Many Jews regard attending High Holy Day services as the obligatory minimum act they must perform in order to be considered as Jews in good standing. This station identification is seen as the price one must pay for being born Jewish. They figure it is worth a few hours of tedium and perhaps enduring a pitch for money to do one's duty, in the same way we eat healthy food before dessert because our parents told us we should do so, and we would feel terribly guilty if we didn't.

However, the High Holy Days could be so much more, and could even be transformational if approached differently. As a child, I was blessed with a father whose spell-binding homilies, jokes and inspiration led me to look forward to the Days of Awe as a most portentous time, rippling with possibilities for change. My father reminded us that "The greatest of all miracles is that we need not be tomorrow who we are today and can improve if we make use of the potentials implanted in us by God."

As my dad was fond of puns, he would hopefully forgive me for saying that the practice of sacrificing animals is a lot of bull, and always got my goat. The only "ewe" we need to sacrifice to renew our lives is the "ewe" we are today for the new "you" we could become if we lived up to our highest potential, the hopes and dreams of our parents, and the exalted vision of our prophets. We sacrifice this "you" on the altar (alter) of change as we ascend the aisle (in hopes that I'll ascend to a higher level).

Unfortunately, many Jews today fail to take advantage of this annual opportunity for self-improvement, and try to feel renewed by taking a trip to some exotic place. However, the greatest voyage of all is not to see new lands, but to see with new eyes. The word "vacation" literally means to empty out, and it is only when we can declutter or empty out our minds of trivial and negative thoughts, that more positive images can take root and true change can occur. That is why we often wear white on the High Holy Days and engage in soul searching and candid reflection. By honestly reviewing our lives, and examining what works and what doesn't work, rather than just going through the motions of mere existence, we can go through the thrilling emotions involved with the exciting challenge of charting our own destiny.

The great abolitionist Frederick Douglas understood the true purpose of the Days of Awe when he said "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." Each of us is unique and filled with unrealized potential. It is up to us to rid ourselves of the self-imposed slavery to bad habits that keep us chained to the past, and to liberate ourselves from merely trying to please others, so that we can achieve our true destiny.

This challenge of self-reflection and change often seems daunting. One skeptic told motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, "I don't believe in motivation, it never lasts" to which Mr. Ziglar responded, "Neither does bathing, that's why I recommend it daily." In Judaism we seek inspiration weekly, on Shabbat and on all other days that end with the letter "y." Our sages taught us to begin preparing for the Days of Awe in the month of Elul, which precedes Rosh Hashanah, just as an athlete is trained to begin to practice and warm-up long before the big match, in order to do his best. If we begin to review our lives now, we can hit the ground running on the Days of Awe, to maximize our ability to tap into the transcendent power of these sacred days.

With the legalization of marijuana, the High Holy Days takes on new meaning for some. However, motivated Jews need no outside substance to effectuate significant internal change to renew our lives, bring joy to others, and to improve the world.

L'shanah tovah.

Silver is spiritual leader of Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor in Boynton Beach.

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Silver: Seeking re'Jew'venation on the High Holy Days - Sun Sentinel