'Like' your Birthday!
If you are a “Facebook’er”, you might relate to the following daily ritual:
Brush your teeth – check.
Morning prayers – check.
'Happy Birthday' Facebook posting – check.
What a great way to conveniently wish a wide variety of ‘friends’, blessings on their special day!
Facebook really has simplified life for us - in some ways - by condensing things like social gestures and friendships, down to some clicks on the keyboard and virtual ‘thumbs up’ signs.
But is a Birthday that simple?
Are Birthday’s just parties for kids? (When my kids celebrate their birthday’s they barely have time to digest the cake – before starting to plan their next birthday, just a short 12 months away.)
All jokes aside, your Jewish Birthday is extremely significant!
Your birthday is actually described as your personal Rosh Hashana! (That’s why party blowers were invented – a quasi ‘shofar’ type of thing.)
It is the day G-d decided that YOU have a very specific contribution to make in this world and therefore He sent you here, to carry out your personal mission.
A birthday then, is a time to reflect on the year gone by, thanking G-d for the blessings we experienced, celebrating our achievements, and making positive resolutions to progress in those areas that call for more attention, (spending more ‘quality’ time with the family, nourishing our souls…)
Condensed in the 24 hours of your Birthday is an enormous amount of energy and potential, which, when unleashed, can impact your entire year magnificently. (Similar to Rosh Hashana being that first day of the Jewish calendar, which can so strongly impact the rest of the year.)
Tomorrow is my 34th birthday. I will firstly, thank G-d for the overflowing blessings in my personal life, my dear wife Esty and our beautiful children – Mendel, Mushka, Chana & Rochel.
I will also thank G-d for all the special people who make-up ‘The Shul’ community, we would not be where we are without your presence, input, friendship and support.
I look forward to sharing a toast at the Kiddush following services (feel free to come (JFK) just for Kiddush!).
So, with no major intention of disturbing the ‘Facebook Birthday’ formalities, I’d ‘like’ you all to have a wonderful Shabbat and week ahead,
Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky