Connectedness

“Be Kind, For Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Hard Battle”

These words written by Plato, are so meaningful for all of us at this time in our lives.

The more secluded we are, the greater is the realization how sorely we miss the interaction between our friends and relatives.

 

In fact, throughout history, when the unity of the Jewish People was fractured, the results were catastrophic. For when there is no appreciation of Kedushat Ha’adam,then Kedushat Hamakom is lost. 

 

This safe distancing makes us realize, more, the intrinsic holiness of man, which should be predicated in our respect for each other.  מגן אברהם in או״ח, reflects

קודם תפילת שחרית יקבל עליו מצות עשה של ואהבת לרעך כמוך, We are to preface our morning prayers with a statement of our willingness to accept upon ourselves the commandment to love our fellowman.

 

Our absence from each other strikes a very definitive cord in how much we miss this daily and hourly human intercourse that, too often, we take for granted. 

 

That which we don’t have is missed more than the appreciation for that which we do have.

 

It is interesting that the Hebrew word for love, אהבה, has the same numerical value for the word אחד, both adding up to the number 13 - suggesting that if we want to achieve our oneness as a nation, then we need to express our love for one another, especially in these trying times, with a greater sense of Chesed and concern. I realize that with so many fatalities and sickness, in our respective communities,   our outlook to life is very myopic and I can readily understand our reasoning but, as loving people, we must begin to think more away from ourimmediate domicile and more to our outside world, especially to our glorious מדינת ישראל.  As we commemorate two very important days in the Jewish Calendar, Yom Hazikoron and Yom HaAzmaut  we understand, more, what it means to be  Jewish, bestowing upon us a pride that gives credence to our existence and to our identity.

 

We must never forget how it was for Jewsbefore we were Blessed with a Jewish State, and always remember the Pasuk הן עם לבדד ישכן ובגוים לא יתחשב “

“A people that dwells apart and will not receive consideration among the nations.”  That was real isolation and quarantine by the world expressing great animosity and hatred, totally restricting the Jew from all mankind. However, with this restricted living, the glory and the greatness of the Jewish People came through. These were years of incubation, bringing about tremendous growth in all facets of statehood, and especially strengthening our moral and intellectual capacity. 

 

Beyond our military strength and courage, our Jewish brethren refined their relationship with G-D.

 

After two thousand years we, once again, became courageous heroes, hearing the words of Moshe, התיצבו וראו את ישועת הי 

“Do not fear, stand fast and you will experience the salvation of G-D.”

That was the rallying call for the Jewish People in 1948, and it still is our call of assurance in our day and age, as well.

 

It was in the courage of solitude past that our Prophets heard their call, and it is in this worrisome time that the call comes to all as it did in the past illuminating  our lives today.

 

I am reminded of the words of Churchillwhen he faced, with courage, a great storm of possible devastation; 

“When I look back on the perils that have been overcome, upon the great mountain waves in which the gallant ship has driven, when I remember all that has gone wrong and remember also, all that has gone right, I feel sure we have no need to fear the tempest. Let it roar and let it rage. We shall come through.”

 

The Parsha this week is Kedoshim, Holy as Rashi comments, פרושים, Separate.  For, in this process we will achieve a greater sense of Holiness, binding us in greater proximity to Hashem and to all mankind. 

 

Permit to share the following story that exudes feelings of optimism in these trying times;

 

There was once a king who owned an enormous and very beautiful diamond. Every day, the king took the diamond from its jewel-encrusted box and looked with awe as the gem transformed sunlight into magnificent, shimmering kaleidoscopes of color. It made him very happy.

One day, the king accidentally dropped the diamond. It grazed the side of its box, and then fell heavily to the floor of the throne room. Picking it up, the king found a long, jagged scratch down one side of the stone. Horrified, he immediately called upon his royal jewelers to repair the gem, but they were unable to do so. The king then called upon other jewelers from other lands near and far, but none were able repair the diamond as the king wanted.

Finally, a pauper appeared at the palace and said that he could repair the king’s jewel. The king and his advisers were wary at first, but then, realizing they had nothing to lose; they invited the pauper to proceed. 

