B"H
Friday, Elul 17, 5784 / September 20, 2024
This week's Parsha, Ki Tavo, begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" - bringing the first fruits to Jerusalem to, “leave it before G-d your G-d." Bikurim was given as a gift to the Kohen (Priest) who performs the duties in the Holy Temple.
When presenting the Bikurim to the Kohen, the person bringing it would praise and thank G-d for all the miracles which He performed for the Jewish people. He concluded, "And now I have brought the first fruits of the land which You have given me..."
Giving the Bikurim to the Kohen expressed the giver’s thanks to G-d for the good that he received. Bikurim, as well as giving charity demonstrates that whatever we possess is a result of G-d's generosity.
In the Selichot service, which we recite in preparation for Rosh Hashana (New Year), we pray that G-d bless us with a good year. We don't ask for this as a result of our good deeds, rather we say, "We come before You without good deeds; as poor and indigent we knock on your door [for charity]."
Q. Why do we ask G-d to grant us our needs as a charitable act not as reward for our good deeds?
A. The Magid of Dubna explains it with the following parable: A poor man desperately needed a coat for the winter months. He went from door to door collecting money until he could afford one. He then went, together with his son, to the store to buy the coat.
After choosing a coat, he told the store owner his dire situation of poverty and begged the owner to give him the coat free. The kindhearted store owner pitied him and agreed. However, after he took the coat, he gave the owner the money he collected, thanked him, and left.
His son was puzzled, "Father," he asked, "if you intended all along to pay the merchant for the coat, then why did you ask him to give it to you without charge?"
The father replied, "My son, I never intended to take the coat for free. However, I was afraid that the money I collected was not enough to pay for the coat, therefore I asked him to be kind and give it to me for free. Once he agreed to this, any amount of money which I offered him would be acceptable and he would be very happy, even if it wasn't the full price of the coat."
"The same is with us," explained the Magid. "Can we honestly come before G-d and say that we have done enough mitzvot to warrant His kindness in return for what we have accomplished?”
Therefore, we ask for G-d's mercy and kindness, saying, "We come before You without good deeds; as poor and indigent…" Only after G-d accepts our plea to grant us what we need as a result of His generosity, can our good deeds and mitzvot which we performed during the year, even if they are insignificant, carry the added value to bring us blessings in the New Year.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 6:37 / Shabbat ends: 7:37
UNITED WE STAND AND PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY TO BE RELEASED NOW.
B"H
Tuesday, Elul 14, 5784 / September 17, 2024
The mitzvah of repentance (Teshuvah) applies each day of the year. Yet, it has special significance during the month of Elul until Yom Kippur. These 40 days correspond to the 40 days that Moshe was on Mount Sinai, where he prayed and achieved G-d's forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf.
Rabbi Avraham of Slonim once gave a sermon about the significance of the month of Elul and the importance of Teshuvah-repentance.
Someone said, "Rabbi, what good is repenting, which I try to do, yet I don't feel any spiritual uplifting. In fact, from time to time I fall back into my bad habits. What purpose is there in my repenting?"
Rabbi Avraham replied, "When a person realizes that they are sinking in deep mud and must get out before it’s too late, they have to take big steps and try to get to safe ground. Although, each time the person puts his foot back down, he again steps into the mud, yet, if he stops he will sink completely. But, if he continues, even though he is still in the mud, every move will bring him closer to getting out."
"The same is with Teshuvah. When you try to emerge from the spiritual mud, you may not see any improvement at first. But as long as you keep on making an effort to emerge, you will eventually succeed. The worst thing is to stop, for then you will surely sink in the mud!"
Q. What is the meaning of "Rosh Hashana?"
A. The literal translation of "Rosh Hashana" is not beginning of the year, but "Head of the year." Our sages explain: just as the "head" controls the entire body of the person, so too, on Rosh Hashana, the head of the year, G-d determines what will happen during the coming year. Everything that will happen during the coming year is decreed on Rosh Hashana.
Q. If everything is decreed on Rosh Hashana, why do we pray every day when everything has already been decreed?
A. True, everything has been decreed in heaven on Rosh Hashana, yet for these decisions to reach us here in this physical world, it has to go through many channels and these blessings may not come down here in the physical form we want them in. Thus, we pray each day for health, sustenance, wisdom etc. that the blessings which were decreed should come to us in the proper physical form and that we will see the blessings in a revealed way.
