WELCOME FROM DAYAN BINSTOCK

Dear Friends

Welcome to our and services at St Johns Wood Shul.

Whether you are one of our regular attendees at our services on weekday or ; whether you are an occasional visitor; or whether you simply turn up for a bit on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

The service on Rosh Hashanah is, of course, longer that the average Shabbat. Nevertheless, we intend to finish by about 1.15pm. This book has been prepared to assist you in the . It contains essays and explanations on different aspects of the service which we hope will pique your interest. We are grateful to Ari Shainfeld and David Burr for all the effort they have made in compiling this book.

This year, we are again running a special Explanatory Services which will take place in the David Weisz Hall (the ‘Succah’). On the first day of Rosh Hashanah the service will start at 11.15am and On the service will follow Dayan Binstock’s sermon. Following from last year’s success, on Yom Kippur at 11.15am, there will once again be The Big Debate, the topic in question this year is “Does one need to be practicing to be a good Jew?” The debate will start at 11.45 am followed at 12.45pm by an explanatory service.

The services will be conducted by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld and davening led by Rabbi Yossi Binstock. They will offer an opportunity for a more informal service with a chance to stop and discuss aspects of the .

This year, the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur experience for many people will immeasurably be enhanced by the new Koren with the translation and commentary by Emeritus , Lord Jonathan Sacks. A number of copies have been generously donated to the shul for the use of members. Make sure you take the opportunity to look at this new Machzor! Your time will be well rewarded!

A key part of the service on Rosh Hashanah is to hear the sound of the . I plan to use two ! For the first thirty notes I will blow a traditional ram’s horn. Then later I will use the long curly horn of a kudu antelope. The combination of what I hope will be both shrill and powerful sounds should stir us into reflecting on our lives. The shofar is first sounded at about 9.50 am and the final sounds will be about 12.30pm.

If you know of someone who is unable to come to Synagogue and would appreciate hearing the shofar, do let me know and we will do our best to see of someone can visit them and blow the shofar for them.

In his commentary to the new Machzor Lord Sacks writes that “the shofar is the wordless cry at the heart of a religion of words. is a profoundly verbal culture, a religion of holy texts, impassioned conversation, and ‘argument for the sake of heaven.’ Yet there is a time for emotions that lie too deep for words. The sounds of the shofar break through the carapace of the self-justifying mind, and touches us directly, at the most primal level of our being.”

The shofar has the capacity to open the hearts of all of us to commune with God. May our collective prayers assemble on High, that we, our families and loved ones, all and all Mankind, be inscribed in the Book of Good Life.

Dayan Ivan Binstock Senior Rabbi of St John’s Wood Synagogue 2 CONTENTS

Welcome from Dayan Binstock ...... 2 New Year Message ...... 5 From Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis ...... 5 Chesed in Our Community ...... 6 Guide to Pages in the Machzor ...... 7 Rosh Hashanah First Day ...... 7 Rosh Hashanah Second Day ...... 8 Yom Kippur ...... 9 Yom Kippur ...... 10 Rosh Hashanah ...... 11 Sermon delivered by Dayan Ivan Binstock on the second day of Rosh Hashanah 2013 – 5774 ...... 11 WWW.Rosh-Hashanah ...... 13 Of Rosh Hashanah and Monkeys ...... 15 The Annual High Holiday Spiritual Journey ...... 17 To Kindle a Light in the Darkness of Mere Being ...... 19 The ‘Head’ of The Year ...... 21 Reflections on Your Past ...... 22 To Life! ...... 22 A Father’s Gift ...... 23 09/11/5756 ...... 24 It's All About Us ...... 26 Up Close and Personal ...... 29 Breaking Out of Our Slumber ...... 30 Yom Kippur ...... 34 Sermon delivered by Dayan Binstock before Yizkor on Yom Kippur, St John’s Wood 5774 ...... 34 WWW.Yom-Kippur ...... 36 The Meaning of Yom Kippur ...... 40 The Questions of Yom Kippur ...... 42 The White Flag ...... 44 Elka’s Song ...... 46 Yom Kippur’s Mystery Man Tour ...... 48 Maintaining Our Holiness ...... 50 Succot ...... 52 WWW.Succot ...... 52 The ...... 54 Chol Hamoed – Intermittent Days of Festival ...... 56 Second Day Yom Tov ...... 57 Chol Hamoed ...... 60 What is the ‘Atzeret’ in ? ...... 61 Melacha on Yom Tov ...... 63 Youth...... 64 3 The Month of and Pilgrimage ...... 64 True Sense of Values ...... 65 Kol Nidrei Night...... 66 Yonah and the Whale ...... 66 The Other Half ...... 68 Pink Paper Chains ...... 71 The Message of the Willow Branch – the Arava ...... 73 A Chasid’s Tale ...... 74 Insights ...... 76 A New Strain of Anti-Semitism is on the Rise ...... 76 When People Lose Faith in God they Lose Faith in Humanity Also ...... 78 Doctor Who Urged Disabled to Choose Life ...... 79 Religious Inequalities Between Genders ...... 80 Operation Protective Edge and World Jewry ...... 81 The Definition of a ...... 84 Feminism and Judaism – The Role of ...... 86 The Paradox of our Time In History Is That… ...... 88 I Visualise a Black Hole ...... 89 The Aftermath ...... 89

We thank our authors:

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis Dayan Ivan Binstock – St John’s Wood United Synagogue Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf Rabbi Harvey Belovski – Golders Green United Synagogue Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum – Hadley Wood United Synagogue Rabbi Boruch M. Boudilovsky – Yavneh College United Synagogue Borehamwood South Jeffrey M Cohen Rabbi David Eisenberg – Prestwich Hebrew Congregation, Manchester Rabbi Dr. Moshe Freedman – Northwood United Synagogue Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser Rebetzin Tzipora Heller Rabbi Jonathan Hughes – Richmond United Synagogue Rabbi Michael Laitner – Finchley United Synagogue, Education Director of US Living & Learning Rabbi Marc Levene – Associate Rabbi Hampstead Garden Suburb United Synagogue Rabbi Chaim Morgenstern Rabbi Lord Sacks Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel Rabbi Ari Shainfeld – St John's Wood United Synagogue Rifki Shainfeld – St John’s Wood United Synagogue Rabbi Andrew Shaw – Stanmore & Cannons Park United Synagogue, Director of US Living & Learning

4 NEW YEAR MESSAGE

FROM CHIEF RABBI EPHRAIM MIRVIS In our prayers for the we say Simcha le’artzecha vesasson le’irecha - Give joy to the land and elation to the city of Jerusalem. Following a traumatic and difficult summer it is our fervent hope and that the New Year ushers in peace and security for Israel and the entire region.

Aspiration for happiness is central to our Jewish psyche. We are encouraged to celebrate what we have in a key passage in the Book of Genesis, which we will begin to read on Simchat .

The (Chulin 139a) asks a surprising question: where can be found in the Torah? Surely nowhere! The answer is mystifying: he appears in the Biblical account of the Garden of Eden.

We read: “Hamin ha’etz…”. With these words, Hashem confronted Adam and asked whether he had eaten of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. The Hebrew Hamin has the identical spelling to Haman. On this basis the Talmud declares “This is where Haman can be found in the Torah”.

As we often find in our sources, a creative interpretation of the is the vehicle for an insightful teaching, in this case about inner peace and happiness. The entire Persian nation paid homage to Haman. Only one person, Mordechai, refused to bow down to him. Instead of being content with what he had, Haman fumed and obsessed about the one thing he lacked, Mordechai’s submission.

The Torah provides us with a guide to all situations that confront us in life. In asking where we find a phenomenon like Haman in the Torah, the Talmud answers by identifying him with the precedent of Eden. Instead of being happy with their bountiful blessings, Adam and Eve were miserable about being forbidden the fruit of one single tree. This destructive dissatisfaction led them to lose their paradise.

