The term that is bantered around quite excessively is "Modern Society". The question that needs to be answered is, "What is the true definition of 'Modern Society' and how does it affect our daily living?"
I once suggested that our ‘Modern Society’ is like the subway, "It throws people together in physical proximity without uniting them in spiritual sympathy."
The aim of Judaism is very different. In Judaism, our goal is to unite in 'Spiritual Sympathy.'
In fact, our Torah repeatedly states, that, as Jews, we are always involved with one another. In our involvement, we need to be cognizant and concerned for each other.
Dante wrote "The hottest place in purgatory is reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality ".
I saw a bumper sticker without any words. Yes! No Words! It was totally blank. It was meant for those who don't want to get involved.
On the contrary, in Judaism we must get involved or else dire circumstances will, G-D forbid, destroy us.
I had the distinguish honor of being asked to speak at the 7th and 8th grade boys minyan at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, this past Wednesday, in honor of my grandson, Jonah Mehlman's, donning T'fillin , for the first time. It was, truly, a time of much nachas for the family. Realizing that I was speaking to impressionable minds, my theme was "preparation". I quoted the very popular statement of the Rav, our Rebbe, אין קדושה בלי הכנה, that to achieve the ultimate state of Holiness we need preparation. I mentioned that the reason we say Selichos, every day before Rosh Hashana, is to prepare ourselves, spiritually, to enter the ימים נוראים in the proper frame of mind and with due diligence. "More so, I added, the education that you are receiving in this outstanding Yeshiva, is to prepare you, adequately, both in your secular studies and especially in Yahadut and Torah learning. It is a tremendous Hachana for a successful and Holy Future. Be proud of your studies and be proud of who you are, a ממלכת כוהנים וגוי קדוש. “
To achieve this goal we need to perfect ourselves, בין אדם למקום ובין אדם לחברו.
This message is not only to our youngsters and but to everyone, no matter what age, young or old.
Now we can begin to understand more clearly, the opening words of this week's Torah reading Netzavim.
"אתם נצבים היום כולכם לפני ה׳, Today we all stand before G-D."
What a great responsibility we have as we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We are all, as a people, no matter who we are, have the great opportunity to stand before G-D. How awesome this is? To do so in the proper frame of mind we need to take these days for הכנה, to prepare ourselves properly to meet our Father in Heaven, and beseech His Blessings on all our beloved ones.
Many people suggest that the month of אלול, stand for the words, אני לדודי ודודי לי, I am my beloved and my beloved is mine, referring to our relationship to G-D, and this is true, but may I suggest another thought on the word אלול,
"אני לך ואתה לי, I am for you Hashem, and hopefully Youare to be for me." We are partners with Hashem, and when we remain loyal partners with G-D, He becomes a vibrant partner in our lives, as well. Then, and only then I am “His Beloved and He is My Beloved.”
This is the most sacred time in our calendar, and if I were to choose one word that encapsulates this dynamic time, it would be - הנני, "Here I Am", ready and, hopefully, able to serve the will of G-D, and to bring better results to our relationship , בין אדם לחברו.
May all our T'fillot be answered and may Hashem grant us all a, שנת חיים וטובים, with the Z'chut of welcoming the ביאת גואל צדק במהרה בימינו.
I once suggested that our ‘Modern Society’ is like the subway, "It throws people together in physical proximity without uniting them in spiritual sympathy."
The aim of Judaism is very different. In Judaism, our goal is to unite in 'Spiritual Sympathy.'
In fact, our Torah repeatedly states, that, as Jews, we are always involved with one another. In our involvement, we need to be cognizant and concerned for each other.
Dante wrote "The hottest place in purgatory is reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality ".
I saw a bumper sticker without any words. Yes! No Words! It was totally blank. It was meant for those who don't want to get involved.
On the contrary, in Judaism we must get involved or else dire circumstances will, G-D forbid, destroy us.
I had the distinguish honor of being asked to speak at the 7th and 8th grade boys minyan at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, this past Wednesday, in honor of my grandson, Jonah Mehlman's, donning T'fillin , for the first time. It was, truly, a time of much nachas for the family. Realizing that I was speaking to impressionable minds, my theme was "preparation". I quoted the very popular statement of the Rav, our Rebbe, אין קדושה בלי הכנה, that to achieve the ultimate state of Holiness we need preparation. I mentioned that the reason we say Selichos, every day before Rosh Hashana, is to prepare ourselves, spiritually, to enter the ימים נוראים in the proper frame of mind and with due diligence. "More so, I added, the education that you are receiving in this outstanding Yeshiva, is to prepare you, adequately, both in your secular studies and especially in Yahadut and Torah learning. It is a tremendous Hachana for a successful and Holy Future. Be proud of your studies and be proud of who you are, a ממלכת כוהנים וגוי קדוש. “
To achieve this goal we need to perfect ourselves, בין אדם למקום ובין אדם לחברו.
This message is not only to our youngsters and but to everyone, no matter what age, young or old.
Now we can begin to understand more clearly, the opening words of this week's Torah reading Netzavim.
"אתם נצבים היום כולכם לפני ה׳, Today we all stand before G-D."
What a great responsibility we have as we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We are all, as a people, no matter who we are, have the great opportunity to stand before G-D. How awesome this is? To do so in the proper frame of mind we need to take these days for הכנה, to prepare ourselves properly to meet our Father in Heaven, and beseech His Blessings on all our beloved ones.
Many people suggest that the month of אלול, stand for the words, אני לדודי ודודי לי, I am my beloved and my beloved is mine, referring to our relationship to G-D, and this is true, but may I suggest another thought on the word אלול,
"אני לך ואתה לי, I am for you Hashem, and hopefully Youare to be for me." We are partners with Hashem, and when we remain loyal partners with G-D, He becomes a vibrant partner in our lives, as well. Then, and only then I am “His Beloved and He is My Beloved.”
This is the most sacred time in our calendar, and if I were to choose one word that encapsulates this dynamic time, it would be - הנני, "Here I Am", ready and, hopefully, able to serve the will of G-D, and to bring better results to our relationship , בין אדם לחברו.
May all our T'fillot be answered and may Hashem grant us all a, שנת חיים וטובים, with the Z'chut of welcoming the ביאת גואל צדק במהרה בימינו.
As in the circle of life we are blessed with S’machotand Happiness and Joy and we want to share with you a Mazal Tov to our children Miriam and Avraham on the birth of a granddaughter to their children Deena and Lipa.Much Mazal and Nachas and Bracha.
I will be in ארצינו הקדושה for my grandson's Bar Mitzvah , and I will resume writing my blog after the Holidays. I hope you have enjoyed reading my Divrey Torah and Hashkafah and that you will continue to do so in the future בע״ה.
שבת שלום ומבורך ושנה טובה
I am dedicating my Blog, this week, in memory of my Beloved Father and Teacher,ירוחם בן משה וחנה ע״ה whose yahrzeit was this past Tuesday. May he be a
מליץ יושר for כלל ישראל.
מליץ יושר for כלל ישראל.
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