A Rosh Hashanah horn, courtesy Shutterstock courtesy Shutterstock

First, a happy new year to all of RNS’ Jewish readers! Shana tova umetuka.

I’m not the only one to say it. So did the new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. He wished “all Jews” a “blessed Rosh Hashanah” on his English-language Twitter account.

Dear Ayatollah Sayyed                                                                    8-17-2012
Ali Hosseini Khamenei:

I’m writing you this letter because, in good conscious, I cannot sit idly by, as innocent blood is being shed among the people of Islam. When Moslems kill Moslems only Satan benefits.My concern is that the same fate that is occurring in Syria will happen in Iran. Even if your country were to obtain Atomic weapons, using them would only be disastrous for everyone involved.As for the State of Israel, it is a state that finds it’s strength in it’s persecution. If you take away the persecution the people will eventually dissolve themselves because prosperity  would add to their corruptible  nature.

I might also add that most of the religions in the world look forward to the coming of Elias. We should all be ready and worthy to receive him when he makes himself present.

God be with you:

Joseph B. D. Saraceno