A year ago, as I took up office, I called on you to ‘come with me’ on a journey. During my first year in office, I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of visiting the majority of our communities in the UK. I have been deeply impressed with what I have seen. Our congregations boast spiritual and lay leaders of the highest calibre. Many dedicated and selfless men and women give contributions of inestimable value to their through their deep and unwavering commitment. We are blessed with warm and hospitable synagogues that stage beautiful services and provide a welcoming home for wonderful people, some of whom might otherwise be forgotten.

Unlike Haman, we recognize and rejoice in our many achievements and take pride in the work of our hands.

While feeling gratified and fulfilled we should not, however, be complacent. There is far more that we can and should be doing to breathe new, fresh and exciting life into our synagogues and community centres. With this in mind, I look forward to being your active partner on this journey, in our quest to build on our attainments to date in order to achieve even greater success in the years to come.

Valerie and I extend our warmest wishes to you all for a happy, joyous, healthy, peaceful and successful New Year.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

5 CHESED IN OUR COMMUNITY

On the surface, the mitzvah to visit the sick, bikur cholim, seems to be a self-evident moral obligation to help someone in need – a sick person might need help, or visitors to cheer them up. However, a more detailed look at the mitzvah of bikur cholim will demonstrate that this is one of the noblest activities that one can engage in, whereby he emulates Hashem Himself, as well as fulfilling the mitzvah of loving one’s fellow Jew.

In Genesis 18:1 Hashem Himself visited Avraham after his circumcision. Our purpose in this world is to emulate Hashem and how better to do so than buy copying what He Himself did?!

Every mitzvah in the Torah is specifically designed to educate us regarding higher levels of awareness and sensitivity, and to give us new horizons in our spiritual growth. What better education could there be for awareness and sensitivity than actively being aware and sensitive?

Chesed (acts of kindness) is one of the three pillars on which the world stands. It can be performed in a variety of ways and under various circumstances. There’s no end to how much chesed we could do. Below are just some of the areas where volunteer work is needed in our community. 1-2 hours a fortnight could make all the difference.

 Visiting members of the community who are housebound  Visiting members in hospital  Helping with lunches in the Shul for our older members  Helping with organising events for our older members  Getting shopping for members unable to manage on their own  Helping with Babes in the Wood, our mothers and toddlers group  Assisting with Synagogue events  Mitzvah Day volunteering  Volunteering at our Shabbat UK event

Aside from all the mitzvot that could be done within the Shul’s framework there are lots of opportunities in the broader community and we would be more than happy to provide details to whoever is interested.

“One who does good deeds for the community, Hashem repays them in kind.”

For more information please contact: Gillian Burr Melody Salem Rabbi Ari [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 020 7586 0156 020 7286 9810 07972 855 519

6 GUIDE TO PAGES IN THE MACHZOR

ROSH HASHANAH FIRST DAY Ref. Prayer Koren Artscroll Routledge Birnbaum Welcome to our Rosh – MORNING SERVICE Hashanah services. 1 Ha’Melech 341 262 80 169 Periodically an 2 Silent 387 296 91 201 announcemen to 401 to 304 to 95 to 209 t will be made 3 Repetition of Amidah 405 306 95 209 referring to 4 Le’Keil Orech Din 441 330 106 261 the number of 5 443 332 107 261 6 Avinu Malkenu 455 384 111 271 the prayer in 7 Ein Kamochah 463 390 114 277 the Service. 8 Reading the Torah 473 402 117 287 This indicates 9 483 416 121 295 the current 10 Sounding of the Shofar 495 432 126 315 prayer for which page MUSAF – ADDITIONAL SERVICE numbers are given in the 11 Silent Amidah 515 448 131 327 Koren, to 549 to 468 to 142 to 347 Artscroll, 12 Repetition of Amidah 551 470 142 349 Routledge and 13 Unetanah Tokef 565 480 146 361 14 Kedushah 577 486 148 363 Birnbaum 15 Vechol Ma’aminim 581 490 149 367 (Single) prayer 16 595 500 154 377 books. 17 Ochilah La’Keil 601 504 155 379 18 1st Shofar in Repetition 607 508 157 383 19 2nd Shofar in Repetition 617 514 160 389 20 3rd Shofar in Repetition 623 520 162 393 21 Duchaning 629 524 164 397 22 Hayom Te’amtzeinu 633 532 166 405 23 Ein Keilokeinu 639 586 168 409 24 203 88 171 419

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Ref. Prayer Koren Artscroll Routledge Birnbaum Welcome to I N our Rosh T Hashanah SHACHARIT – MORNING SERVICE HE

M services. 25 Ha’Melech 341 262 176 169 ACHZOR Periodically an 26 Silent Amidah 387 296 186 201 announcement to 401 to 304 to 190 to 209

will be made 27 Repetition of Amidah 657 342 190 229 referring to the 28 Kedushah 703 374 205 261 number of the 29 Avinu Malkenu 715 384 210 271 prayer in the 30 Ein Kamochah 723 390 213 277 Service. This 31 Reading the Torah 733 402 216 299 indicates the 32 Haftarah 741 416 219 305 current prayer 33 Sounding of the Shofar 749 432 222 315 for which page MUSAF – ADDITIONAL SERVICE numbers are

given in the 34 Hineni 759 444 --- 325 Koren, 35 Silent Amidah 763 448 227 327 Artscroll, to 795 to 468 to 237 to 347 Routledge and 36 Repetition of Amidah 797 536 238 359 Birnbaum 37 Le’Keil Orech Din 799 538 205 261 (Single) prayer 38 Unetanah Tokef 801 538 146 361 books. 39 Kedushah 809 542 148 363 40 Vechol Ma’aminim 813 546 149 367 41 Aleinu 825 554 154 377 42 Ochilah La’Keil 829 558 155 379 43 1st Shofar in Repetition 835 562 157 383 44 2nd Shofar in Repetition 843 566 160 389 45 3rd Shofar in Repetition 849 570 162 393 46 Duchaning 857 574 164 397 47 Hayom Te’amtzeinu 861 582 166 405 48 Ein Keilokeinu 867 586 168 409 49 Adon Olam 203 88 171 419

8 YOM KIPPUR

Welcome to Ref. Prayer Koren Artscroll Routledge Birnbaum our Yom Kippur services. KOL NIDREI Periodically an announcement 1 Kol Nidrei 51 58 15 489

will be made MA’ARIV – EVENING SERVICE referring to the number of the 2 Barchu 63 66 17 495 prayer in the 3 Silent Amidah 77 78 22 503 Service. This 4 Ya’aleh 107 102 31 521 indicates the 5 Selach Na 121 112 36 531 current prayer 6 Omnam Ken 127 116 38 533 for which page 7 Ki Hinei 133 120 39 537 numbers are 8 Shema Koleinu 143 126 45 545 given in the 9 Ashamnu 149 130 46 547 Koren, 10 Al Chet 155 132 49 551 11 Aleinu 181 152 58 571 Artscroll, 12 Anim 187 188 73 127 Routledge and 13 193 158 75 55 Birnbaum 14 Adon Olam 195 158 76 55 (Single) prayer books. SHACHARIT – MORNING SERVICE

15 Ha’Melech 535 320 33 581 16 Silent Amidah 577 350 44 605 17 Repetition of Amidah 601 366 53 623 18 Ata Hu Elokenu 619 376 57 633 19 Imru Lelokim 639 390 64 645 20 Ha’aderet 649 402 70 657 21 LeKeil Orech Din 659 404 77 661 22 Zechor Rachamecha 671 412 90 669 23 Shema Koleinu 679 416 92 673 24 Al Chet 687 422 96 679 25 Ein Kamochah 719 440 107 701 26 727 452 110 711 27 Yizkor Our YIZKOR Booklet

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Welcome to our Ref. Prayer Koren Artscroll Routledge Birnbaum I

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HE services. MUSAF – ADDITIONAL SERVICE M Periodically an 28 Hineni 769 482 --- 743 ACHZOR announcement 29 Silent Amidah 775 486 124 745 will be made 30 Repetition of Amidah 801 502 134 763

referring to the 31 Imru Lelokim 831 522 144 781 number of the 32 Unetaneh Tokef 843 530 149 789 prayer in the 33 Kedushah 853 534 151 793 Service. This 34 Vechol Ma’aminim 859 538 152 797 indicates the 35 Aleinu 873 550 157 807 current prayer 36 Ochila 877 554 158 809 for which page 37 Vekach Haya Omer 885 560 161 815 numbers are 38 Zechor Rachamecha 927 584 178 845 39 Shema Koleinu 945 596 183 847 given in the 40 Al Chet 953 600 186 853 Koren, Artscroll, 41 Duchening 975 614 193 867 Routledge and Birnbaum – AFTERNOON SERVICE (Single) prayer books. 42 Torah Reading 985 630 197 881 43 Silent Amidah 1011 650 206 899 44 Repetition of Amidah 1037 666 215 915 45 Zechor Rachamecha 1055 676 230 927 46 Shema Koleinu 1065 682 232 931 47 Al Chet 1073 686 235 937

NEILAH

48 1101 706 243 957 49 Silent Amidah 1109 712 246 963 50 Repetition of Amidah 1133 726 253 977 51 Petach Lanu Sha’ar 1149 736 258 987 52 Umi Ya’amod 1153 738 260 989 53 Ki Anu Amecha 1171 750 264 1001 54 Avinu Malkenu 1185 758 269 1011

MA’ARIV – EVENING SERVICE

55 Ma’ariv 1199 766 272 1019

10 ROSH HASHANAH

SERMON DELIVERED BY DAYAN IVAN refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone” (Jeremiah 31:15). BINSTOCK ON THE SECOND DAY OF ROSH HASHANAH 2013 – 5774 There are numerous other women in our tradition whose cries—even if not explicitly mentioned—we Friends can hear through the pages of our texts: our We have just finished the sounds of the shofar. matriarch Sarah, upon learning of the intended sacrifice of her only son; Rebecca crying for her The horn I have been using is a from a kudu antelope. beloved son Jacob who has left home to escape Esau’s I chose it because it has a big sound, needed for a anger, never to see his mother again. Or Leah, who building of this type! Nevertheless I have a backup, a had to share her husband with Rachel and saw herself small ram’s horn. The sound it makes is much more as the unloved wife. Or think of the mother of baby plaintive. Indeed it even sounds like a human cry! , Yocheved, who puts her child in a reed basket and leaves her daughter Miriam to keep an eye out In fact that is exactly how the Teruah sound of the for what will happen to him. Where was Yocheved, shofar is supposed to sound. Today as well as being the baby’s mother? Why didn’t she stay? Maybe was called Rosh Hashanah, is also referred to in our probably overcome with emotion at having to prayers Yom Teruah, often translated as ‘the day of abandon her child. the blowing of the shofar.’ Yet one of earliest translations into Aramaic, puts it as ‘the day of the Yet, despite the myriad of examples of crying—and weeping shofar sounds.’ The horn mimics the cry, specifically of mothers crying—when the of the especially of a woman, as she weeps with emotion. Babylonian Talmud sat down to discuss the sounds of the shofar—when they debated the multitude of As look back over our services over these two days of types of cries the shofar represents—the model of Rosh Hashanah we have actually read from the bible wailing they chose is not that of Rachel or even of of a number of instances of women weeping. Sarah. Instead, they chose the cries of a woman who Yesterday, in our Torah portion, we recounted the is never even named and, in the singular reference to story of Hagar, who is in the desert with her son. She her, is known only in relation to the son who evokes can find no water. Rather than watch her son, her tears: the mother of Sisera, a warrior and enemy Ishmael, die from thirst, she abandons him, moves a of the . distance away, and sits down and weeps. In the Haphtarah or section from the prophets yesterday, Here is the background. The Israelite had been we read of Hannah who cries that she is not able to suffering under Jabin, one of the Cannanite kings. The bear children. In today’s Haphtarah portion from the prophetess Deborah inspires Barak who raises an book of Jeremiah we have one of the most poignant army and fights Sisera, one of Jabin’s leading and heart-wrenching scenes in the Bible. Jeremiah generals, in the Kishon valley. Sisera’s ruthlessness paints a picture of the Israelites suffering under was well-known. He had been oppressing Israel for oppression—men plagued by disease, children the past twenty years. Sisera loses the battle and starving in the streets-and ultimately being taken into escapes from the battle field and finds what he thinks exile. Over the sounds of their cries another cry is is refuge in the tent of a woman called Yael. The next heard, the sound of the matriarch Rachel: “Thus said scene has been depicted by many an artist of the the Lord: A cry is heard on high— Wailing, bitter bible where Yael, having put Sisera to sleep, takes the weeping— Rachel weeping for her children. She tent peg, and hammers it into Sisera’s skull, killing cries of a woman we do not even know exists. Hers him! are the cries of a woman whose name we never learn.

Meanwhile, Sisera’s mother is wondering what has There is a profound lesson here. If the shofar reminds happened to her son. He has not returned from the us the tears of those who are hurt, we almost don’t battlefield. His cruelty was so well known that his own need the shofar to think of the tears of the people we mother comforted herself as she awaited his return know we hurt. Some of those are tears for which we by imagining he was late because he was busy raping already feel remorse—we said something hurtful to and pillaging. But then she cries. The bible says someone we love, we forgot something important vateyabeb and the Talmud debates does her cry and caused a friend pain, we acted insensitively. mean a short moan or a long wail – because this is the Some of those are tears for which we do not feel type of sound we need to produce when we blow the remorse—we undermined a co-worker who made R shofar! our lives difficult, we took revenge on an OSH

acquaintance who spoke about us behind our backs, H Now Sisera’s death is seen a significant victory in the we spoke cuttingly to an employee about a piece of ASHANAH war that ultimately freed the Israelites from their work that was not up to scratch, we cut off the driver subjugators and established a period of peace that who sounded his horn at us—and for that we struggle lasted 40 years. Needless to say, his Sisera’s downfall to find the compassion and strength to ask is not one that is mourned in our rabbinic tradition. forgiveness and repent. Nevertheless, those are cries And yet is it not ironic that we seek to model the cries that we hear. The cries of the shofar are also for the of the shofar on the cries over our enemy? Why do cries that we cannot hear. They are the cries of the we remember the tears of mourning for a death we people who suffer because of our actions, whether celebrate? intentional or not.

It is clear from the texts that we believe the actions of Just as saying or doing the wrong thing can hurt Yael to be justified, and they do not require others, sometimes not saying or doing the right thing repentance—one of the central themes we think can hurt others too. If we ignore or fail to respond to about on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Indeed, the our loved ones when they interact with us or respond Israelites have Hashem on their side and are offhandedly without giving full attention to what they seemingly rewarded with victory in battle. are saying, we hurt them. We may sometimes have good reasons for not being very responsive or But it is not Sisera’s cries that we are hearing in the attentive, such as when we are busy or in the midst of sounds of the shofar; it is the cries of his mother. something or when our minds are actively working on Despite the fact that Sisera’s death may be justified, jolting down ideas on paper. During such times, we Sisera still has a mother. And that mother has a son may fail to show care or say a word of encouragement who will never return home. when our loved ones interrupt us, and we often unconsciously put aside what they say to continue It is her cries that we are obligated to hear, and to with what we are doing. Such momentary slips of listen for. attention can lead to serious repercussions and we As R. Neiss in an essay in The Jewish Week points out, can be so wrapped up in what we are doing that we the Talmud is offering us a penetrating insight here. have no idea how much hurt we have caused. The cries that we are to be particularly attentive to Like the mother of Sisera, those whom we have hurt when we sound the shofar are the cries of unintended stand at the window, peering out from behind a consequences, of innocent bystanders, of unknown curtain, unseen, unheard, and sometimes unnamed. victims. The cries of the mother of Sisera are the cries of a woman we have no idea we hurt. Hers are the This Rosh Hashanah, as we’ve listened to the sounds of the large shofar, let us listen out for the cry of this 12 little shofar, for the unnoticed and unheeded cries of  The first day of Tishrei is called ‘a day of shofar all the mothers of Sisera in our own lives and in our blasting’ (Numbers 29:1). Our oral tradition tells communities. Let them finally be heard. us that this day marks the anniversary of the creation of the world. Hence it is the day when,

every year, Hashem ‘takes stock’ of Creation, judging our actions. Thus, we call it Rosh WWW.ROSH-HASHANAH Hashanah, the ‘Head’ of the Year; for just as the When? What? Why? head directs the body, so too, Hashem's judgment on Rosh Hashanah directs the events of When is Rosh Hashanah? the coming year.  The Jewish calendar is a luni-solar calendar, all  Rosh Hashanah lasts for two days, even in Israel the months follow the phases of the moon, and where all other festivals are only one day. the years are adjusted so that the festivals stay in their appropriate seasons. There is a specific What is Rosh Hashanah? What do we do on this harmony and rhythm to the Festivals, which serve day and Why? to blend the physical and spiritual worlds, and to  If one has accepted upon themselves a personal join nature with the human lifecycle. obligation or prohibition during the year, such a  There are two beginnings to the Jewish calendar vow (or oath) must be kept. The Torah however year, Nissan and Tishrei reflecting the dual nature provides a mechanism to release oneself from a of the Jewish calendar lunar and solar, vow. By going to a Bet Din, a court of three respectively. Nissan is the month of the Exodus knowledgeable individuals and annulling the vow. from Egypt and Tishrei is the month of the It is customary after the prayer service on the Creation. morning before Rosh Hashanah to convene a Bet  Rosh Hashanah is preceded by the month of . Din in shul for the entire community to nullify any The word Elul means ‘search’ because during this vow one may have made during the year. If one month we search our hearts for evil and repent in has not done this before Rosh Hashanah it is preparation for Rosh Hashanah. possible to arrange for such a sitting on any  The month of Tishrei has three names: morning after the service, preferably before Yom When counting from Nissan it is ‘The seventh Kippur. month’ (Leviticus 23:24). Jewish tradition  We honour and enjoy the Festival by attributes special value and significance to being preparations like bathing, haircuts, special (new) the seventh. Our sages wrote ‘All sevenths are clothing and cleaning the house. A husband beloved above’. Moses was the seventh should buy new clothing or jewellery for his wife generation from Abraham, David was the seventh and treats are given to the children. son of Yishai, Shabbat is on the seventh day of the  Although this is a day of judgement and each week, the Shemita year of rest is the seventh year individual is judged on the merit of his deeds. of the cycle and there are many more examples. Whether he will live out the year or not. Whether ‘The month of the strong’ (Kings I 8:2) because he will have financial success or ruin. Whether he the pillars of strength of the world Abraham Isaac will be healthy or ill. On Rosh Hashanah we wear and Jacob were all born during Tishrei special (new) clothing and eat two festive meals each day to show the confidence we have in ‘Tishrei’ is the name that came into use after the Hashem's kindness and the outcome of His Babylonian exile. decisions.  This month is endowed with more Mitzvot and  The woman of the household lights the holiday festive days than any other month. candles before sunset of the first night. 6.40 pm. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah she should

13 light after sunset 7.40 pm transferring from an  Red symbolizes blood and Divine judgment. existing flame and being careful not to extinguish White symbolizes milk, goodness, sustenance the match used for the transfer. She should recite and mercy. Therefore, on Rosh Hashanah it is the blessings over the candles. It is traditional to customary to avoid wearing red and to prefer light a 24+ hour candle before Yom Tov from white, in order that we are judged with mercy and which the flame can be transferred on the second merit a happy and prosperous year. night.  The Amida prayer of Rosh Hashanah has three  We sanctify the Festival with words, as on essential components, three descriptions of how Shabbat by reciting over wine at the we should relate to Hashem. night and also during the day, before the meals. 1. Malchiot – Kingship:  At the night meals we eat sweet apples dipped in Hashem is the Holy King who rules the world, He

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honey, in prayer that we merit a good and sweet is the Incorruptible and Righteous Judge of the OSH year. World who favours no one and cannot be bribed.  We also have the custom to eat foods He is the true God and His word, the Torah, is true H

ASHANAH representing joy and blessing at the night meals, and eternal. ‘Whatever He wills, He can do,’ yet and prayers are recited for a good year using puns He is also the Father of the orphan and the Judge based on the names and nature of the foods of the widow Who is always on the side of the

(simanim). Some of these are: powerless.  Kara [squash] – which suggest the word meaning ‘to read’. Hence: ‘May our merits be 2. Zichronot - Remembrances read out before you’. We recognize that Hashem is above Time, and the  Silki [beets] – which suggests the word idea of ‘forgetting’ does not apply to Him, nor is meaning ‘to remove’. Hence: ‘May our He limited in ‘understanding’ the inner thoughts enemies be removed’. of His creatures. Nevertheless, we ask that He  Fish head, carrots, pomegranates, leeks and ‘remember’ only the ‘good’ on our behalf when dates, are other examples that are commonly He Judges us. For all of humanity, for the whole used. world is judged on this day, we ask that He ‘remember’ the faith of Noach. For the Jewish These foods should be tasty and not bitter or People in particular, we ask that He ‘remember’ sour. the early loyalty of our People, who followed Him as a bride. Most of all, we ask that He ‘remember’  We try to bring a new seasonal fruit to the second the supreme act of devotion performed by our night meal, one that the diners have not eaten for fathers Avraham and Yitzchak at the akeida. a full year. We have this fruit in mind when

reciting the shehechiyanu blessing in Kiddush. 3. Shofarot - Blasts of the Shofar  Guests! - ‘One who celebrates but We recall the time that Hashem revealed Himself closes his door to the less fortunate is engaged in on Mt. and gave us the Torah. joy of the stomach and not joy of a mitzvah’.

 Special Greeting for the first night of Rosh ‘Amid thunder and lightning did You reveal Hashanah: Yourself to them, amid the sound of the Shofar did you appear to them.’ The Shofar will be blown  ‘Be inscribed and sealed for a good year!’ during the final battles of Israel with its enemies.  To a man - ‘Leshana tova tikateiv It will be sounded when our Exiles return. It will v'techateim!’ be sounded when the Temple will be rebuilt. It is  To a woman - ‘Leshana tova tikateivi the sound signifying the Presence of the majesty vetichatemi!’

