10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR ROSH HASHANAH

1. Take a spiritual accounting. Each day take at least 5 minutes to review your last year — a) your behavior with family, friends, associates, and people you’ve interacted with b) your level of mitzvah
2. Attend a class or classes at a synagogue, Aish center, or a yeshiva on how to prepare. Read articles on com and listen to world-class speakers on aishaudio.com, or at Rabbizweig.com.
3. Study the Machzor (Rosh Hashanah prayer book) to know the order of the service and the meaning of the words and prayers. You can buy a copy of The Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Survival Kit, by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf (possibly available at your local Jewish bookstore or at com).
4. Make sure that you have given enough tzedakah (charity) and have paid your pledges (one is supposed to give 10% of his net income). It says in the Machzor that three things break an evil decree – Teshuva (repentance), Tefilla (prayer) and Tzedakah (charity). Why not maximize your chance for a good decree?
5. Think of (at least) one person you have wronged or feel badly towards — and correct the situation.
6. Make a list of your goals for yourself and your family – what you want to work towards and pray for.
7. Limit your pleasures — the amount of television, movies, music, food — do something different so that you take this preparation time seriously.
8. Do an extra act of kindness — who needs your help? To whom can you make a difference?
9. Read a book on character development — anything written by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin would be great!
10. Ask a friend to tell you what you need to improve. A real friend will tell you … but in a nice way!