Monday, Elul 6, 5777 / August 28, 2017
During the month of Elul and on Rosh Hashana we are reminded, through the sound of the Shofar, to wake up, repent and better our ways. Here are two parables from the Magid of Dubna, which explain the meaning of the Shofar.
Years ago, when a fire broke out in the village, all the village people would band together and carry water from the well to put out the blaze.
Once, one of the villagers came to the big city, where he suddenly heard bells ringing and horns blowing. "What is this noise?" he asked. "Whenever there is a fire, we ring the bells and blow the horns and the fire is put out," was the reply.
When he returned to the village he told the elders about his great discovery. "From now on, whenever there is a fire, we too will blow horns and ring bells, like in the big city and the fire will be put out!"
The next time there was a fire, the town elders started blowing their horns and ringing their bells. But the fire only got worse. Before long, half the village was gone. The villager returned to the big city and complained, "How come when we rang the bells, the fire didn't go out?"
"You fool!" they replied. "Do you really think that the bells and horns put out the blaze? They only alert the people that there is a fire. But it is up to every one of us to pitch in and extinguish the fire!"
"It is the same with the sounding of the Shofar," says the Magid of Dubna. The sound of the Shofar is a call to alert and awaken us. But it is up to us to repent and come closer to G-d."
The Magid of Dubna was once asked, "Why is it that some people listen to the Shofar and yet aren't affected and don't better their ways? He explained it with the following parable:
A young blacksmith apprentice came from the village to the big city for the first time. As he went by a blacksmith shop he saw that the blacksmith used a bellows to fan the flame.
"What a great idea", he thought. He bought one of the bellows. "From now on I won't have to blow and exhaust myself to fan the fire!"
He came back all excited. But when he put it to use, nothing happened. He went back to the one who sold it to him and complained. The man laughed. "Only when you have a small fire, can the bellows make it into a flame, but if there is no fire at all, how do you expect the bellows to fan the flame?"
"The Shofar is like the bellows," explained the Magid. "One has to first create a spiritual spark through sincere prayer and only then can the Shofar fan it into a full flame!"
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
Tuesday, Elul 7, 5777 / August 29, 2017
Rosh Hashana is in three weeks. Rosh Hashana begins, Wednesday night, September 20, ushering in the New Year, 5778.
Although Rosh Hashana may vary from year to year on the secular calendar, it is always on the same day in the Hebrew calendar - on the first day of the Hebrew month, Tishrei.
Each holiday has a historical event attached to it. It celebrates a very important occasion which lasts to this very day. Rosh Hashana, as the name implies, is the “head of the year.” On Rosh Hashana begins the New Year.
Q.What is the historical significance of Rosh Hashana to be the day in which the New Year begins?
A. Rosh Hashana is celebrated on the sixth day of creation – the day in which Adam and Eve were created.
Q. Why was the sixth day of creation, when Adam and Eve were created, chosen as Rosh Hashana, not the first day of creation?
A. G-d created the universe so that mankind should "tend to it and keep it" (Gen. 2:15). Thus, the New Year - Rosh Hashana, begins on the day when mankind (Adam and Eve) were created, for the upkeep and continuity of the universe depends on us and is our responsibility.
Q.Why is Rosh Hashana considered the Day of Judgment?
A.On the same day in which they were created, Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit of the "tree of knowledge" and were judged by G-d. It was the day of judgment for Adam and Eve. Our sages in the Midrash explain that G-d said to Adam, "Just as you stood in judgment before me on this day, so will your descendants (the entire world) be judged on this day each year."
Q. What is the meaning of "Rosh Hashana?"
A.The literal translation of "Rosh Hashana" is "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 the entire coming year. Everything that will happen during the coming year is decreed on Rosh Hashana. Indeed, “Shana” which means year in Hebrew, has the numerical value of 355. The average Hebrew year is comprised of approximately 355 days.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
& MAY WE ALL BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED FOR A SHANA TOVA
A WONDERFUL, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESFUL NEW YEAR
Thursday, Elul 9, 5777 / August 31, 2017
One reason is to recall G-d’s testing Abraham when he commanded him to bring his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. The last minute, G-d told Abraham that it was only a test. Abraham brought a ram as a sacrifice instead. The Shofar, which is made of a ram’s horn, serves as a reminder, on this day of judgment, of our forefathers, Abraham and Isaac’s great merits, which we pray will invoke G-d’s mercy on their descendants – the people of Israel.