14 of Hashem. We ask that it be sounded again with  Tashlich is traditionally performed on the first day the arrival of the Mashiach. of Rosh Hashanah, afternoon. We go down to a  The highlight of the daily prayer service is the river, preferably one with fish, and empty our sounding of the shofar, the ram's horn. Although pockets into the water. We then read from the the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a book of the Prophet Micha verses about teshuva, Divine decree, there are many symbolic repentance. ‘Tashlich’ means ‘casting off’ and elements. To awaken us from our slumber, involves symbolically casting off the sins of the review our actions, repent our sins and previous year into the water. Just as the water remember our creator. Trumpets are sounded to carries away the crumbs from our pockets, so too glorify the King, to announce the onset of the ten are sins symbolically carried away. By viewing our days of repentance and to remind us of the sins as something external, something that is not revelation at Mt. Sinai. The sounding of the shofar us, but rather a terrible burden that we are serves to remind us of the destruction of the Holy carrying through our lives, we are tired of them Temple and to remind us of the horn of the ram and we want to cast them away into a river, it which was sacrificed in place of Yitzchak at the makes it easier for us to cast them off in reality. Akeida. It instils in us as sense of trepidation and  Rosh Hashanah is a Yom Tov and certain types of fear that leads us to humble ourselves before Melacha (work) are prohibited. See ‘Melacha on Hashem before the great Day of Judgement. The Yom Tov’ article in the Succot section of this shofar awakens our yearning for the future companion. ingathering of our dispersed exiles to the Land of  After Yom Tov: Like last year, this year the two Israel and for the resurrection of the dead. days of Rosh Hashanah are immediately followed  Laws of by Shabbat. Shabbat is considered a higher level  The commandment to hear the shofar of holiness than Yom Tov so we do not make blowing requires conscious intent to fulfil the until after Shabbat. Then the regular mitzvah. Havdalah is recited with wine, spices, and a  The shofar blower recites two blessings; the candle as usual. community must listen to the blessings and Written/compiled by: Rabbi Ari Shainfeld respond ‘’ to each one. (One should not

say ‘Baruch hu uvaruch sh'mo’ to these blessings.) OF ROSH HASHANAH AND MONKEYS  One should stand during the recitation of the One of the most meaningful things we can do on Rosh blessings and for all of the shofar blasts. Hashanah is to review what we are trying to achieve  It is forbidden to speak from the beginning of with our lives and whether we have met our goals in the first blessing until after the final shofar the past year. Perhaps we should also review those blast (at the end of ). aims and perform a reality check. If we don't do this  It has become the custom to sound the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, I think it's safe to say that we will one hundred times during each day’s mussaf probably never will. There are many ways of service. However the accepted minimum halachic achieving this, but my suggestion for this year is to requirement is for the first thirty sounds. consider the following.  Another famous and beautiful Prayer we recite on this day is ‘U'Netaneh Tokef It is clear that before the great flood, Man was Kedushat Hayom’ ‘Let Us Tell How Utterly Holy intended to be vegetarian — he was not allowed to This Day Is’. For the moving story and background kill animals for food until afterwards. It seems that behind this prayer see the notes in the Artscroll human nature was somewhat different before the Machzor, page 480. In the Koren Machzor the deluge; perhaps more passive and contemplative prayer is on page 565. than today. Actually, it was the act of killing animals

15 that was prohibited — there are sources that suggest monkey-brain feast, but that wasn't the point). He that Adam was allowed to eat carrion. Only after the said that the higher functions of monkeys are so flood were Noah and his family permitted to sophisticated that it seems morally wrong to eat slaughter animals for food. The Torah (Bible) strongly them. They are just too human. When challenged contrasts its authorisation to kill animals with the about chicken and fish, which he seemed comfortable prohibition of killing people, which remains strictly eating, even though they express certain humanoid forbidden. Man must not make the mistake of faculties (such as thought and pain), he cheapening human life, although he may kill animals. acknowledged that drawing the line can be very difficult. This is a rather interesting point, as these days, it is not uncommon for people to equate the value of The Torah is unequivocal about this — the line is animals and humans. A while ago, I heard a radio drawn between humans and animals. Of course, we R

OSH broadcast in which a Californian academic with quite are obliged to respect animals and be sensitive to

impressive credentials noted that as monkeys have their needs and pain, but there is a dimensional gulf H over 90% of the genes of humans, they should be between us and them. It lies in something I ASHANAH accorded rights in the same proportion. By this, he mentioned above — the notion of responsibility. meant 90% of the healthcare facilities, social services What divides us from the animals (and thereby makes etc. We may assume that in response, our simian us human) is that unlike them, we can be altruistic, friends will have to bear 90% of the responsibility of focus on the needs of others and if, necessary, delay humans — i.e. taxation and service in the armed. our need for immediate gratification to achieve Presumably, in the future, we can expect to share higher goals. hospitals wards, army barracks and dole queues with monkeys. Criminal monkeys will serve 90% of the Animals live deterministic lives; they feed, reproduce, prison sentences of their human counterparts and run from danger and migrate instinctively. We, in will be required to attend 90% of their quota of contrast, have the freedom of choice that allows every moment and experience to be invested with schooling. It may also means that a human who steals a banana from a monkey will be condemned to 90% meaning. Monkeys may share 90% or more of our of the consequences of robbing a fellow human. An genes, but they share none of our potential and/or capacity to change ourselves and our world. In this old joke comes to mind — a monkey that has escaped from its cage is eventually found in a library holding a regard, there is no distinction between a monkey and Bible in one hand and Darwin's 'The Origin of Species' the banana he eats. The only cogent place to draw a line is between the free-choosing and the in the other. When questioned about its behaviour it responds, 'I am wondering if I am my brother's keeper deterministic; between we humans and everything or my keeper's brother.' else in Hashem's creation.

A thought occurred to me on this theme — since This notion helps us to formulate our life-goals at Rosh Hashanah. What makes us truly human is our bananas share some genes with humans, would it not be logical to accord them say 30% of the rights of capacity to live life in the presence of Hashem, people? Where is the line? Some people might even constantly aware that every action counts, that each thought and feeling is significant and can, quite prefer sharing a prison cell with a banana than a monkey, although I think we can assume that the literally, change the world. Regrettably, during the monkey would prefer to share with the banana! I year we often lose this sensitivity, forgetting that we can dedicate ourselves to lives of altruism, focused on recall a conversation a number of years ago with a prominent academic who asked me if I would eat a the needs of other human beings, tuned in to higher, monkey, were it kosher. I answered in the affirmative. spiritual concerns. Instead of a life in the spiritual fast lane, in which we transform ourselves and our world, (I don't know if monkeys taste good, and many we may favour the lazy and banal, relegating personal Hollywood adventure films feature the apocryphal

16 growth and the elevation of every experience to the peace and harmony with mankind, creation, and bottom of our agenda. Hashem.

Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world; as such it The eighteenth century Chassidic Master, Rabbi the annual chance to ensure that we are living up to Nachman of Breslav, teaches that the first three Hashem's expectations for us and His creation. Do we festivals of the Jewish year – Rosh Hashanah, Yom deemphasise our needs in preference to those of Kippur and Succot – correspond to three dimensions Hashem? Do we grab every opportunity to set aside of perspective: Truth, Absolute Truth, and Peace our own desires to bring happiness to other human (Emet, Emet La’amita, and Shalom). Rabbi Nachman beings? Does our behaviour in private reflect the teaches that if one is caught in theft, the attribute of same high standards as those we exhibit in public? Truth confidently and unambiguously labels him or These things define who we are; they not only her a thief. Nevertheless, an additional, different distinguish us from the animals, but validate spotlight may be trained on the thief and his or her Hashem's decision to create the world in the first actions – that of Absolute Truth. The gaze of Absolute place. This is the theme of Rosh Hashanah — Truth is piercing, penetrating, and as such, can reawakening the God awareness in all of us that so achieve further, more nuanced insights into the fundamentally expresses the purpose of creation. So incident. The lens of Absolute Truth attempts to spy on Rosh Hashanah we crown Hashem, paying homage out not only what occurred but, more importantly, to His majesty and limitless might, through our why it occurred. It may reveal, say, that the thief is renewed commitment to implementing His will with an honest, hardworking person struck by sudden every act. misfortune; he has lost his livelihood, his savings, and his home, and his wife has taken seriously ill. To keep Let us celebrate our true human potential on Rosh her alive he must purchase a costly drug which he Hashanah; may this be a year in which we take full cannot afford, and in his desperation he resolves to advantage of every precious moment that Hashem steal the drug instead. Absolute Truth does not deny grants us. that the man is responsible for his crime and must Written by Rabbi Harvey Belovski – Golders Green Synagogue bear the sanctions dictated by law; still, a thief he is not. He may have practiced theft, but he is no thief!

