B"H
Thursday, Tishrei 8, 5785 / October 10, 2024
There are ten days from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur, they are called, “Aseret Yemei Teshuva” – “Ten days of Repentance.” Now, after Rosh Hashana, we prepare for the Holy day of Yom Kippur – the day in which G-d forgives us for our sins and misdeeds of the past year.
During these days we make a special effort to perform more mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of tzedakah-charity, helping the needy, as we come ask G-d to help us with our own needs for the New Year.
Ever mitzvah we perform makes a big difference. In fact, we never know which is the mitzvah which tips the scale for our good. Thus, we should be careful with every mitzvah.
The story is told of Rabbi Yisrael Meir, Rabbi of Radin, also known as the Chafets Chaim, who once noticed some of the students of the yeshiva, instead of learning, were discussing other subjects. He asked them why they were wasting their time on things other than studying Torah?
They answered, “Rebbe, we studied for hours already, can’t we waste some time… what difference will a few minutes make against the hours we have studied?
Rabbi Yisrael Meir replied, “There was once a man who started dismantling some of the railroad tracks. When the people noticed, they began screaming at him to stop doing it. “You’re going to cause a terrible accident in which many people may lose their lives.”
The man laughed at them, “There are hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of rails… What difference will a few rails totaling a few meters make if they’re removed?”
“But we all know,” said the rabbi, “how silly the man is… A few rails can make all the difference between life and death, if they are disconnected.”
The name “Mitzvah” in addition to command also means, “connection.” Every mitzvah is a connecting factor to G-d, through which G-d’s blessings flow down to us. Thus, we have to be careful to be connected ALL the time and not leave any gaps in our connection.
Q. Why was the 10th of Tishrei chosen as Yom Kippur – as the day when our sins are forgiven?
A. Forty days after the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, the Jewish people sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf. Eighty days later, G-d forgave them for that sin. Yom Kippur is celebrated on the day in which G-d forgave the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calfand the day when Moshe brought down the Second Tablets. G-d chose this day as the day of forgiveness for all generations.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY &
GMAR CHATIMA TOVA - A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW