Reading today's Jerusalem Post, I came across a reflection on how observance of the High Holy Days has changed for American Jews over the course of centuries, and I got to thinking about how the election and the unfolding financial crisis will color this year's.

Jewish Week editor and publisher Gary Rosenblatt examines the election through the lens of the holiday:

As we move toward the final days of the presidential campaign in a nation increasingly divided between Red and Blue, between opposing visions of how America should deal with its growing problems, domestic and foreign, what, if anything, do the High Holy Days teach us?

It’s an age-old challenge for religion, to link our soul-searching to our daily concerns. But in truth the theme of these Days of Awe, like that of this political season, is all about the need for and capacity to change — in this case, the challenge to take stock of our thoughts and actions and turn inward, not to escape reality but to better ourselves in responding to the trials of everyday life.

Judaism is about the here and now. Our sages spent little time postulating on the afterlife, focusing instead on mitzvot whose overarching purpose is summed up by Hillel’s famous axiom: “What is hateful to you, do not do unto others.”

When we are commanded to emulate God and be a holy people, it does not mean to live a life removed from society but rather to engage with others in ways that make them, and us, more human, in the best sense of the word.

Newsday's Bart Jones reports that, in keeping with this spirit, Rabbi Charles A. Klein, chair of the New York Board of Rabbis will prompt his congregation to reflect on our national economic ethos:

Klein said he will tell his flock the crisis raises fundamental questions about who we are as a society and what values we are cultivating.

"What brought the crisis on?" said Klein, who is president of the New York Board of Rabbis. "If it's a result of people accepting the idea that greed is good," then that would contradict Jewish teachings.

Words for believers and nonbelievers alike to ponder.