THE ANNUAL HIGH HOLIDAY The third perspective is that of Peace. Peace is closely attuned to the voice of Absolute Truth and SPIRITUAL JOURNEY subsequently urges us, society, to continue living in The frequently taken-for-granted High Holiday Jewish harmony with the transgressor. We extend to him a theme of forgiveness could and should be seriously renewed mutuality and trust; an atmosphere is challenged. Is it really possible to start anew? By cultivated in which healthy relations between society what virtue do we seek forgiveness? Are we not and its flawed members can be restored and doomed by our human nature to move forever within maintained, leading to communal harmony. the cycle of mortal error and its consequences? Can the damaging deeds of our past be erased Rosh Hashanah is the day of ultimate judgment completely? And do we even really deserve another before Hashem. In our prayers we meditate on how chance? this judgment is inescapable and how, on this day, our fate during the New Year is determined down to the The anatomy of the High Holiday period offers a last detail. Human conduct is measured on Rosh possible answer to these fundamental questions. The Hashanah with the strict yardstick of Truth, a high holiday milestones come together to create a standard by which few can hope to be found progressive experiential journey, which not only satisfactory. How many of us can honestly suggest explains, but actually enables the notion of that we have been truly committed to our values forgiveness. Step by step, we are guided towards 17 throughout the year? We therefore do not even This annual journey sweeps us from the lowest point attempt a counter-argument. In the face of a reality in our relationship with Hashem, at which we are shown up in the blunt light of Truth there is little to unable even to make a defensive argument on our be said. This may explain why there is no day of judgment, to the climactic emotional and or request of forgiveness throughout the Rosh spiritual joy of celebrating a harmonious and unified Hashanah . Instead we concentrate on relationship with the Creator and His world. This is proclaiming the sovereignty of Hashem. In the how we can begin anew every New Year. Each and privacy of our consciences we then commit to a every one of us receives, every single year, an open better year and rest confident that all will be well. invitation to embark on this remarkable journey. It is my hope that we all this opportunity and Yom Kippur, however, is completely different. The merit to experience it as a community in the city of

Divine judgment on Yom Kippur is linked to the R Peace, Jerusalem. attribute of Absolute Truth. Yom Kippur recognizes OSH Written by Rabbi Boruch M. Boudilovsky – Yavneh College our unsatisfactory behaviour but suggests that not H only our superficial, external behaviour be examined, Synagogue Borehamwood South ASHANAH but our deeper, underlying motives as well. This searching gaze, unique to the judgment conducted on

Yom Kippur, allows us to venture a counter- argument. In it, we boldly address the issue of sin and its consequences; we repeatedly recite a long, detailed list of sins. We omit nothing; we plead one hundred per cent guilty. Still, we seek forgiveness. Our willingness to admit our failures, repent, and try to commit to a better lifestyle is evidence that deep inside we are not really sinners. We sin out of weakness, not out of wickedness. We are like the person who has committed theft, but is no thief.

Finally we progress to Succot, the festival of peace, joy, and celebration. The Hebrew words Succah and Shalom often appear together, for instance in the phrase ‘Succat Shlomecha’, Hashem's Canopy of Peace. On Succot we live in uncomplicated, all- encompassing harmony with Hashem and His Torah. It is Chag Simchateynu – our Festival of Joy – as testified by the nightly celebration of Simchat Bet HaShoeva, an ecstatic musical ceremony dating back to biblical times. And on the final day of we take out our Torah scrolls. We lovingly lift, embrace, and kiss them. We sing and dance with them. An innocent bystander would be hard pressed to believe that a mere week ago we had pleaded guilty to an on-going unfaithfulness to the values of this very same beloved Torah. This incredible inconsistence is, actually, completely natural in the serene realm of Peace. Succot follows Yom Kippur as Peace follows Absolute Truth.

18 TO KINDLE A LIGHT IN THE lamentable? Every Shabbat, we confirm the dictum in Proverbs 3:17, ‘Its [the Torah's] ways are paths of DARKNESS OF MERE BEING pleasantness’. Thus, if having children is a mitzvah (a Every Night and every Morn Torah 'way') it must be ‘noam’ more pleasant for those children to exist than not to. Indeed, R. Bachye Some to Misery are born. ben Asher ibn Halawa1 asks this question based on Every Morn and every Night the verse in Genesis 1:31: 'And Hashem saw Some are born to Sweet Delight, everything He did (presumably including the creation Some are born to Endless Night. of mankind), and it was very good’. Again, this surely implies that our being here is a positive thing!

William Blake, Songs of Experience Furthermore, why was it relevant for the Talmud to inform us about the amount of time that these two

great academies were embroiled in this debate? Judaism’s calendar is unlike any other. It begins not Nowhere else is the duration of a halachic argument with the date on which the Torah was given, or even taken into account! And why ‘two and a half years’? with the birth of Abraham, Moses or any of the Jewish The usual practice is to round up or down to the prophets. Rather, it starts with the creation of nearest whole number. Moreover, what is the mankind. Indeed, the 1st of the Hebrew month of meaning of the almost sighing, post-facto, directive to Tishrei is the day when Adam and Eve were created. watch our actions now that we are here? Closer Consequently, Rosh Hashanah is the time to reassess investigation would appear to be required. the raison d'être not only of ourselves and our The Maharal2 posits an intriguing approach to these community, but of humanity it its entirety. questions. He asserts that a human is a hybrid being The Talmud (Eruvin 13b) states: that is half-animal, half-angel, comprised of a total of Our Rabbis taught: For two and a half years, the five core forces/elements. Two of these forces Academies of Shammai and Hillel were divided. Some pertain to the physical side of man, with each of these were saying, ‘It is better for a person not to have been operating as a carrier for one of the two forces that created than to have been created’. And others were form man's transcendent side. In addition, there is a saying, ‘It is better for a person to have been created fifth substrate which underpins all the other forces, than not to have been created’. physical and spiritual. Consequently, two and a half forces can be said to lean towards the refined, good They counted votes and concluded, ‘It is better for a aspect of humanity as they are more connected to the person to not have been created than to have been spirit, and two and a half gravitate more towards created. Now that he was created, he should examine negativity since they are more inclined to the his deeds’. material.

How do we begin understanding this seemingly This dramatic tension that resides within the human pessimistic passage and its conclusion that we would condition is prophetically portrayed by the very be better off not existing? On Rosh Hashanah, don't letters of the word for man in Hebrew, ‘Adam’. The we celebrate the birth of mankind? What about the first letter of Adam is aleph, which has the numerical mitzvah of piryah verivyah – to be fruitful and value of one. This connotes the one uniting force, multiply (c.f. Genesis 1:23), and lasheves yatzerah – underpinning both physical and spiritual aspects. This [the world] was created to be inhabited ( is followed by the letter daleth, possessing the 45:18)? Do these commandments ironically promote numerical value of four. This indicates the existence a human population whose existence is cosmically of these four evenly balanced yet opposing forces,

1 d. Spain 1340 2 R. Yehudah Loew ben Bezalel, d. Prague 1609 19 two closer to the Godly and two pitched towards the “The unexamined life is not worth living” destructive. The word concludes with the letter mem, Socrates, Apology 38a which lies at the exact midpoint of the aleph-bet, Now that it is here and is not going away, the Talmud hinting that these five forces are evenly split, two and is teaching us that life, despite being rife with likely a half on one side and two and a half on the other. calamity, presents an awesome opportunity to climb This delicate equilibrium is also alluded to in the the mountain of one’s potential. Someone who keeps spelling of the word to describe man's creation itself. an eye on the mountain top, aiming to implement as The Hebrew word ‘Vayeitzer’/’And He [Hashem] much of one’s potential as possible, who reaches created...’ (Genesis 2:7) is written with two Hebrew beyond the first 2 1/2 elements of the human letter yuds (instead of the normal spelling, which condition, constantly inspecting and evaluating his would have called for only one yud). One of the yuds deeds – for him, the inexplicable reality of human R