Q. Why is the Hebrew year called, Shana?
A. “Shana” has the numerical value of 355. The average Hebrew year is comprised of approximately 355 days. Hence, a year is called, SHANA. Thus, Rosh Hashana means the head of the 355 days which makes up the year.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY – SHANA TOVA
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
B"H
Monday, Elul 13, 5784 / September 16, 2024
Parshat Ki Tavo, which we will read this Shabbat, tells us about the good which will happen to the Jewish people if they adhere to the ways of the Torah and observe G-d’s mitzvot. On the other hand, the Parsha relates the many difficulties which will befall the Jewish people, G-d forbid, if they do not follow G-d’s commandments.
The Torah says that in reward for observing the mitzvot, “The L-rd will command the blessings with you in your barns and in all that you put your hands to; and He will bless you in the land which the L-rd your G-d gives to you.”
Q. Why does the Torah use the expression “with you,” which implies that we are also a partner (“with you”) in the blessing. It should have said, “The L-rd will command His blessing to you, or upon you, etc.”
A. From this our sages derive an important lesson. G-d’s blessing is like the blessing of rain. Without rain there is no growth in the field. However, rain is a blessing only when the farmer does his part in preparing the field and planting the seeds. If he doesn’t do his part, then the rain is a waste.
The same goes for G-d’s blessings. We also have to do our part, which is the observance of G-d’s commandments. This is the meaning of, “The L-rd will command the blessings with you!” It is up to us. It is through our efforts that G-d’s blessings become productive and fruitful.
The following episode explains it. For many years the same customer visited a certain Jewish restaurant and, without fail, always ordered a plate of chicken soup. In all that time he never once complained about the food or the service. One evening, after being served his customary bowl of chicken soup, he called the waiter back to the table.
”Waiter, taste this soup!” “Why, what’s the matter with it?” asked the waiter.
“Just taste it!”
“Look, if the soup is too cold or doesn't taste right, I’ll take it back and bring you another serving.”
“Just taste the soup!” insisted the client.”
“But why should I taste it? If you don’t want it, you don’t have to eat it. I’ll be happy to exchange it!”
The customer was now angry; “For the last time; TASTE THE SOUP!”
Intimidated, the waiter sat down. “OK, if you insist.” He looked around. “Where’s the spoon?”
“Ah-Hah!” exploded the patron.
The mitzvot we perform, especially the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) are the seeds and the spoon which we need to supply in order to benefit from the blessings which G-d sends our way.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
B"H
Friday, Elul 10, 5784 / September 13, 2024
This Shabbat we read from the Torah Parshat Ki-Teitzei.
Rosh Hashana, which ushers in the New Year, 5785, begins Wednesday night, October 2nd, and is celebrated two days, through Thursday & Friday. Contrary to other Biblical holidays, Rosh Hashana is celebrated two days in Israel just as in the Diaspora.
Q. What is the significance of the holy day of Rosh Hashana?
A. Rosh Hashana is called "Yom Hadin" - "Day of Judgment." Rosh Hashana G-d judges the universe. The "U’nsaneh Tokef" - one of the highly emotional and moving prayers of the High Holidays, which is recited on Rosh Hashana and on Yom Kippur, details the judgment process that occurs in the heavenly spheres on these holy days.
Q. Why, of all days of the year, was the first of Tishrei set as Rosh Hashana - as the Day of Judgment?
A. According to the Talmudic sage Rabbi Eliezer, Rosh Hashana is celebrated on the sixth day of creation, which is the day when Adam and Eve were created. Because Adam and Eve were created on this day, G-d designated it as the Day of Judgment.
Q. Why isn't Rosh Hashana on the first day of creation, when heaven and earth were created and formed?
A. G-d created the universe so that mankind would make it a better world and a dwelling place for G-d, through observing His commandments. Adam and Eve and their descendants, which includes all of us, were entrusted and empowered with the responsibility of spiritually elevating the physical universe. Because this special mission was given to Adam and Eve and their descendants, thus Rosh Hashana was established on the day when Adam and Eve were created.
Q. The mitzvah associated with Rosh Hashana is to hear the sound of the Shofar. What is the connection between Rosh Hashana – the day of Judgment - and the sounding of the Shofar?
A. The Shofar on the Day of Judgment, serves as a wakeup call for inner and self-searching, repenting and coming closer to G-d.
Also, the sound of the Shofar reminds us of the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, which was accompanied by "thunder, lightning and the sound of the Shofar" (Exodus 20:15). Thus, the sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, is a reminder to adhere to and observe the Torah and mitzvot.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 6:50 / Shabbat ends: 7:51
UNITED WE STAND AND PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY TO BE RELEASED NOW.
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