The pauper retreated into a cell, and after working for an entire week, he emerged and handed the king his diamond box. Sitting upon, his throne, the king opened the box, smiled with delight and held up the jewel for all to see.

The pauper had not removed the jagged line at all. Instead, he had etched an image of a rose onto one end of it, leaving the scratch as the stem of the beautiful flower. 

Some wounds won’t go away, but if we handle them correctly, we can make the wound even more beautiful than before.

Let us live with optimism to see the end of this dark tunnel, and hope that we will see our rose of life once again rather than its thorns.

  Let us continue to pray for our Yeshuah and for a Refuah for everyone. 

 

 שבת שלום ומבורך

 

                                                                                                       יום העצמאות שמח        ולתפארת מדינת ישראל                            

        

                                                                                                                                                                                            Please share your thoughts with me                     

What are we doing

These past few weeks have radically changed my entire outlook to the meaning of life and I am sure many of you look at life differently ‘today’ than ‘yesterday.’

There is no doubt that health is our first priority and much too often we take it for granted and only when we are faced with health challenges that we begin to contemplate what is at stake concerning our future. 

 

More so, the world is starting to seriously realize that our actions affect others. There is a story about a person sitting on the deck of a boat. He reaches into a toolbox, pulls out a drill and proceeds to bore a hole in the hull. Suddenly, the people sitting around him begin to shout, “Stop! What are you doing?” “I’m drilling a hole under my seat. I can do what I want. Why is it any of your business?” he answers.  “Are you kidding? We are all together on this boat! You may be making a hole under your own seat, but we are all going to sink.” 

 

With this pandemic, we are starting to realize that our personal choices have ripple effects, with consequences, not only for ourselves and for those closest to us, but also for future generations. 

 

As I write these notes searching for a greater understanding, I am reminded of a story, which brings more clarity to so many of my contemplations of this modern day crisis. 

 

Rabbi Yisrael Lau, former chief Rabbi of Israel, relates the following; He came to visit the Lubavicher Rebbe. In the middle of their conversation, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Lau, "What are Jews saying these days in Israel." He was concerned because it was right after the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Rabbi Lau replied that Jews are asking each other, 

"Vos vet zein?” "What will be?”  

The Rebbe grasped Rabbi Lau׳s arm and vehemently said:"Yidden fregen nit vos vet zein; zen fregen, vos geit men ton?" “Jews do not ask what will be, they ask, what are we going to do?” 

   "What will be? Is the question of a victim. What we are going to do? Is a proactive question."

 

 “What will be seems to suggest that there is nothing we can do to change the situation. In truth there is always something very powerful that we can do and towards this positive attitude we proceed to act and find out What are we going to do?”  

 

 

 

Our decision to be involved and to try to find solutions to the many problems we all face is to realign our lives with greater spirituality and more introspection into our value system. 

 

Then, with a bolt of Spiritual Lightning it occurred to me that this week we will celebrate the Semi Holiday of Pesach Shenei, as recorded in Parshat Behalotecha.  The Torah relates of the extraordinary petition of a group of Jewstraveling through the desert, who were excluded from the Mitzvah of Korban Pesach due to their ritual impurity, which they received while doing an act of Chesed. They asked Moshe to affordthem the opportunity to participate in this Mitzvah of Korban Pesach, to make up for missing it the first time. In fact, as you listen to their voices as they complained, you will realize their sincerity, 

למה נגרע לבלתי הקריב את קרבן הי במועדו בתוך בני ישראל

“We are Tameh, why should we be diminished by not offering Hashem’s offering in its appointed time among the children of Israel?”The words that stand out are  למה נגרעWhy should we be penalized and not be permitted to bring a Korban Pesach?” Actually begging Moshe, “Please give us another opportunity to do this great Mitzvah.” 

 

It is important to realize that this Mitzvah of Korban Pesach is special for one of its requirements is that it should be brought within a Chaburah, to be shared with a group,emphasizing the importance of the K’lal,showing compelling indications that Pesachreflects the communal covenant between Hashem and K’lal Yisrael. For this reason we can understand the urgency for the request of a second chance at bringing this Korban. For No Jew and for that matter, no person wants to ever be excluded from others. 

