Why is this Rosh Hashanah different from all the other Rosh Hashanahs?

Why is this Rosh Hashanah different from all the other Rosh Hashanahs?

Because on this holiday rabbinic leaders are asking their colleagues to speak out in favor of ethical living.

What a novelty.

Orthodox Jewish leaders urge N.J. rabbis to give sermons on ethical living
by Jeff Diamant/The Star-Ledger

In an unusual move, a group of influential Orthodox Jewish leaders has written a letter explicitly urging American rabbis to speak during this year's High Holiday sermons on the importance of ethical living, in response to some recent high-profile arrests of Jews, including two rabbis in Deal in July.

In the Sept. 3 letter sent to about 2,000 rabbis nationwide, the leaders of Yeshiva University, the Orthodox Union, and the Rabbinical Council of America cited "the recent scenes of religious Jews being led off in handcuffs, charged with corruption, money laundering, and even organ trafficking."...more...