YOM KIPPUR

    We stand only a few days prior to the Holiest Day of the year, Yom Kippur, that brings us the key that unlocks the Homeland of our Soul.  It is on this day that our Supplications and Prayers release the latch and we enter into the Divine presence.  Here we stand, not only face to face with our creator, but, also, face to face with ourselves.  All masquerades fall away, as it is written;

"Thou  remember every deed, nought is hidden from Thee."

     We shall wave goodbye to the past and joyfully and with courage, turn to face the future.  Each year, we hope and pray that this coming year will bring peace, happiness, success and healing to a world crying for salvation and miracles.  However, hoping is not enough.  We must all come to realize that it depends on the initiative of each and everyone of us.

     A story is told of the Baal Shem Tov, leader of the Chassidic movement; The saintly Baal Shem stopped to watch, with wonder, an acrobat who was skillfully walking on a tight rope, stretched across a pond.  The disciples gently chided their master for wasting time on such a frivolous matter.  But the Baal Shem turned and said, " My children, I was contemplating, as I watched the tight rope walker, how thoroughly he had to train his feet before he could perform this difficult feat.  If men could train their souls as well as this man has trained his feet, what spiritual chasm they could cross in safety."

     May this Yom Kippur inspire everyone to a more spiritual life in the coming year, and may our lives always be defined by our loyalty and dedication to our Torah way of life.

   May this coming New Year bring life and happiness, prosperity, salvation and joy, to all our families and to כלל ישראל.

     כתיבה וחתימה טובה