 

Here we see a most fascinating idea that is an integral part of our Judaic way of life, a life that is always extending to us a second chance in every facet of  Judaism, affording everyone a second opportunity to make things right and to find our way back to, once again, be, עומד לפני הי, of standing before G-D.

 

We are, always, to be thankful for our second opportunities in life, to always live lives that are inclusive, to have the ability to express our strong identification as members of בני ישראל, and to  join in with the Tzibur, with the entire congregation of Yisrael, even when it seems that circumstances prevent us from our intimate spiritual relationships.

 

According to the Sifrei, the instituting of Pesach Shenei, was intended to enable an additional opportunity to participate, effectively, and to convey the most meaningful message for all generations, “There exists an unbreakable bond of a dynamic Brit between Hashem and K’lal Yisrael.”

 

In fact, the Belzer Rebbe, speaks about Hillel’ssource for eating the Korban Pesach in a sandwich at the Seder. It is not from the Parsha of Korban Pesach, but rather from the Parsha of Pesach Shenei and he expounds, that the reason that it is taken from this Parsha, is really aPrayer, a powerful T’filah that the Moshiachshould soon come by this Pesach Shenei. 

 

This message rings out to us today more than ever. With all our T’zarot, we invoke Hashem to give us a second chance to make things better and this pandemic should come to a close, with invoking the words of the Rebbe, that this Pesach Shenei, will herald the coming of the Moshiach, and that our individual lives and the world at large will return, once again, to a life of normalcy. 

 

It is interesting to note, that when the Holidaysare mentioned an important Mitzvah is enunciated, ושמחת בחגיך , “You shall rejoice in your festivals.” A wonderful directive: Be Happy, Rejoice. However, the question that we often pose is, “What does rejoicing and being happy really mean?” We realize that this quest is more problematic in these difficult times. 

 

Real Simcha, Happiness, is not achieved by escaping from our society and our responsibilities, but rather it is an act that elevates our souls realizing that we are standing  before G-D, as our Parsha states  ושמחתם לפני ה .

Even when trouble abounds us, we feel more confident that we will overcome these difficulties as long as we feel we have the companionship of Hashem, giving us the support that we sorely need. 

 

 

Even though we may not need to eat Matzoh and Marror, at this Pesach Shenei Seder, let us recite in unison this T’fillah,  

לפיכך אנחנו חיבים להודות להלל לשבח לפאר.

 

For these are times to express our great confidence in our אבינו מלכנו  and pray that we  shall succeed in weathering the frightening storm that engulfs our world  and with our expression of optimism we will stand before Hashem our Healer, with great Simcha.

שבת שלום ורפואה קרובה לבא

FAITH LIFT

   I find that today’s society focuses on improving appearances and many speak of “Face Lifts” to enhance the way they look. It is important to focus on one’s self image and I feel that in our day and age we all are in need of a “Faith Lift.”

This reminds me of the story of the little child who was suddenly awakened out of a deep sleep. The child began to cry and was very distressed and the mother asked, “What is the matter?” The child replied,”Oh, I lost my place in my dream”.

I wonder, “Have we, as the עם הנבחר, lost our place in our dream of perfecting a people who are to live in the “Image of G-D,” and a people who were destined to be the אור לגויים.?”

Then our dream started to blossom with Avraham appearing on the Jewish historical scene, as he is instructed by Hashem;

לך לך מארצך וממולדתך ומבית אביך, 

G-D instructs Avraham to leave his birth place and his parents home and to travel to a land that Hashem will designate and there he will become a great nation. One wonders, “Was it necessary for Avraham to leave his home to accomplish the will of G-D?” It seems that Hashem’s plan was to extricate Avraham from his environment and all the places where his life influences are constantly having a direct affect on his way of life and especially on his spiritual outlook. This change was necessary to fulfill the will of G-D, but even more so to mold and perfect a Nation of morality, ethics, beneficence and obedience to Hashem. Avraham recognized, that for him to succeed as the messenger of G-D, he must remove himself, completely, from all previous influences.

The Torah emphasized this idea with a reasonable and a necessary explanation, and for which it is an important lesson for our modern day. As the sentence states,

למען אשר יצוה את בניו ואת ביתו אחריו ושמרו דרך הי

“For he commands his children and his household after him , that they should keep the way of Hashem to perform righteousness and justice.”