Another reason is to recall the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which was accompanied by the sound of the Shofar.
Q.What connection does the Giving of the Torah, have with Rosh Hashana - the day of judgment?
A. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev answers this question with the following parable: A king got lost in a forest. He wandered deeper and deeper in the woods, until he lost all hope of ever seeing his beautiful palace again. One day, he suddenly met a man who knew the way out of the forest and helped him get back to his city and palace. The king rewarded the man greatly and made him one of his closest friends.
One day, the man sinned against the king. Knowing that he was about to be severely punished, the man asked of the king to grant him one wish--that he be allowed to wear the same clothes that he wore when he saved the king. The king agreed.
As soon as the king looked at him, he remembered how the man saved his life. Immediately, this invoked feelings of affection in the king. He forgave him, renewed his friendship and restored him to his position.
The same is with the Jewish people, who stand before G-d in judgment on Rosh Hashana. When G-d wanted to give the Torah He approached many nations, but no other nation was willing to accept the restrictions and responsibility of the Torah and mitzvot. Only the people of Israel accepted the Torah and crowned G-d as their king.
By sounding the Shofar on Rosh Hashana which recalls the giving of the Torah, we are saying to
G-d, “Remember when we were there for You, when no one else was. So, please be there for us on this day of judgment when we need You and grant us a happy and healthy New Year.
Q. Why is the Torah reading on the first day of Rosh Hashana about the miraculous birth of Isaac?
A. It was on Rosh Hashana that Sarah became pregnant with Yitzchak, at the age of 90. As a result we read about this great miracle on Rosh Hashana.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
Tuesday, Elul 14, 5777 / September 5, 2017
This Shabbat we read Parshat Ki Tavo. The Parsha begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" – the offering of the "First Fruits" to the Kohen.
The Torah states: "And it shall be, when you come to the land which the L-rd your G-d will give you for an inheritance, and you will posses it and dwell in it. You shall take from the first of all the fruit of the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you and you shall put them in a basket and go to the place which the L-rd your G-d shall choose to cause His name to dwell there [Jerusalem]."
Once in Jerusalem, the basket with the first fruits was given to the Kohen (priest). The person bringing the basket of fruit had to thank G-d for taking the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt; for all the miracles which G-d has done for the Jewish people, and for bringing them, "To this place and giving us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey."
The Torah concludes the mitzvah of Bikurim with the following, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you and to your household."
The mitzvah of bringing the first fruits to Jerusalem does not apply today, as we do not have the Holy Temple. Yet, the spirit of Bikurim, that we must give G-d the first and the best, applies at all times. For the mitzvah of Tzedakah – charity, is to give of the best and to rejoice when giving.
Also, when performing a mitzvah we should buy the best. For example the Mezuzah, the Tefillin and the Talit we wear for prayers, etc., should be of the finest quality.
The mitzvah of Bikurim teaches us that before we enjoy the bounty and blessings which G-d gave us, we must first give back to G-d the portion which belongs to Him. This is accomplished by giving the first fruits to the Kohen, whose sole duty was to serve in the Holy Temple. Bikurim is another form of Tzedakah, giving back to G-d of that which He gives us, through giving and helping others.
The Torah says, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you." The mitzvah of Bikurim teaches us to be happy and rejoice with what G-d has given us. Each of us, when looking objectively, can find plenty of good in their lives which G-d blessed them with.
A person who believes that whatever he or she has is a gift from G-d [“in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you]," will not be jealous of others and thus truly rejoice and be satisfied and happy in life.
Our sages say; "Who is a wealthy person, one who is happy with his lot!" It’s not wealth which brings a person satisfaction and happiness, rather happiness and satisfaction in itself is the greatest wealth!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & A SHANA TOVA
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