham founder/father of three major religions was either the embellishment of the lives of three different men or a mythical character as was mythical Moses, the "Tablet-Man" who talked to burning bushes and made much magic in Egypt.

Many of the 1.5 million Conservative Jews and many of their rabbis have relegated Abraham to the myth pile along with most if not all the OT.

Current crises:

1. Realization that we are all god's chosen people.

2. There was/is no Messiah and there never will be a Messiah.
simpletoremember.com/vitals/ConservativeTorah.htm

And the Jewish calendar that starts with mythical Adam and Eve is historically off by a factor of at least ten.

May you all find the solemnity and introspective blessings your holiday brings.
Peace

Dear Professor Sarna, Happy Rosh Hashanah and a Happy Yom Kippur in advance!

Thank you for your beautiful essay. I'm beginning to feel increasing awe at the wisdom of Judaism, the deep insight into good and evil, and am not at all surprised that God chose to take on human form among the Jews. Jesus Himself said, "Salvation comes from the Jews."

Sparrow wrote to Paganplace

"I'm used to you being much more mellow, except when someone is being a real dork. You're missing the point of the article- it's about the meaning of Rosh Hashonah to Jews. It's not an imposition of religious belief on anyone else. I really don't get what's upsetting you."

Yeah, what's up Paganplace?

paganplace- I'm used to you being much more mellow, except when someone is being a real dork. You're missing the point of the article- it's about the meaning of Rosh Hashonah to Jews. It's not an imposition of religious belief on anyone else. I really don't get what's upsetting you.

"Since "all the world's creatures stand in judgment" on this day, there are limitless possibilities for revitalization and renewal."

Here is where the joy Farnaz mentions comes in. We know we are flawed, but recognize that we as humans have "limitless possibilities" as does the world. We live and die responsible for our own actions, for reflecting on the choices we make, and for doing what we can to heal the world. These responsibilities are great gifts and on Rosh Hashanah we are again made thankful for them.

I mean, pardon if I'm getting a little impatient, here, but all these 'Chosen Peoples' and 'true Religions' don't exactly have the greatest track record about this abstract 'evil' you talk about except blaming someone else when there's work to be done.

Getting toward where us non-'Chosen' types could use some realtime backup out here. Then you can tell your stories.

Gods.

Thomas.

Jews don't exist just to be an object lesson for *you,* any more than I do.

Jonathan D. Sarna

Thank you for this post, it is very interesting.

One of the things that you wrote, " It reinforces three central ideas as necessary today as ever they have been: (1) human frailty, (2) freedom, and (3) assuming responsibility for one's own life choices."

How true. Number 1 could be summed up as man's fallen nature, Number 2 is man's free will and number 3 is also part of man's free will in that it is our choice whether or not we assume that responsibility.

You also wrote, " Human destiny is not predestined. It is never too late to change course.", some people think that "predestination" is something that is imposed on us or something to that effect, actually "predestination" is that God knows whether or not we "repent" that is why God came up with His Plan because since God is God, He knew that not everyone would "repent".

It is very easy to attempt to put God in a box of our own construction but God does not fit into any of those.

God has a Plan and His Plan will come to Fruition and His Plan is for ALL to be with Him in His Kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth.

I look past heaven to the Kingdom, those in heaven are not captive nor are they dead, yes, they may be dead in the physical sense but not in the spiritual sense and yet the dead shall rise and the captives shall be released.

God is a searcher of hearts and minds, not of religious affiliations or lack thereof and it is important what one does and why one does it and what one knows.

The reason that the Jews are the Chosen People is because God chose them, it is that simple, God not only chose them but He formed them.

Being the Chosen People does not mean that they are better or anything of the kind, it just means that they are Chosen.

Isn't it something that God had to find a way to become One of Us where He would live long enough to do what He came for?

And then, He put it into our laps, so to speak.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

"Beautifully stated and all true of course, but we should not forget the joy. No it's not a "rollicking party," but ever since childhood, I have sensed the harmony that creation promised and that we may yet reach. It is especially there in this day, Baruch Hashem."

Yes. The only thing I would add to the essay is that, Rosh Hashanah,in re-membering the birth of the world, brings ineffable joy. Each year is welcomed as the beginning of time is commemorated. Ending with Yom Kippur (the day of at-one-ment) brings our renewed commitment to Tikkun Olam. Hope comes with action.

"Second, divine judgment underscores the autonomy of human beings, their freedom to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, suitable behavior and sinful behavior."

You do realize, of course, that imposing these pre-definitions and then holding an existential gun to people's heads to 'Choose freely between these two things we say are so,' ...isn't really 'autonomy' in practice?

At least not in the spiritual language of those you're trying to speak to, Rabbi. My experience of how many Jews would see this simply doesn't lend itself to that kind of language. Not in English, anyway.

I'm not sure the notion of a 'Birthday of the World' translates so well, either, so maybe trying to equate that with New Years doesn't fly so well for anyone. I'm racking my brains and just can't really find a way that European antiquity really makes that connection. The Christian holiday calendar is kind of based on Rome trying to un-screw-up some calendrical drift about *seasonal* schedules, anyway... secular 'New Years' actually diverged from the Winter Solstice/Christmas cause someone enshrined a 'birthday' of a 'Savior' on a certain date, (maybe to fit with a Hebrew practice) on a Julian calendar, itself a bit of a kludge and correction, ) then when the Gregorian calendar came about, the beginning of the calendrical year got disconnected from *that* date by about eight days, give or take. This kind of suited the purpose of trying to make Christmas all solemn while on the dark of the year there's some regional wisdoms in the 'Feasting before the beef goes bad,' so to speak.

'Birth of the world' doesn't actually enter into what we know as 'New Year's.' So it's an unfair comparison in both directions, really.

Beautifully stated and all true of course, but we should not forget the joy. No it's not a "rollicking party," but ever since childhood, I have sensed the harmony that creation promised and that we may yet reach. It is especially there in this day, Baruch Hashem.

Oh. Judgment comes early in Washington DC.

Thank you for such a beautiful and moving description of the New Year. I'm not the most religous person in the world, but Yom Kippur has always been a soul tearing day for me. I always wondered where my belief in respect for all the "creatures of the world" came from. Now I know- I was raised orthodox and then conservative when I was a child and I've forgotten so much. thank you again for illuminating a bit more of my past and of myself. (And now I know why the cats are sitting and staring at me too!) :-)