This is the mission that is planned for Avraham and for his progenitors after him .

  Where do we start? Avraham provides us with the answer that will secure the future for the Jewish People and his life as our Patriarch. Abraham’s life begins at his home, with his gracious acts of hospitality, that will inspire us that Judaism is first and foremost a religion of the home , and from the home it spreads its wings of influence into the world.

  For Avraham to succeed in this endeavor he beseeches the Almighty to bless him with a son to carry on his mission to spread the word of G-D to the world.

We need to remember that Avraham taught us that a person is not only what he believes in, but more so in how he lives and teaches others. This is the essence of Judaism. We are not only to be people of ideals but we must be people of action, for only then will we see the growth of Judaism in the most productive way.

The beauty of Avraham’s life is that he answered the call of Hashem unquestionably, and similarly we are to respond to the call of G-D.

The best way to follow this ideal is the story told by Gershon Sholem. When the Baal Shem Tov had a difficult task before him, he would go to a certain place in the woods, light a fire and meditate in prayer and what he had set out to perform was done.

When a generation later the Maggid of Mesretz was faced with the same task he would go to the  same place in the woods and say we can no longer light the fire, but we can still speak the prayers and what he wanted done, became a reality.

Again, a generation later, Rabbi Moshe Leb of Sassoon, had to perform this task. He went into the woods and said, “We can no longer light the fire, nor do we know how to recite the meditation belonging to the prayer, but we do know the place in the woods to which it all belongs and that must be sufficient and it was.”

But when another generation had passed and Rabbi Israel of Rishon, was called again to perform the task, he sat down in his golden chair in his home and said, “We cannot light the fire, we cannot speak the prayer, we do not know even the place, but we can tell the story of how it was done , and the story teller adds, the story which he told had the same effect as the actions of the other three.”

This is our Torah, telling the stories of inspiration, but to do so we need to provide our society with the proper and capable story tellers and teachers that will inspire and bring our generation to act in the most Judaic way that will lead us on the path of living an invigorated Torah way of life. 

עץ חיים היא למחזיקים בה

It is our tree of life to sustain us for everlasting time as we go forward, holding onto the “Coat Tales” of our Patriarch Avraham.

          

Challenges of life

Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

                                                                                 There is no challenge more challenging, than the challenge to improve oneself.

When we least expect it, life sends us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.

All these thoughts come to mind as we read of the greatest test and challenge presented to Avraham by Hashem, when he was instructed to take Yitzchak and bring him as a offering at the Akedah.

This entire episode, as recorded this week’s Sedrah of Vayerah, is very perplexing and brings with it enormous questions as to its propriety and the quality of conforming to G-Dly accepted standards of behavior and morality.

With this quandary, comes to mind the following thought, “Life is full ofchallenges, but these challenges are only given to one whom G-D knows his faith is strong enough to get him through them.”

Avraham prepares himself to meet the challenge for the Akedah, and inspires Yitzchak to a greater sense of faith, and both continue to walk hand in hand towards Har Hamoriah , proving to the world their faith and trust in the Almighty.

Everyone, eventually, faces challenges in life and it is a matter how we learn how to overcome them and use them to our advantage.

Let us remember well, that the biggest challenge of life is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.

 This is the greatest problem that faced Avraham. He realized that his directive in life is to fulfill the word of G-D that will lead him to reach his potential of spiritual greatness, and thereby becoming our Patriarch from whom we are destined to learn the ways of Hashem, bringing fulfillment as the עם הנבחר.

As we speak of challenges and tests, we realize that Hashem who is יודע הכל does not require a test in order to clarify what the intention of Avraham was through this entire episode, but rather it was to make Avrahamsearch within himself and to conclude that he had the capacity and the wherewithal to be the leader and the father of the Jewish People. Hashem saw the immense attribute of humility and modesty that Avrahampossessed and only through some extreme measures would he come to know that he possessed great Emunah and Betachon,enabling him to achieve the goals of being an אב המון גויים and the ultimate Patriarch of עם ישראל.