OSH represents the human capacity for morality and existence holds remaining value. ascension; the other signifies our evil inclination. Man H

I recall a few years back an exhibit of ‘homo sapiens’ ASHANAH walks the tightrope over the abyss with Heaven only at London Zoo. I remember asking myself, is that all inches above his head. human beings are? Another specimen to view in its

Accordingly, the Maharal understands that the natural habitat? Sometimes one wonders. Are we academies of Hillel and Shammai were not only really capable of being more than a ‘quintessence of arguing for two and a half years. On a deeper level, dust’? Do we justify our fragile and perhaps they were debating which of the two 'two and a half regrettable existence? Are we sanctifying ourselves elements' dominates the human personality. The as spiritual beings in human bodies? Or are we academy of Shammai prevailed with the argument vulgarising ourselves into animals with a greater that man's nefarious potential is likely to eclipse his cranial capacity? Is the world becoming a reflection of virtues, negating the value of human existence. spirituality and goodness? Are we bringing the world Therefore, both houses concluded that, ideally, it closer to Hashem? Or are we doing far more harm would have been better for man not to have been than good to our fellow man, the world and our created given the tremendous risks involved. environment?

Nevertheless, this Talmudic resolution continues with On Rosh Hashanah, Hashem sits down, ready to a post-script after its basic verdict to include some review His creations and judge mankind for its advice: ‘Now that he was created, he should examine performance over the past year. He looks down and his deeds’. In fact, the Talmud goes out of its way to what does He see? There is so little recognition of present two subtly different versions of this Him. Millions of people who have not the faintest statement, one focussing on examining past deeds idea who Hashem is and why they were created. and another on circumspectly assessing future Millions who possess grossly perverted theological actions. Thus, despite the bleak conclusion of the vote views — if they have views at all. Where is the that, on balance, it would have been better not to promotion of spiritual and ethical growth? Often, we have been created, there is a glimmer of hope for only see thoughts of survival, making ends meet and those who inspect their past deeds and/or pay close quenching self-centred passions. attention to the cost-benefit analysis of future ones. And one small nation remains — a nation which We cannot possibly know why Hashem promotes the Hashem originally had to set apart after practically tragedy of human existence, but there is a sliver of giving up on the rest of the ancient world for moral hope preserved. For the introspective among us, leadership. And how is that nation faring? Are we role existence could still be a boon. This accords well with models to the world? Is mankind learning from our an aphorism of another tradition: example? Or are we downtrodden, despised and ridiculed, if not openly oppressed? Indeed, there are 20 cryptic Talmudic passages that refer to Hashem as THE ‘HEAD’ OF THE YEAR ‘crying’ in His inner chambers — over the Exile, our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, also known as the suffering and the absence of the Divine Presence (see days of awe, are surrounded by significant symbolism Chagiga 5b and Jeremiah 13:17). Hashem, it appears, and practise. These beautiful traditions usually doesn't have many ‘chassidim’. manifest in fun yet meaningful customs, such as Perhaps the workings of the world and Hashem’s dipping apple in honey to highlight the sweetness of judgement are beyond our comprehension. the year to come, as well as the penetrating blasts of Sometimes, things just do not make sense. Yet this life the shofar to awaken our souls. It is also noteworthy is a mystery that humans are not charged to solve. We that the name Rosh, obviously meaning head, is given can feel secure in the knowledge that on the level of great significance and is used within our blessings as the Divine, the world does make sense and it is and we liken ourselves to a head as opposed to a tail. will be revealed as a place underpinned by truth, Therefore, Rosh Hashanah is not just the first day of justice and beauty. We can leave its inner workings to the year, it’s the head of the year, and that begs that perfect yet inscrutable Being, while in our own further insight. small way, attempt to serve Him, examining our The head is very different from other parts of the deeds and slowly bring the world to the greatness for body. The first and most significant distinction is that which it is destined. the head tells the other body parts what to do, but We, the Jewish people, must dust ourselves down not only that; all our other limbs and organs have and rise to the challenges that face us this Rosh limitations. Our arms can only carry so much weight, Hashanah. We need to be like Van Gogh, the great our legs can only run so fast, and our eyes can only Dutch painter, who unlike all the other painters of his see up to a certain distance. By contrast, our heads generation used the raw material of the landscape of have limitless capability. When thinking of Europe to perceive and create new realities. He found complicated equations or deep concepts outside of himself constantly at odds with his society and yet he our regular brain functions, this idea might seem spoke to his generation and continues to speak to us farfetched. However, when it comes to our spiritual because he elevated himself to the point where he growth and our understanding of the infinite wisdom was able to perceive the extent of the dimensions behind Hashem’s world, we have immeasurable that art could reach, places nobody else could opportunities and limitless growth laid out in front of discover. Just like the arts, one cannot inherit faith us. When it comes to our observance and dedication, and one cannot simply receive the Jewish tradition. there is no maximum capacity. One must learn to fight to become a real Jew and with It all comes down to desire – how much do we want it to preserve and maintain human dignity and to grow? How much effort are we prepared to put sanctity. To be truly religious has nothing to do with into our spiritual life as we balance our already being 'frum': it is to live in a state of internal struggle. overburdened work and family responsibilities? To know that we live in an imperfect world, but never Merely knowing that we have endless potential to give up on being perfect. This Rosh Hashanah, may doesn’t help us to move forward, we need an impetus we review our lives and our very existence; to aim to or kick start; this is the purpose of Rosh Hashanah. It repair this broken world with perfect love and perfect is not just the beginning of the year; it exists to help faith. Let us sincerely examine our deeds and take the us our heads in the game, to prioritise our spiritual necessary risks to become elevated. needs, and to learn the important lesson that our Written by Rabbi Jonathan Hughes – Richmond Synagogue personal growth is unlimited and never-ending. Whether it will be our time in shul during the prayer service, listening to the words of the Rabbis during the sermon; the familiar blasts of the shofar and the lighting of the beautiful yom tov candles; or perhaps 21 celebrating with friends and family with fish heads honey from last year with this year’s or are we and pomegranates, the opportunities are abundant. interested in more important things? Are we With so many aspects to the upcoming festivals, we apprehensive about the long davening we remember need only switch on and – realise we are from last year instead of looking forward to the joining with our brothers and sisters around the world chance of asking for a good year? to keep the flame of Torah alight for another year. Rosh Hashanah is not just the time to be like a head, Rosh Hashanah is a time that is very important and is not only about going through the motions. This year’s but to use our heads. fate depends very much on our new year. Let us make May we all be blessed for a happy and healthy year, the most of it! and may there be eternal peace for us all.

