Friday, Tishrei 4, 5782 / September 10, 2021
We are now into the New Hebrew year, 5782. Best wishes for a Shana Tova and a Gemar Chatima Tova – A good, happy, healthy and prosperous new year. May ALL our prayers be answered and fulfilled to their fullest. May G-d’s blessings shower down on us from above and bring fruitful growth here below for good health, Nachas and success in all our endeavors.
There are ten days from the first day Rosh Hashana until Yom Kippur (Yom Kippur included). These days are known as, “Aseret Yemei Teshuva” – “The Ten Days of Return-Repentance.” They lead up to the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement, when our sins are forgiven.
It is customary to give extra charity between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Traditionally, plates from various charities are placed in the synagogue before Yom Kippur into which contributions are placed.
In the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers we say, "Repentance, Prayer and Charity nullify a bad decree." Since it is forbidden to handle money on the day of Yom Kippur, we give extra charity on the day before Yom Kippur so that our mercy for others will invoke G-d's mercy on us.
This Shabbat, we read from the Torah, Parshat Vayeilach. Being the Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, it is called Shabbat Teshuva (or Shuva) - Shabbat of Return (repentance). The Haftorah begins, Shuva Yisrael – “Return, O Israel to G-d your G-d, for you have stumbled through your iniquity.” It is a call by the prophet Hosea to the Jewish people to repent and return to G-d.
Moe was a wealthy businessman in the community. One day the rabbi met him at a function and exclaimed, “Moe, I haven’t seen you in Shul (synagouge) for years! Moe replied, “Rabbi, going to Shul has become so boring, for every time I come to Shul they are reciting the same prayer… Kol Nodrei…
There are so many beautiful prayers recited during the year… we should make an effort to attend synagogue on a more regular basis, not just one.. or three days a year. Once we get used to it, it becomes not only spiritually rewarding.. it becomes enjoyable too.
Rosh Hashana was over and Abe needed his tallis cleaned. He called his friend Max to ask what dry cleaner to take it to. Max said, "I take my tallis to Moishe the dry cleaner. He charges only $4.00."
Abe goes over to Moishe's and finds that the ownership has changed. He asks the new owner, Mr. Jones, if he meets the old prices. Mr. Jones assures him that he does.
Three days later, Abe goes to get his tallis and is given a bill for $24.00. He storms, "I thought you’re charging the same as Moishe!"
"I did, " said Mr. Jones, "$4.00 for cleaning the tallis, and $20.00 to untie all the knots…"
We must stay knotted to our traditions... They keep us well connected.
SHABBAT SHALOM - SHANA TOVA & GMAR CHATIMA TOVA
Montreal candle lighting time: 6:56 / Shabbat ends: 7:57