Rav Soloveitchik tz”l, reflected on the Medrash that describes the world bewailing the death of Avraham, “ Woe to the world that has lost its leader and woe to the ship that lost its navigator”.

One wonders, “What was gained by adding the idea that Avraham was the navigator of the world, to the fact that he was leader of the world?”

The Rav explained,  “While Avraham was truly the leader of the Tzibur, of the populace, he never lost sight of the individual. Abraham was the leader and the navigator of his society and always worried about the individual.”  We saw this many times, as he worried about Lot and went to rescue him after he was captured. Even though Lot rejected Hashem, Avraham went to battle for him. 

Avraham was a man who lived up to his responsibility as a true man of Chesed. He faced a severe challenge and faced it with great alacrity and showed the world what responsibility means to all of humanity.

The lesson is a poignant one. Avraham recognized that G-D was a source of strength at a time of great stress, and a source of comfort when he was in pain. He recognized that Hashem was an important part of his life and that he needed G-D at all times, and that Hashem would be there for him always. With this in mind, we acceptAvraham as our emulator, learning how to accept challenges in life, in a very positive way. 

Too often we try to avoid challenges by asking the question,”Why Me?”, instead of asking, “How?” “How can I deal with this crisis; How to assuage the anguish that comes with many of our challenges?” With the How, we then take on the responsibility of finding solutions to these tests and challenges of life, like Avraham did at the Akedah.

The Baal Shem Tov said it well, “Wherever a person’s mind is, that is where they are entirely.” Our pure minds will lead us to the true דרך הי, which will lead us to our modern day הר המוריה, ushering a time of peace to all our challenges, reliving the life of Blessing that graced the life of Abraham.

Avraham is our most glorified Patriarch and will always be known to all as our מגןאברהם, for he is our Father who brought the presence of Hashem into our lives, and for that we will always glorify his being.

                          SHABBAT SHALOM

       http://rabbimehlmansthoughts.blogspot.com

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EMBRACE OUR BLESSINGS

 

  As I stepped into the Sukkah, on the third day of Sukkot, I recited the Ushpezin of the day and with overflowing hearts our family welcomed the Patriarch Yaakov- our Patriarch who represents Emet and Galut. In many ways we can identify, greatly, with Yaakov, for many of our trials and tribulations are due to our Galut, very similarly, to the tribulations that Yaakovexperienced.

  Therefore, my search for greater meaning to the Yom Tov of Sukkot will give us the Chizuk to weather the storms of Galut and to forge ahead more enthused and more spiritually enhanced.

  As we enter our Deras Arai, our home away from home, to the outdoors of an alienated society, we experience, very similarly, Yaakov’sepisode of the night under the stars when he had the vision of the ladder stretching from earth to the sky, and the angels assuring him that he will be protected by Hashem. It is the same protection that I felt as I walked into the Sukkahwelcoming our Patriach of Truth assuring all of us that, in spite, of the fact that we are experiencing our night of Galut we are assured that our Torah oriented way of life will prosper and live on.  

    Permit me to share, at this time, the following words of inspiration

 

"Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses”

“Focus on your character, not your reputation”

“Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes”

“At all times embrace your blessings, and make every today worth remembering.”

These words are so important to assure life is worth living and gives life a meaningful direction that will bring honor to mankind and honor to G-D.

   

   Rashi explains that we are, indeed, blessed with the words of Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, on Yom Tov, as was recited byAharon,וישא אהרון את ידיו אל העם ויברכם,"And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them".  The Birkat Kohanim has a very special meaning for the Jewish People, as a Nation. It is a blessing that is to be absolute and unconditional. As we study the Hebrew words of the Bracha, we notice that even though the blessing is for the entire nation, the words are in the singular form. This expresses an amazing idea in Judaism. Though we are a nation of many, we must see ourselves as one integrated whole, as "One Persona". 

  Achieving this unity we can be confident that the last part of the Bracha וישם לך שלום, the blessing of Hashem for our nation with peace, will be forthcoming.               

 Peace can only prosper if we see our Nation as one integrated whole, with brotherly love extended to each other, leading us on the path of becoming a true עם אחד, under the rubric of our strong belief of הי אחד ושמו אחד. 

