B"H

Monday, Elul 11, 5780 / August 31, 2020

Every holiday, in addition to the special prayers and the special Torah readings which pertain to that holiday, there are also the foods we eat which tell the story of that holiday. 

Rosh Hashana, which begins Friday night, September 18th, is no different.  Rosh Hashana we eat certain foods which express our desire and wish that G-d grant us a happy, healthy and sweet New Year. There are various customs as to what foods we eat on Rosh Hashana.  But they all have one thing in common; the names of these foods or their taste represent sweetness and blessings.

For example, we express our wish that G-d grant us a sweet year, by dipping the challah (bread) in honey.  We also dip a sweet apple in honey on the first night of Rosh Hashana and recite the following: "May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year!"

Dipping the challah and apple in honey is not only a request, but also an expression of confidence that G-d will grant us a sweet year.

Many eat pomegranates to symbolize that our merits in the eyes of G-d should be as numerous as the seeds in the pomegranate and thus merit His blessings for the New Year.

There is a custom to have the head of a sheep or fish.  This symbolizes our request that we should always be a head - to go forward and not be left behind or go backwards.  The following prayer is recited in connection with this custom; "May it be Your will that we be a head and not a tail!"

As much as the holiday foods are important, the prayers are also very very important. This is why the holiday prayers are longer and more intense. Our prayers do count! This year is an unusual year, as many will not have a synagogue to go to. Whether attending synagogue or praying at home, we should concentrate this year even more on the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers. 

We should pray for a happy, healthy and prosperous year. We should pray for peace everywhere, especially for our brothers and sisters in Israel and the soldiers of the IDF. We shouldn’t know of sickness and health issues. We should pray for the coming of Moshiach.

A young poet came to the home of a well known literary critic and begged him to give an opinion on his new book of poems. After twenty minutes of listening to the young man recite his poorly written poetry the critic dosed off.

"Sir!" exclaimed the poet, when he realized that the critic was sound asleep. "How can you express an opinion on my poetry when you are asleep?"

"Believe it or not," answered the critic. "When I fell asleep I was definitely expressing an opinion!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA

B"H

Tuesday, Elul 12, 5780 / September 1, 2020

This Shabbat we will read Parshat Ki Tavo. The Parsha begins with the mitzvah of "Bikurim" - offering of the "first fruits". Each year, the first fruits of the "seven kinds" of foods with which the Land of Israel is praised for in the Torah, had to be brought to Jerusalem.

The Torah states: "And it shall be, that when you come to the land the L-rd your G-d will give you for an inheritance, and you will posses it and dwell in it.  You shall take of 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 of fruit was given to the Kohen (priest). 

The person bringing the basket of fruit would 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 into "this place and giving us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey." The Torah concludes the subject of Bikurim with, "And you shall rejoice in all the good which the L-rd your G-d has given you and to your household. You, the Levite and the stranger that is in your midst."

The mitzvah of Bikurim - bringing the first fruits to the Kohen, teaches us that before we ourselves enjoy the bounty and good which G-d gives us we must first give back to G-d what belongs to Him.  This is accomplished through the giving of Tzedakah and providing for the poor and needy. 

The mitzvah of Bikurim also teaches us to be happy and rejoice with whatever G-d has given us.  Only a person who believes and understands that whatever he or she has is a gift from G-d, will not be jealous of others and thus be truly satisfied and happy in life.

A wealthy man once came to visit his Rebbe.  The man didn't give much charity. In fact, he was so miserly that he wouldn't even spend money on himself. Every day, he would eat only bread and water.   

The Rebbe told the man, "I don't like the way you conduct yourself. From now on, I want you to spend money on yourself and eat three good meals a day.  Your meals should include fish, meat, wine, etc."

After the man left, the Chasidim asked the Rebbe, "Why did you instruct him to eat all that food?  Didn't you teach us that one should not indulge?"

"It is not about what he eats or doesn't eat that I am concerned," answered the Rebbe. "I was concerned for the poor. If he will eat fish, meat and delicacies, then he will at least give the poor some bread. But if he, the rich man, eats only bread and water, no wonder he doesn't give the needy. He probably thinks that the poor should eat rocks..!"

It is important to rejoice and thank G-d for everything He gives us and at the same time show our appreciation by being benevolent to others so that they may be happy too.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA

B"H

Wednesday, Elul 13, 5780 / September 2, 2020

Dear Torah Fax Friend,

We are less than three week from Rosh Hashana, 5781. At this time of the year we usually have our annual Torah Fax Rosh Hashana Campaign.

In addition to our educational programs which we have provided for many years, we also provide educational and Jewish recreational programs for seniors in our community, through our Sunshine Club for seniors. These programs are especially important for seniors during this difficult Covid-19 year.

We could not have done this without you!  We are grateful for your support and partnership of the past and looking forward to your help in the future.

At this time, as we are again launching our Annual Rosh Hashana - New Year's Fund-Raising Campaign, we appeal to you to please help Torah Fax. 

Please consider this a personal request to be a supporting partner in this mitzvah. 

Your support will help us continue and expand these worthwhile projects.  

To donate, please make your check payable to Torah Fax & mail to: Torah Fax - Box 373 Station Snowdon, Montreal, Que.  H3X 3T6 – Canada.

To donate via Credit card, please fill in the information below and e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

You can also donate via Pay Pal at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Contributions are tax deductible.

May G-d bless you and your loved ones with good health, prosperity and Nachas. May you and your loved ones be safe. May you all be inscribed in the Book of Life.  May the New Year bring Shalom-Peace to Israel and the entire world. May we merit the coming of Moshiach now!  L'shana Tova Umetukah – A happy, healthy and sweet New Year.

Rabbi Zalmen Marozov

To contribute by Credit Card: #

Exp.date:

Name:

Address: 

Amount: $

Phone #:   

Fax #:

e-mail: