B"H

Monday, Tishrei 8, 5779 / September 17, 2018

Q.  Why is it customary that “Tzedakah plates" or “Tzedakah boxes” from various charities are placed in the synagogue Erev (day before) Yom Kippur into which everyone contributes before the holiday? 

A.   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 Yom Kippur, we give extra charity on the day before Yom Kippur.  We pray that our mercy to others will invoke G-d's mercy toward us.

Q.  Yom Kippur begins with the Kol Nidrei prayer.   What is the significance of this prayer?

A.   Kol Nidrei is a prayer in which we declare our vows null and void.  It is in Aramaic, rather than Hebrew, because it was the spoken language of the Jews in Babylon at the time.  The only vows which we can nullify in Kol Nidrei are those which don't involve other people.  However, vows and promises made to others do not become nullified on Yom Kippur.

Kol Nidrei gained much significance during the Spanish Inquisition. Then, many Jews, known as "Marranos," vowed to renounce their religion under the threat of death, yet in their heart remained loyal to Judaism.  They would gather on Yom Kippur in secrecy and use Kol Nidrei to renounce their vows against the religion that was forced upon them. The Kol Nidrei melody chanted today has its roots in the events of that time.

Q.   Why is it important to begin the Kol Nidrei before nightfall?

A.  According to Halacha (Torah law), annulments of vows may not be performed on Shabbat and holidays.  Being that Yom Kippur is a holiday, we begin reciting the Kol Nidrei before nightfall.

Q.  Why do two men stand near the cantor while he recites the Kol Nidrei?

A.   According to Halacha, there should be at least three people present at the nullification of vows. The cantor and two more people act as a Bet Din (panel of judges) required for nullifying vows.

Q.   Why is the Kol Nidrei repeated three times?

A.   According to the Talmud, important announcements used to be repeated three times. The repetition of the Kol Nidrei emphasizes its importance.  On a more practical level, we repeat it so that those who may come a bit late to synagogue should not miss the Kol Nidrei.

May all our prayers be fulfilled. May you and your loved ones be inscribed and sealed for a good, sweet, happy and healthy New Year. May all the good G-d has in store for all of us begin with the beginning of the year and continue throughout the entire year. Amen 

A GMAR CHATIMA TOVA & HAVE AN EASY FAST

B"H

Friday, Tishrei 12, 5779 / September 21, 2018

Sunday night begins the festive holiday of Sukkot.  This holiday is celebrated eight days in Israel and nine days in the Diaspora. 

In Israel the eighth day of Sukkot is called Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah. In the Diaspora, the eighth day of the holiday is Shmini Atzeret and the ninth day is Simchat Torah.

During the first seven days of Sukkot, we eat our meals in the Sukkah. Many also sleep in the Sukkah.  Some eat in the Sukkah also on the eighth day.

During Sukkot (excluding Shabbat) we also perform the mitzvah of reciting the blessing over the Lulav and Etrog.

This mitzvah consists of the following four kinds; Etrog (citron); Lulav (palm branch); Haddasim (myrtle branches) and Aravot (willow branches).  The Lulav, the three Hadasim and the two Aravot are bound together and held in the right hand. The Etrog is held in the left hand. We recite the blessing over them, put the Etrog together with the other ones, then shake them. This mitzvah symbolizes unity amongst the Jewish people.

Although Sukkot is one of three festive holidays, only the holiday of Sukkot is called "Z'man Simchateinu" - "Season of our rejoicing."  The festivity during Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah is much more than the other holidays.

Q. Why is Sukkot considered, "Season of our rejoicing," more than the other holidays?

A.  Three times the Torah mentions and commands us to be joyful and rejoice during Sukkot. Since the Torah repeats three times to be joyful on Sukkot, the holiday became known as "Z'man Simchateinu" - "Season of our rejoicing."  

The next "festive" holiday after Sukkot will be Passover. From Sukkot to Passover is the longest spread between holidays. Thus we must absorb as much joy and spiritual uplifting as possible during Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah so it will last throughout the winter, until Passover.  

Our sages explain that joy and happiness is necessary to perform mitzvot and overcome the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination). When two people are engaged in battle, if one feels dejected, he will lose; while the one who feels happy, elated and excited will win. Similarly, if we approach life with confidence in G-d and happiness, we have a much better chance of overcoming all the physical and spiritual obstacles which are placed in our path. 

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle time: 6:36 / Shabbat ends: 7:36

B"H

Sunday, Tishrei 14, 5779 / September 23, 2018

Tonight begins the most festive holiday, Sukkot, when we leave the comfort of our home and eat in the Sukkah. The Sukkah commemorates the miracle of the special clouds, which surrounded the Jewish people through their forty year journey in the desert. G-d provided the clouds for their protection from the elements, from their enemies and from the snakes and scorpions in the desert. Sukkot is called, “Season of our rejoicing.”

Q.The miracle of the clouds began right after the Exodus, so why is Sukkot celebrated at this time of the year?

A.   Had we celebrated Sukkot in the spring or summer, when the weather is nice, it wouldn’t be obvious that we are doing it for the mitzvah. When we leave the comfort of our home at this time of the year, and go into the Sukkah it is obvious that we are doing it only for the sake of the mitzvah.

Q.  What is the lesson of Sukkot?

A.  This holiday teaches us that the physical pleasures and comforts of this world, our house, our furniture etc. are only temporary - like the Sukkah. Only our spiritual accomplishments, the mitzvot, acts of kindness and good deeds we perform, are everlasting.

This lesson is especially important after Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, when G-d gives us all that we need for the coming year.  We must remember the purpose of our being and use our energy and belongings for what is truly important. Wealth and possessions are a means to achieve spiritual heights.

This parable is worth repeating:  A father was once sitting with his little boy in a restaurant. The little boy noticed a person enter the restaurant who looked different than himself.  "Where is this man from?" he asked his father.  "This person comes from China," his father answered. A little later the boy saw another man enter the restaurant.  "Where is this man from?" he asked. "This man comes from Africa," was his father's answer.  

As time passed, many more people entered the restaurant. His father explained to him that each one comes from a different part of the world.  One from Asia, another from Africa, another from Europe etc.

"Is the food in our town so good that people come from all over the world to eat here?" the little boy asked in amazement.

The father laughed. "These people didn't come to our city for the food. They came here to be at the big fair where they buy and sell their wares. Once they're here, when they have to eat, they come to the restaurant!"  

The same is with the Sukkah.  The Sukkah reminds us that, although we have to attend to our physical needs, we should remember that the purpose of it all is to accomplish our G-dly mission in this world and everything else is only secondary, like the restaurant in the city.      

HAVE A GOOD, HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

CHAG SAMEACH – A HAPPY SUKKOT HOLIDAY