Rosh Hashanah / Coming to shul to honor the Number One partner in Creation

The Talmud in Niddah (31a) records that there are three partners in the creation of every human being: the Holy One, a father, and a mother.

Scientific advancement has allowed the process to include what some might call an “assist” by medical professionals, but everyone’s genetic makeup comes from one male and one female, while G-d’s contribution makes it all come together.

On Rosh Hashanah, we utilize a term that is reminiscent of this process when we declare “Hayom Harat Olam” (today is the day of the world’s birth or, more accurately, its conception). On this day, we are cognizant of G-d’s role in the existence of every life form on our planet and we appreciate that Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment for the entire world. Perhaps on account of this, so many Jews make a concerted effort to be in the synagogue to note our collective recognition of G-d’s role in our existence and in the continued existence of the world.

Many synagogues like to tout their membership numbers. Depending on a particular community’s unique makeup, the “active membership” number is not always in sync with the “complete membership” figures. “Inactive members” are generally people who feel a kinship of some kind to the synagogue, most likely show up on the High Holidays, but otherwise are less involved in the weekly shul activities.

“Active membership” is usually defined as those who show up on a weekly basis, on Shabbat. But even the “active membership” numbers do not compare to the numbers that show up on a daily basis.

It is understood that Shabbat is a day when entire families come to the synagogue. We aren’t working, school is off, and where else does one need to be? But even if the weekday is not a family day in the synagogue, where are all the people — the active members?

Every shul has its dedicated members who do show up on a daily basis. Year in and year out, their shul attendance, with the exception of vacations and sick days, is in the 90 percent range.

But many “active members” do not show up during the week. Many active members only become daily active members, ironically, when they are in mourning for the loss of two of the three partners in their own creation. How many people never miss a day during the year of mourning, but as soon as the year of mourning ends, they are never seen in the synagogue during the week?

As we come to the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah, let us take into account that the synagogue is open 365 days a year. Let us commit to being active members not just on the High Holidays, not just during mourning and not just on Shabbat, but also during the week.

While some get the drive to return to the synagogue when they are in mourning, let us merit to come to the synagogue as a tribute to our third partner in creation (who is listed as #1 in the Talmud!), because it is on His account that we live and breathe every day.

Shana Tovah to all.