   With this אחדות, we can face any adversary that may step in the path of our Nation’s success, and thereby assuring a brighter future for our Jewish Nation. 

   This is our message for our people's survival. Our future is a glorious one if we continue to have love in our hearts and compassion in our deeds. 

    These attributes are to be transmitted to our children and grandchildren, as the Torah states;

 " והודעתם לבניך ולבני בניך" "Teach and make known the ways of our Torah to your children and to your grandchildren." This is, truly, one of the most important Mitzvot of the Torah, a Mitzvah of והודעתם, of transmitting our Ways of Torah to the next generation. Our survival depends on the success and the strength of our Mesorah's influence on our next generation. This was Yaakov’s legacy to his children, and to K’lall Yisrael.  His name was changed from Yaakov to Yisrael, to assure our survival and our continued Blessing in our Galut. As we step in to the Sukkah of our Galut, let us welcome our Yisrael- Yaakov  to our temporary home with benevolence, friendship and love.

    Let us continue to emulate G-D's ways of 

אהבת עולם ואהבה רבה, to each other and in doing so, we will herald the time of the coming of our Mashiach in our time. With this in mind, we will then turn our Sukkah into our true Mikdash Me’at, when the S’hchenah will bring the Ananei Hakovad to rest upon all our homes.

 

SHABBAT SHALOM 

AND 

CHAG SAMEACH

ROSH HASHANA

   During these days before Rosh Hashana,the constant refrain is "Change", or, better yet, it is time to do "Teshuvah". This concept is a meritorious one, but the fulfillment of being able to Change, for many, is not an easy task. In fact, in today's society I find that many are just not able to grasp the idea of improving themselves through Change and surely find great difficulty to begin the process of Teshuvah.

   For many, actions seem to be in total opposition to this idea of wanting to Changecertain aspects of one's behavior.  I asked a student why he wasn't applying himself more studiously to his school work, and his reply was simply, "Rabbi, Whatever.”  When I inquire of an adult regarding their actions and/or their situation in life, very often the reply is, "It is what it is". 

  Are these life's answers for everything, 'Whatever and It is what it is?' I hope not!

  These phrases are so negative and can be so damaging to our growth, our betterment, our Change and surely for our Teshuvah. 

   I once read that these answers can be referred to as " Tautophrasal Evasion",defined as, "I am not spending anymore effort on this matter, and nothing is going to change, so just get used to it." 

   I can just imagine this attitude when we go to a Doctor and we ask him, "What can we do about the situation?" and he responds, "Well, it is what it is". 

   These two responses, 'Whatever and It is what it is,' are the most devastating expressions in our human lexicon.  They make life so helpless and even hopeless. That is not what Judaism prescribes for life, especially during this period of beseeching the Almighty for a new year of health and prosperity. 

   Surely, we can say "Que sera, sera-Whatever will be, will be.” However, in doing so, we are taking our G-D given qualities and options to better ourselves, taking them out of our hands and thrusting them to the wind. This is not an option and I, personally, refuse to act this way. 

   As we prepare for Rosh Hashana, let us work to replace the "It is what it is" with "It will become what it ought to be". This is the true idea and directive to achieve the ultimate act of Teshuvah. 

    This is extremely true as we embark on a more observant road in our Judaic way of life and in the way we act to one another. Yes, we need to remove the oft time quoted words, "It is better than nothing", for that is just as bad as "It is what it is and whatever." 

  Now is the time to take responsibility for our actions. Now is the time that certain attitudes need to be changed. Now is the time for Teshuvah,  that will make our lives more meaningful and make us more responsible. 

     With these thoughts in mind, we can better understand the opening words of this week’s Torah reading.' You are standing, all of you, before Hashem", and then the Torahgoes on to enumerate everyone, from the leaders, to every member of the Jewish people. This is done to emphasize a most important idea in Yahadut, that when we stand before G-D , we are abe to see ourselves as equal, and not  to look upon one another  as more superior, for Hashem’s love of Am Yisrael, is one of inclusivity, and never exclusivity.

    It is with this feeling of togetherness, and brotherly love that we present ourselves to Hashem on Rosh Hashana, a time of V’tain Kavod L’amecha,  Bestowing honor on the Jewish People , as a unified and a United Jewish Nation. These are times that we must change our venue and begin to realize we are all together in the same boat of life and if we act inappropriately, to cause a hole to emerge in our Judaic Boat, it will only result in our failure.

