PENETRATING THE BARRIER
The basic notion of teshuva is to break down the barrier, created by our sins, that separates us from HaShem. By successfully doing teshuvah we create an opening in that barrier and we are able to connect to Him as we were originally able to.
Continue reading Vayeilech 5783THE TIE BREAKER
When HaShem judges the world there are two tracks of judgement. There is the tzadik (righteous) track and the rasha (wicked) track. When HaShem judges a person He identifies on which track the person is. Rambam explains the method by which HaShem defines people as being a tzadik or a rasha is by stacking up their good deeds against their bad deeds. Whichever one outweighs the other defines the person as either a tzadik or a rasha. Rambam continues to explain that it is not the number of deeds that establishes the status but rather the size of the deeds. There are good deeds that although are small in number nevertheless are so great that they outweigh the negative deeds and vice versa. In the event a person’s good deeds and bad deeds are equal then it depends; if he does teshuvah he is counted among the tzadikim and if not, not.
Continue reading Rosh Hashanah 5781RETUNING OR RETURNING?
We currently find ourselves in the Ten Days of Teshuva which begins with Rosh Hashanah and concludes with Yom Kippur. Last week we used the analogy of the orchestra to address the theme of Rosh Hashanah as being the day on which we commit ourselves or perhaps recommit ourselves to the direction of HaShem as our conductor. With our commitment to Him, the Conductor is able to realize His vision and all the members of the orchestra together share in the creation of that vision.
Continue reading Vayeilech 5780GETTING TO THE ROOT
There are only a handful of Shabbosim who carry a second name. Our Shabos carries the name Shabbos Shuva or Shabbos Teshuva. The reason for the first variant is because the haftorah begins with the word Shuva, as Hoshea tells his people to return to HaShem. The reason for the second variant is because it is the Shabbos of the Ten Days of Teshuva. Question: Why then is Friday not called Friday Teshuva, and for that matter, every other day of this week?
Continue reading Vayeilech 5779TURNING TRAFFIC JAMS INTO SERENITY
The theme of Rosh Hashanah and its avoda is accepting upon ourselves the Sovereignty of HaShem as the absolute Sovereign of the universe. The expectation is to accept HaShem as our personal Master, our personal King. To accept His Sovereignty on a personal level means to live with the notion the same way we live with the notion of gravity. We understand gravity and live with it and anticipate its strength on a very actual level.
Continue reading Nitzavim 5781CONVINCE THE OTHER SIDE
In this week’s Parsha, Nitzavim Vayeilech, we are given the mitzvah and the opportunity of teshuvah. The Torah writes “this mitzvah is not far away, it is in your heart and in your mouth to do it”. This implication is that teshuvah is not that difficult; all it needs is the heart.
Continue reading Nitzavim Vayeilech 5780ALL 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.”