The real meaning of life.

I always thank mom on my birthday for giving me life. What an amazing mom, role model, friend, and confidant she has been through the years. And so much fun to be around. But this year, since I'm doing Jewish genealogy for the Cotopaxi Colony, I wanted to learn a little more about my birthday.

I was born at 5:30 pm on September 29, 1951, at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana.  Before Daylight Savings Time.  And why do I care about any of that?

At 5:30 pm in Indiana, it was the 29th of Elul, 5711 in Jerusalem, 11:30 pm.  That is Erev Rosh Hashana - New Year's Eve in other words in Israel.

In the states, it was still Parashas Nitzavim.  The scripture was Deuteronomy 29:9 - 30:20  The day that God established His covenant with Israel.

WOW!  I could not have a more wonderful birthday date.

The words Parashat Nitzavim means "you are standing".

Now, I know that because of the Hebrew calendar, 9/29 does not always fall on this occassion.  As with this year, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are over and Today is the 21st of Tishrei, 5771 which is Sukkos VII, Hoshana Raba.  the day of the final sealing of judgment.  A guten kvitel - a wish that the verdict is positive.

Funny how 9/29/1951 never had much meaning to me - other than I was a year older and there were presents, a cake, and family around.  But to know now that I was born on the eve of the Jewish New Year, the day God established his covenant with Israel - makes this a huge day that I will rejoice in every year, no matter what day it falls on in the Hebrew calendar.

Deut 30:

¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life — if you and your offspring would live —²⁰ by loving the Lord your God, heeding His commands, and holding fast to Him. For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure upon the soil that the Lord swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them.

I have had 59 amazing years of life.  I'm expecting this one to be even better!

Art notes:  The top 2 pendants have inserts made with metal clay.  All use Nunn Designs Patera blanks.  All use Peg Harper's conditioned Kato Clay and swarovsky crystals from Creative-Crystal.