Why the 6th Day?

Tomorrow night (Wed. Night - Fri. Night), Jews worldwide will be celebrating Rosh Hashana, the special holiday which marks the time in which we crown G-d as our King, renewing our desire to connect to and serve Him for another year.

But let's take a closer look at this holiday.
Rosh Hashana literally means "the Beginning of the year," and is a time which marks G-d's Creation of the world.
But the truth is, that the 1st day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, the day in which we observe Rosh Hashana, is marked as the 6th day of creation, not the 1st! If Rosh Hashana marks the creation of the world, Why would G-d not have rather Commanded us to celebrate Rosh Hashana on the day in which marks the 1st day of creation!?

The answer to this question is a very profound one - an answer which actually points out our Raison d'etre (sorry, I just left France) - our very purpose of existence and reason for being. Our Sages explain in the mystical writings, that G-d's Intention for all of creation - from the multitude of spiritual worlds to the innumerable amount of galaxies and creatures that rove our planet - was all for the sake of the human being. All for the 6th day of creation, the 1st day of Tishrei, when Adam and Chava (Eve) were created. That is why we celebrate Rosh Hashanah on this day. Why?
We are told (as quoted in Psalms) that on the 1st day of Creation, Adam brought all created beings together, saying:
"Bo'u Nishtachaveh, V'nichra'ah..." - Come, let us prostrate ourselves and bow down; let us bend the knee before the L-rd, our Maker. (Psalms 95:6)
Man & woman were created in order to perfect creation, the only ones able & entrusted to bring the world to an awareness of G-d and Truth.

But have we done the job?
A quick glance at history might suggest the opposite.
Human beings have done great things, but they've also messed the world up quite badly. Man is capable of the most amazingly great things, but is also capable of the very worst evil.
G-d Had this in mind when he gave Abraham's descendants the Torah. Torah means "Lesson", a guidebook for the journey
of life, showing us the way in which we can perfect the world.
Through adhering to the Torah, the Jewish People would help all to perfect the world - to be a 'Light onto the Nations'.
And we have. As bad as history has been, much growth and progress has occurred. So much goodness and light have shone in the world.
From Ethical Monotheism to equal rights, charity to education, freedom & valueing loving-kindness, the Torah & the Jewish People have reshaped the world.
As the 2nd President of the U.S., John Adams, said in 1808:
“I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations. They have given religion to three-quarters of the globe and have influenced the affairs of mankind more and more happily than any other nation, ancient or modern.”



But there is so much more to do. Moshiach hasn't come yet, the world is still entrenched in hate, serenity escapes us.
The other day I was in Pompeii, Italy, perusing through the ruins of this once glorious city of Roman life. Great pillars and gardens, mosaics and statues.
The greatest dominance & brilliance the world had ever seen. But all that was left from this hedonistic culture were ruins.
Rome's dynasty is no more.
What has remained though are the Jews, bearers of the Torah and proclaimers of G-d's Unity. We have remained for a reason. G-d's Desire for Creating a world wasn't merely for us to indulge in material pleasures and ignore a higher purpose, but to lead the world to a recognition of G-d & a higher Intention.

Rosh Hashana is an opportune, special time for us to re-direct ourselves to this sacred mission of man, entrusted to us from the beginning of creation.

May you have a Chag Sameach! And may you & yours be written & sealed for a sweet year both materially & spiritually!

-Daniel
Venice, Italy

P.S. To see a guide to Rosh Hashana and stories, click here
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May you be written & sealed for a good & sweet year!