With school back in session this month, I am reminded of the three traditional R's -- reading, writing and arithmetic. I thought of the approaching Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, marking the celebration of the birth of mankind. It came to me that there is a moral version of the three R's -- responsibility, reckoning and refocusing.
Between the adventures of Harry Potter and the recall of 18 million Mattel toys, a lot happened in the past year of 5767 (2006-7).
In the animal world, a pooch called Trouble, a white Maltese, was gifted a $12 million trust by the late Leona Helmsley. The $12 million has captured the minds of millions of citizens.
When I hear that a veteran is out on the streets, I wonder if he would be better coming back from Iraq as an alligatorTo be fair, Helmsley left the bulk of her millions to charitable trusts but had this need to care for her pooch, in a grand way I would say.
Reggie the famous elusive alligator was transferred from Machado Lake in Harbor City and given a new home at the Los Angeles Zoo.
His home consists of a personal playground and waterfall. Reggie's escapades during the past two years cost taxpayers more than $200,000.
It has now been reported that Reggie was unhappy with such a palatial habitat and tried to escape. He once again made headlines.
Who knows what is in the minds of alligators or pooches?
What I do know is that the Veterans Administration hospital helps patients of all ages, religions and races. The common goal of the staff is to help the veterans. They medicate, give attention and have a caring ear. When I hear that a veteran is out on the streets and can't get the much-needed attention, I wonder if he would be better coming back from Iraq as an alligator.
At least he would get the coverage, medical care and maybe a clean room with fresh water.
Better yet, become a multimillionaire pooch and have a life.
Television and radio news doesn't discriminate. In less than 20 minutes, the media give you the world. They report on sports scores, suicide bombers, health alerts, school killings, veteran abuse, toy recalls, politics and movie reviews.
The media fill our minds with all kinds of reports from the simple to the complex; everything makes the news. From entertaining shenanigans by actors arrested or saving lost whales to the diabolical killings and bombings, it's all reported.
National calamities such as earthquakes, exploding planes, falling bridges, hurricanes and threats of global warming keep frightening us.
Our space programs are now riddled with accusations of drunken driving. I used to worry about meeting up with someone driving under the influence (DUI). Now we have to worry about flying under the influence, or FUI.
Imagine, an outright drunk flying a billion-dollar research and experimental vehicle. Now that gives a new meaning to being spaced out!
Now how can the mind process so much in such a short while? I wonder, are we really in touch with ourselves?
As we are in a multitask lifestyle, we find ourselves occupied with cell phones, downloading, messaging, texting, photos, watching portable DVDs, banking online and dating all at the same time. What society is suffering from may be a case of sensory overload, causing us to lose our moral compass and sensitivity.
What society is suffering from may be a case of sensory overloadWe need a day to make resolutions, priorities and establish boundaries.
All this brings me to the approaching Jewish New Year -- Rosh Hashanah.
On Rosh Hashanah, Jews worldwide will gather in homes and houses of prayer to usher in the holiday. The holiday is marked by prayer, the blowing of a ram's horn, called a shofar, and the dipping of an apple in honey, symbolic of wishes for a sweet year.
A festive meal includes kosher chicken and wine, making it a special day. This is a day for responsibility, reckoning and refocusing. It is an auspicious time to make new resolutions.
The Jewish New Year really marks the creation of all humanity, and that encompasses all people. The New Year celebration is not a Jewish monopoly, as it marks a milestone for all mankind. I believe that the Jewish New Year is a time for all of us to refocus our values of what is really important and what is trivial.
So dip a piece of apple in honey and have a happy New Year.
