ALL OUR NEEDS ARE INCLUDEDALL OUR NEEDS ARE INCLUDED
As I look through the Rosh Hashanah machzor I do not find any place to ask for my needs and for those who are dear to me. Is there no place to ask for our needs. Is there not a Jewish expression “bet ois a gut yur”, “Ask Hashem for a good year”?
Continue reading Nitzavim 5779SHOFAR; BLOWING LIFE INTO THE WORLD
The theme of Rosh Hashanah is the coronation of HaShem as the Sovereign of the Uni-verse. Our avoda on this special day is to proclaim Him King. Our success is determined by the level of our commitment to Him as our Master. The questions begs; why does HaShem need our acceptance? Does He have any needs at all? If there is a need how can mortal Man provide that?
Continue reading Nitzavim 5778PURE HEART
In Chapter 30 of our Parsha, Moshe says; “It will be when all these things come upon you; the blessing and the curse… then you will take it to heart among all the nations where HaShem dispersed you, and you will return to HaShem and listen to His voice with all your heart and all your soul. Then HaShem will bring back your captivity and He will have mercy upon you and He will return and gather you in from where He scattered you… He will bring to the Land and do good and make you numerous more than before.” This is a prophecy which we are able to see become alive in our most recent history.
Continue reading Nitzavim 5782YOU ARE CONNECTED! JUST HOLD ON
Verses of 26: 17-18 of our Parsha are difficult to translate because of the strange usage of the causative verb. Rav Hirsch translates them as follows. “Regarding HaShem, you have brought about the fact that people say HaShem is your G.D. He is the G.D of the Jewish people. And regarding you, HaShem has brought about the fact that people say the Jewish people are the people belonging to Him.”
MY CONVERSATION
In this week’s Haftorah we read the prophecy of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) in which he talks to Yerushalayim in the name of HaShem “Lift up your eyes, look around and see that everyone is coming to you. Your sons are coming from distant lands and your daughters will be raised at their side.”
Continue reading Ki Savo 5781MA’ASER
Excerpted from a talk by Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky
In this week’s Parsha, Ki Savo, the Torah instructs us on viduy ma’asser. At the end of the three year tithing cycle we must make a proclamation that we tithed all the tithings in accordance with the prescribed laws. It is noteworthy that this proclamation is called viduy, which means a confession. The question is if we have done no wrong how can this be called a viduy? To what are we confessing?
Continue reading Ki Savo 5780CHANGING PERSPECTIVE
This week we will read the fifth Haftorah of the prophet Yeshayahu consoling his people over their impending galus. They were told of all kinds of horrible punishments that were awaiting them in galus. From the Tochacha of the Torah and from the prophecies of Yishayhu and Yirmiyahu we knew that a very unpleasant journey lay ahead of us.
Continue reading Ki Seitzei 5782THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Rosh Hashanah is the holiday when every member of our people plays a critical role in establishing HaShem as the Sovereign of the Universe. HaShem’s sovereignty is incomplete if there is but one member who fails to accept Him. To appreciate that every bar mitzvah boy carries such significance is an awesome notion in its own right. But consider the following.
Continue reading Ki Savo 5778TESHUVAH; THE HOLISITC APPROACH
This week’s Parsha, Ki Seitzei, opens with the event when we shall go to war against our enemy. The commentaries explain that this verse alludes to the battle in which we struggle against our yetzer hara. As we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we engage in the teshuvah process, the process of returning to HaShem.
Continue reading Ki Seitzei 5778DURABILITY
Excerpted from Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky’s talk.
As we have begun blowing the shofar every morning to prepare us for the great meeting with HaShem to take place on Rosh Hashanah, we would expect to find tips and direction in the Parsha on how to properly prepare ourselves. Naturally, our focus needs to be on bettering ourselves in matters that relate to our relationship with HaShem and with people.
Continue reading Ki Seitzei 5779