Viewpoint: When procrastination is a Jewish value

The High Holy Days are a reflection of our very being as a Jewish nation.

By RABBI DAVID STAV
Blowing the shofar at the Western Wall before Rosh Hashana (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Blowing the shofar at the Western Wall before Rosh Hashana
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
IN ISRAEL, an often heard phrase at this time of year, particularly in professional circles, is aharei ha’hagim (after the holidays).
When one person asks another when a specific project or initiative will be ready or come to fruition, the response will often be: “After the holidays.”
Indeed, the phrase – and the amount of times one hears it – has become a source of significant comic value in Israel. So much so that from around mid-August until mid-October, it can be relied upon as the ultimate excuse for procrastination – and our government is no exception.
But perhaps beyond the cynicism and humor attached to this phrase, there is a deeper lesson to be learned. It’s not just that holiday preparations preclude our ability to get things done. Instead, I would argue that there is a deeper spiritual importance to this “religiously themed procrastination.”
The High Holy Days are a reflection of our very being as a Jewish nation. On Rosh Hashana, we begin with the recognition that God is the one who created our world and placed humanity within it. On Yom Kippur, we transition to a position where we accept responsibility for our actions, our deeds both good and bad, and ask God for forgiveness for that which we have done wrong. And finally, on Sukkot, we are reminded of the faith that we have as Jews and the qualities of life that God has given us.
During this holiday period, we are immersed in prayer and repentance, but also times of relaxation, enjoyment and family. It is a time where we both set ourselves off from society but also work to connect to those with whom we are closest.
In every sense, it is a time of self-introspection and renewal. Such activity is critical in helping us to become better people and better prepared to accept and confront the challenges of life.
So when we say “after the holidays,” there is undoubtedly an element of procrastination, however, there is also deep value in addressing the challenges and opportunities that arise during this time only after we have undergone this period of self-evaluation.
May we all be blessed that this period bring health, happiness and a year of success, productivity and all that we wish for ourselves and our families!
Rabbi David Stav is the chief rabbi of Shoham, and founder and chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization