6 min read
GOOD MORNING! Rosh Hashana begins this Monday evening, September 17. I have been trying to think of what would help make this Rosh Hashana more meaningful, more enjoyable for you. I am well aware that Services are not always inspirational, uplifting, moving. There is even a song called "I've Got the Stand-up, Sit-down Prayerbook Blues." Perhaps the following two pieces from the Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Survival Kit (available in Jewish bookstores -- or call toll-free 877-758-3242 -- take it with you to temple or synagogue) will help to make the services as personally uplifting as possible.
Q & A: HOW TO SURVIVE SYNAGOGUE -- OR HOW DO I MAKE MY SYNAGOGUE EXPERIENCE MORE MEANINGFUL?
SOME QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT IN SYNAGOGUE OR DISCUSS AT YOUR ROSH HASHANA Meals
Torah
Portion of the Week
Nitzavim
On the day of Moshe's death he assembles the whole Jewish people and creates a Covenant confirming the Jewish people as the Almighty's Chosen People for all future generations. Moshe makes clear the consequences of rejecting God and His Torah as well as the possibility of repentance. He reiterates that Torah is readily available to everyone.
Netzavim concludes with perhaps the clearest and most powerful statement in the Torah about the purpose of life and the existence of freewill: "I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil ... the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life that you may live, you and your descendants." (Now that's a real Quote of the Week!)
A Final Thought ...
An elderly sage named Reb Zusia lay on his deathbed surrounded by his students and disciples. He was crying and no one could comfort him. One student asked his Rebbe, "Why do you cry? You were almost as wise as Moses and as kind as Abraham."
Reb Zusia answered, "When I pass from this world and appear before the Heavenly Tribunal, they won't ask me, 'Zusia, why weren't you as wise as Moses or as kind as Abraham,' rather, they will ask me, 'Zusia, why weren't you Zusia?' Why didn't I fulfill my potential, why didn't I follow the path that could have been mine."
On Rosh Hashanah we confront our potential as human beings, but even more so, as Jews. Let each of us use the opportunity to reevaluate our lives, our potentials, and our commitment to our God, our Torah, our People and ourselves!
CANDLE LIGHTING - September 7:
(or go to http://aish.com/candlelighting)
Jerusalem 6:11
Guatemala 5:46 Hong Kong 6:10 Honolulu 6:17
J'Burg 5:42 London 7:00 Los Angeles 6:43
Melbourne 5:51 Miami 7:08 Moscow 6:32
New York 6:49 Singapore 6:46
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
If you don't have a goal ...
you can't fulfill it.
On behalf of all of us at Aish HaTorah, I would like to wish you and your family a beautiful and sweet New Year, full of God's blessing for health, happiness and success. May your Rosh Hashanah be meaningful and inspiring!
In Loving Memory of |