 The beauty of life is to know we have G-Dgiven capabilities. Let us begin to use them as we approach this new year of 5780. Let it be a year of change and a year of improvement that will lead us to a year of Bracha and Yeshuah. 

      Wishing all my blog friends a year of  שנת חיים וטובים. 

 

            

  

         

 

WHAT DEFINES US

 

 
" WHAT DEFINES US ?"

                                                                                                                                                      

הי מלך הי מלך הי ימלוך לעולם ועד                                                                   Before I begin let me make note that we recite   

This is not depicting the game of thrones for our Melech is מלכי המלכים and there is no game of thrones with our מלך. 

      Now that I got your attention permit me to continue with my thoughts:

 When I was in the Rav’s shiur he reiterated the importance of  נעילה. In essence, He said that  נעילה encapsulates all of the previous T'filos. In fact,  one cannot daven  נעילה  if he missed any of the other T'filos because עצומו של יום depends on the T'fila of  נעילה and it is only when we recite נעילה does our atonement  takes place. This may be logical in thought ,but in my opinion it all depends how we approach  נעילה that will verify and bring about the true atonement. The question we need to answer is, "What attitude is required to achieve this Kapara? I will answer as a Jew always does with a question. 

If I were asked, and it is rhetorical, "What word would I choose from the entire Torah that can enunciate our faith and our true essence? I would select the word that Hashem uses to Adam after he sinned in the garden of Eden - that word is  איכה- where are you? 

I am sure you understand that our infinite G-d knows where we are. The question is not pertaining to the geographical or physical location of Adam for G-d knew exactly where he was, but rather He wanted Adam to know who he was and what his essence was and how he saw himself in the scheme of things.  Remember the answer that Adam gave to Hashem when he asked him what he did and why he went against the word of G-D? He replied, "I am not responsible for what took place" and he went on to blame חוה and she in turn, blamed the snake and even the snake blamed G-D Himself, for it was G-D who brought חוה to him. 

This is my question to all of us - "Where are we after these days of repentance, as we prepare for the Holiest Day of the year? Where is our איכה, where do we stand at this most crucial hour seeking G-D'sassurance for a year of Blessing  and Life. It is interesting to note that at the beginning of the שמונה עשרה, we say ,

זכרנו לחיים מלך חפץ בחיים

And at the end of the Amida we say                                                             

  וכתבנו בספר חיים טובים   

                             Why at this juncture of the Amida, do we use the word                טובים                             ?                                                                                                                                                                 

   My answer is, "At the beginning of ourT'filos we have no specifics of what will make our lives truly good.  It only after we mention all the Brachot, דעת, סליחה,רפאנו, that we begin to realize our goodness. Therefore, only, after the Amidah, do we realize what a good life is all about, and that we are truly Blessed."

 

As a student of the Rav, I am inclined to see man as a dialectical being. Let me clarify, what I mean by dialectical, as it reflects man in two mutually exclusive ways.  

In the first place, man is an important being, for he was created with great intellectual and spiritual capabilities, as Tehilimsays,ותחסרהו מעט מאלוקים. We were created slightly less than Angels. We embody a divine element that allows man to be in proximity to Hashem, we are then עומד לפני הי. And on the other hand, Judaismsees man weak and at times helpless. On Yom Kippur we merit to have a glorious rendezvous with G-D, as a reward for spending an entire day in prayer in imitating an angelic being and beseeching Hashem, humbly, to bestow His Blessings upon us. We, then, feel confident that we are standing  לפני הי- resulting in being acclaimed by Hashem  תטהרו - we are inscribed in the Book of Life.

          With this feeling of being close toHashem, we begin to glow with the aura of being a blessed child of G-D, imbued with greater spirituality, and confidence in a life of Bracha, Mazal and Nachas , walking into the future with this Bracha on our lips.

בספר חיים ברכה ושלום, ופרנסה טובה, נזכר ונכתב ונחתם לפניך,אנחנו וכל עמך בית ישראל, לחיים טובים ולשלום