Monday, Tishrei 8, 5779 / September 17, 2018
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
Friday, Tishrei 5, 5779 / September 14, 2018
B"H
Friday, Tishrei 5, 5779 / September 14, 2018
This Shabbat, which is between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, is called, Shabbat Shuva (as we read the Haftorah which begins with the word, “Shuva”). Some call it Shabbat Teshuva (as it is one of the Ten Days of Teshuva-Repentence). The Torah reading this Shabbat is Parshat Vayeilach. It is the smallest Parsha in the entire Torah, consisting of only 30 verses.
Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, begins Tuesday evening (Sept. 18) through Wednesday (Sept. 19).
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 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.
Q. The Hebrew date for Yom Kippur is the 10th 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 10th of Tishrei as the Day of forgiveness?
A. 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 10th 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 10th of Tishrei as the day of forgiveness for all generations.
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 first 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.
SHABBAT SHALOM& A GMAR CHATIMA TOVA
Montreal candle lighting time: 6:49 / Shabbat ends: 7:50
Thursday, Tishrei 4, 5778 / September 13, 2018
B"H
Thursday, Tishrei 4, 5778 / September 13, 2018
As we begin the new year, 5779, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Shana Tova - a wonderful, joyous, healthy, sweet and successful year.
May G-d answer all our prayers, for ourselves, our families, for Klal Yisrael and for the entire world. May G-d fulfill our prayers for a true and everlasting peace in Israel and the world. May G-d grant strength and protection to the men and women who serve in the IDF and to all who dedicate their lives to protect our Holy Land. May G-d bless them and watch over them. Amen.
There are ten days from the first day Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur. They are called, "Aseret Yemai Teshuva" - "Ten days of repentance." Our sages tell us that on Rosh Hashana the verdict for the New Year is written. However, it is not sealed until the end of Yom Kippur. Thus, even a harsh decree, G-d forbid, may still be nullified between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
In the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers we read that, "Teshuva (repentance), Tefilah (prayer) and Tzedakah (charity) annul a severe decree." Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, it is important that we perform more mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of Tzedakah, giving more charity. By helping others in their time of need, we too, will be granted our needs for the new year.
A parable worth repeating: A person who lived all his life in the big city decided one day to become a farmer. He bought a parcel of land and went to live on the farm. Knowing that his success depends on rain, he prayed fervently for rain. His prayers were answered and much rain descended on the fields. Now he was sure that his field would yield much fruits and vegetables. Yet, a while later, when he checked his field, to his dismay, he found only weeds. His disappointment became even greater when he saw that all his neighbors' fields were indeed filled with beautiful fruits and vegetables.
In despair, he approached one of his neighbors, "My field had the same amount of rain as yours. My field had the same sunshine as yours. My field is even the same size as yours, yet mine didn't yield any fruit while yours did. Can you explain to me what happened?"
"The answer is simple!" explained the neighbor. "G-d's blessings are effective when we do what is expected of us. I planted and fertilized my field, so now G-d's blessing of rain has brought forth wonderful fruits. You, however, didn't do anything in your field. All you did was pray, but you didn't do anything to cultivate G-d's blessings. How can you expect His blessings to bear fruit?”
The same is true with our prayers. On Rosh Hashana we ask G-d to grant us everything we need in the coming year, but that is not enough. We have to do our part. The Tzedakah and good deeds we perform are the seeds we sow in order for G-d's blessings to take effect.
Now, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is the most appropriate time to begin planting!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY& A GMAR CHATIMA TOVA
Monday, Elul 9, 5778 / August 20, 2018
B"H
Monday, Elul 9, 5778 / August 20, 2018
Rosh Hashana is three weeks from today. In the High Holiday prayers we recite, "Repentance, prayer and charity nullify a bad decree." The following was told by Rabbi Meir of Premishlan.
"I had a dream," said Rabbi Meir of Premishlan, "in which my soul ascended to heaven and came to Gan Eden (paradise) where I sat down near its gates. I saw a respectable Jew demanding to go in."
"Who are you? What merits do you have to deserve entry into Gan Eden?" the angel required. "I was a Rabbi. All my life I studied and taught Torah. I deserve to enter through these gates," he replied.
The angel wasn't impressed. "You will have to wait. We have to check if your studying Torah was truly for G-d's sake or was it for ulterior motives."
Then another distinguished looking Jew arrived at the gates of Gan Eden and wanted to enter. "Who are you? And why do you deserve entry to Gan Eden?" questioned the angel.
"My entire life I devoted to G-d. I spent my days in prayer and study of Torah. Sure I deserve entry into Gan Eden, for whom else was the Gan Eden created?" he replied.
"Not so fast," replied the angel. "Although you may have done everything you claim, we must be sure that it was done with purity and sincerity. You will have to wait until we check it out thoroughly."
As the angel is still arguing with this man, a simple looking Jew appears at the gates. "I would like to go into Gan Eden," he declared. "Who are you and what did you accomplish during your lifetime that makes you worthy to enter Gan Eden?" asks the angel.
"I was a very simple person and earned my living from an inn at the roadside. Whenever travelers came hungry and tired, I made sure to give them food and lodging. If a person was poor I charged him less or didn't charge him at all. I tried my best to accommodate my guests. But on second thought, perhaps I'm not worthy of entering Gan Eden, especially seeing these rabbis and scholars waiting."
"Come right in!" exclaimed the angel. Then the angel explained, "We have to check all the others to see whether their deeds were pure and sincere. However, helping people in need and giving them food and lodging does not need any checking. It doesn't matter why you did it, as long as the other person was helped!"
"Every other mitzvah," concluded Rabbi Meir of Premishlan, "requires purest and holiest of intentions to be done properly. With charity, however, the reason or motive doesn't matter, as long as the other person was helped!"
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
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