B"H

Thursday, Elul 26, 5779 / September 26, 2019

From Rosh Hashana until Yom Kippur, we recite four extra passages during the Amidah prayers, asking G-d to inscribe us in the Book of Life. 

In the world we live today, some are, unfortunately, more occupied with "wealth" than with "health."  In the hustle bustle of day-to-day life our priorities may become distorted and we tend to forget to appreciate and be thankful for the miracle called "life" which G-d grants us every second of the every day.

A chassid once came to his rebbe complaining that he had a bad year financially.  The rebbe asked him, "How is your health and the health of your family?"  The chassid replied that health was, thank

G-d, good.  The Rebbe told him to have trust in G-d and quoted him the words of the Talmud, "He Who gives life  will surely give sustenance!"

The rebbe went on to explain the words of the Talmud with the following parable, "A wealthy businessman was traveling home from the fair and had with him a large sum of money.  The way home was long and for Shabbat he stopped at an inn run by a Jewish innkeeper.

"As it is not permitted to carry money on Shabbat, the businessman had no choice but to give his wallet of money to the innkeeper for safekeeping until after Shabbat.  The wallet contained 5,000 rubles plus 5 kopikes (pennies).

"As he didn't know the innkeeper the businessman was worried all Shabbat whether the innkeeper was trustworthy and will he ever see his money again.  Immediately after Shabbat he asked for his wallet which the innkeeper returned.

"The merchant quickly went back to his room to count the money.  He counted the rubles and found all the 5,000 rubles intact." 

The rebbe now turned to his chassid and said, "Do you think that after realizing that the innkeeper returned the 5000 rubles, would the businessman still be worried whether the five pennies-kopikes were also returned?  Only a fool would suspect the innkeeper in not giving back the five kopikes when he was trustworthy with the large sum of 5000 rubles!"

"The same is with you," concluded the rebbe.  "G-d gave you and your family life which is worth far more than anything else in the world.  Don't you think that you can trust Him to give you your livelihood?  If you have true faith that G-d gives you health, you will automatically have faith that He will bless you in your dealings and will provide you with your livelihood as well.  For, "He Who gives life will surely give sustenance!"

HAVE A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & A SWEET NEW YEAR

B"H

Thursday, Tishrei 4, 5780 / October 3, 2019

This Shabbat is the Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Yom Kippur begins Tuesday evening (October 8) through Wednesday (October 9). This Shabbat is called, Shabbat Shuva or Shabbat Teshuva.

The reason some call it Shabbat Shuva is because the special Haftorah for this Shabbat begins with the word, “Shuva”.  Some call it Shabbat Teshuva because the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called, “Aseret Yemei Teshuva” - the Ten Days of Teshuva-Repentence.

The Torah reading this Shabbat is Parshat Vayeilach. It is the shortest Parsha in the entire Torah, consisting of only 30 verses.

Q. In some years Parshat Vayeilach is combined with the previous Parsha, Nitzavim, and read before Rosh Hashana. Yet, in other years, as this year, they are read separately, Parshat Nitzavim before Rosh Hashana and Parshat Vayeilach between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Why?

A. It depends on which day Rosh Hashana starts. When the first day Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbat or Thursday then Nitzavim and Vayeilech are combined. However, if the first day Rosh Hashana falls on Monday (as this year) or Tuesday, then the two Parshiot, Nitzavim & Vayeilach, are read separately. (Rosh Hashana cannot fall on Sunday, Wednesday or Friday).

Reason: After Parshat Nitzavim, there are only two Parshiot left in the Torah that can be read on Shabbat. When Rosh Hashana falls on Monday or Tuesday then there will be one Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and one between Yom Kippur and Sukkot in which we read the regular Torah reading. As a result, the two Parshiot are separated. But, when Rosh Hashana is on Shabbat or Thursday then we will need only one Parsha to be read on Shabbat, thus Nitzavim and Vayeilach are combined.

Q.  During the Yom Kippur services, we recite the "Vidui - confession."  For each sin mentioned, we tap/strike our chest, near the heart.  What is the reason for this?     

A.   Our sages explain that sin begins in the heart.  The Torah tells us, "Remember all the Mitzvot of G-d and perform them; and do not turn after your heart and after your eyes after which you stray..." (Numbers 15:39).  Thus, we "strike" the heart which led us to sin.

Q.  The "Vidui - confession" is said in the plural, "We have sinned...We have transgressed..." etc.  Why do we say it in the plural & not, "I have sinned, I have transgressed..." in the singular?

A.    Our sages explain that as Jews, we are not only responsible for our own deeds, but also for our fellow Jew. If another Jew sinned, we are all partly responsible. We confess and ask forgiveness not only for our sins, but also for others who sinned.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & GMAR CHATIMA TOVA

B"H

Monday, Tishrei 8, 5780 / October 7, 2019

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) will be Tuesday night and Wednesday. Yom Kippur is a day we spend mostly in the synagogue engaged in prayer asking G-d for forgiveness.

Our sages say that G-d performs towards us measure for measure. As we act towards others, so too, He acts towards us. Thus, our sages encourage us that we should be forgiving towards others as a preparation to Yom Kippur. When we come before G-d with our request for forgiveness, G-d will forgive us too.

Q.   Are all sins forgiven on Yom Kippur?

A.  Our sages tell us that only sins committed against G-d are forgiven on Yom Kippur.  Wrongdoings committed against people are forgiven only after receiving forgiveness from that person, and restitution made, if there was any loss incurred to that person.

For this reason, it is customary to ask forgiveness from others before Yom Kippur, especially when one knows for sure that they have done something wrong to them.

Q.  The Hebrew date for Yom Kippur is the 10^th day in the month of Tishrei.  Although the secular date varies from year to year, the Hebrew date is always the same. Why did G-d choose the 10^th of Tishrei as Yom Kippur - the Day of forgiveness?

A. After the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when the Jewish people sinned by making the Golden Calf, G-d wanted to annihilate the entire nation. 

Moshe stood up for his people and pleaded with G-d for forgiveness.  After many prayers, Moshe finally secured G-d's forgiveness for the Jewish people.  It was on the 10^th of Tishrei that G-d forgave the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf  and gave Moshe the Second Tablets.

As a result, G-d designated the 10^th of Tishrei as the day of forgiveness for all generations.

Q.   In addition to the regular candles which we light in honor of Yom Kippur, as we do for Shabbat and holidays, it is customary to light a candle before Yom Kippur which burns until the end of Yom Kippur.  Why?

A.    Our soul is compared to a candle. On this day, when our sins are forgiven and our souls will be shining clear and pure it is befitting to symbolize this through the bright light of a candle.  We also light the candle in honor of the souls of our deceased loved ones whose souls are in heaven.  

Also, the Torah is called “light.” Yom Kippur is the day when Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the Second Tablets. In honor of the Torah, we light a special candle for Yom Kippur.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & GMAR CHATIMA TOVA