Written by Rabbi David Eisenberg - Prestwich Hebrew R

Written by Rabbi Marc Levene – Associate Rabbi Hampstead Congregation, Manchester OSH Garden Suburb Synagogue

H

TO LIFE! ASHANAH There are so many special memories I have of my EFLECTIONS ON OUR AST R Y P Saba, my grandfather. His loving smile, Shabbos songs

I recently heard a story that I’d like to share with you. and his easy going always-happy outlook on life are An American Jewish prison inmate told about his all things that I have tried to incorporate into my experiences of the summer in his penitentiary. During psyche and personality. Yet he had one daily ritual the winter the inmates are not taken out in to the big that, although my mother won’t let me try yet (she courtyard because it is too cold to go outside. In the says when I grow up I can try), is still a very vivid summer, however, the inmates are allowed to go out memory for me and its message is inspiring and have a walk around. The courtyard is surrounded nonetheless. You see, every morning after walking by high fences and barbed wire so that the feeling of with Saba to Shul and davening we would make our freedom is not that great but it’s better than sitting in way back up the stairs to his apartment (only lazy a cell all day long. people take stairs) and then make our way to his This fellow said that during his first year's summer corner cabinet in the dining room. He would then, excursions in prison all he could think of was his with great fanfare, pull out a little shot glass and his family. He remembered holidays and how bottle of sheva sheva sheva, 777, or slivovitz and he had strolled through the mountains with his loved proceed to make his daily L’Chaim (To Life!). Then he ones. Now, he was alone in this prison and he missed would paraphrase Benjamin Franklin (although I don’t them terribly. How he wished he could spend time think he knew it, and maybe good old Ben got it from with his beloved wife and children! Three years later, us anyways) and say ‘A L’Chaim a day keeps you when he was allowed out again in the summer, he healthy, wealthy, and wise’. As I make my weekly wasn't thinking about his family anymore. Instead, he toast at our Shabbos table and Kiddush I often think started comparing last year’s summer with this year’s about his L’Chaim and the message behind it. summer. Last year was hotter and the courtyard was Parashat Nitzavim is always read before Rosh a lot more crowded. This year was much nicer. Hashanah, and in it Moshe, our greatest leader, in his At that point he caught himself! He had been through final words to our Nation, enjoins us to also make a the motions so many times that all he could do is L’Chaim of sorts. compare things with the year before instead of ‘I have placed life and death before you, blessing and focussing on the real pleasures he was missing out on. curse; and you shall choose life, so that you will live, I think this is a feeling many of us have when it comes you and your offspring.’ to Rosh Hashanah. Do we just compare the apple and

22 A rather simple choice one might think, after-all the wish you and your family a Shana Tova. May you have alternative does not seem nearly as enticing. Yet as a happy, healthy and blessed New Year filled with joy this Rosh Hashanah approaches I wonder if I truly and fulfilment in all your endeavours. May this year have been making the choice of life as I have lived my also be one that brings peace to Israel, and our life this year. Have I been living life, or has life been brethren there, and may Hashem grant us the living me? There are so many things that go on daily, strength to choose the gift of life this year so we may weekly and monthly throughout the year and it is truly experience all our souls yearn for; Lchaim. sometimes difficult to be able to pull back and Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel recognize that we can make choices about life. Yes we can give charity, pray and even learn and adapt to the challenges and values we wish to live by. Yet the A FATHER’S GIFT sense of appreciation that those choices are truly He was so far from yiddeshkeit. So very far. Anatoly ones that are the essence of life and what makes us was raised in Odessa in a completely secular humans in the image of God for some reason is not environment. No Shabbos, no Kosher, no Chanukah always there. Perhaps it is because we’re raised in a Menorah, he never even knew about the High society that takes for granted life and the freedom to Holidays or Rosh Hashanah until last year. He had choose and doesn’t focus enough on the significance come to America, made a life for himself, built a of the choices we make to empower us with the gift family, but Judaism was never something that and joy of a choice driven life. Moshe concludes this interested him. It was a new world, the faith of his message with the secret realization of the significance ancestors was exactly that; something his Old Russian of the choice of life grandparents had practiced and been persecuted for. ‘To love Hashem, your God, to listen to his voice and Even if there was a God, Anatoly thought he certainly to cleave to him, for He is your life and the length of was never going to find anything to connect him with your days.’ Him. That was until he went to Israel for the first time to visit some relatives he had there. The choice to channel and tap into the essence of our life is to recognize the incredible goodness and love Somehow everything seemed to change for him over our Father in Heaven has gifted us with in his ways there on that trip. He felt stirrings somewhere deep and his Torah. For there is nothing our soul yearns inside that he couldn't identify. He felt that he had more than to live a life basking in the choices that been there before. He saw of all hats and draws us closer to of that which gave us backgrounds and he felt an allegiance towards them. that life. It is that message Moshe was giving to us He spoke with some Rabbis he had met there and before he passed on and that I believe we are meant they had opened up a world to him. It was a foreign to focus on in this reading before Rosh Hashanah. I’m world, a world that he wasn't sure he would ever have not saying that a morning L’Chaim is the solution to anything to do with. But something spoke to him, a focusing and appreciating the gift of life. Yet I marvel voice he couldn't seem to shake. at the incredible wisdom of having the ability and On his way back home to Los Angeles he had arranged foresight to be able to start off every day with a toast to have a that would layover in Odessa, his old to life. childhood home. He walked around his old I miss my Saba. For his morning L’Chaim was not just neighbourhood and as Jewish fate always seems to a ritual in the morning it was an attitude for life. It was have it, he bumped in to an old man who recognized a daily reminder (with a kick!) that today is a day him. As he shared with the old man his experience in where I will make choices in life, and for life. Israel the old man told him about how difficult it had been to be Jewish in Russia growing up. He then On behalf of my family, The Seattle , and the handed Anatoly the gift that would change his life West Seattle Torah Learning Centre I would like to forever. One who’s lesson has certainly inspired mine. 23 It was an old worn out Rosh Hashanah Machzor back. But why does He do this? Haven't we (prayer book). Its pages were old and brittle but abandoned Him? The answer lays in part II of seemingly very typical. Yet as he flipped through the Anatoly's story. pages something caught his eyes. He noted that by After Odessa, Anatoly went back to L.A. a changed one of the prayers the words were crossed out. In the famous prayer (Our Father Our King) man. He found himself a Synagogue, began to study recited throughout the High Holiday season the word and developed a relationship with a special Rabbi he had met. One day he worked up the courage and Malkeinu, (Our King) was crossed out and replaced with the word Czar. Then the word Czar was crossed showed him his precious Machzor. When the Rabbi out too, and replaced with the name Stalin; which saw the Machzor he pointed out to Anatoly an even more incredible lesson. He told Anatoly to note that was also crossed out as well. Seemingly the owner of the word Malkeinu was crossed out, but the first R this Machzor fearing for their lives from the Czarist or OSH Communist Governments had changed the text. word Avinu (Our Father), never was. There are times throughout history when Jews have felt they had H

Tears began to rush down his face as he considered ASHANAH the conditions that this Machzor owner must have pressures, forces, and threats that were too lived under, and what he would've given to be able to overwhelming; they crossed out the Malkeinu in their books. They came to new worlds where different live with the freedom that Anatoly now possessed. He

was shaken to his core that this Machzor had gods ruled in their minds. But they never could somehow made its way into his hand. He kissed the replace Avinu, our loving caring Father in heaven. precious book and made a New Year’s resolution. The We approach Rosh Hashanah this week. Many of us Malkeinu would no longer be erased; he, Anatoly, have not necessarily lived this year as our King would make Hashem his King and find out about his would’ve wanted us too. We question if there’s a tradition. This is the first part of the story. place for us back home. Who are we to come to Shul, Parashat Nitzavim, the one always read before Rosh blow a Shofar proclaiming Hashem as our King and hope to be judged for a good year? The answer is that Hashanah, contains in it the Eternal promise of the Jewish people. After reiterating the blessings and he is also Avinu, our Father. He is our Father who has curses that will come in response to our observance promised us that no matter how far from the edges of heaven we have floundered we can come back of the commandments, Hashem says: home. He will bring us back Home. We just have to “When all these things come upon you and your heart open our , open our hearts, and take our will return to you amongst all the nations of which rightful places at our ancestral heritage and heavenly Hashem your God has dispersed you; and you will palace. He’ll take care of all the rest. Fathers are like return to Hashem your God and listen to His voice... If that sometimes. Hashem is like that always. your dispersed will be at the edges of the heaven from there Hashem, your God will gather you in and May we all be written in the Book of Life and all that is good this coming year. will take you.” Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz –Karmiel, Israel Rabbi notes that Hashem is not speaking here about merely the physical ingathering of Exiles that is a principle of Jewish faith; for if so it 09/11/5756 should say ‘from the edges of the earth’. Rather it is Every generation has their dates in history, the ones talking about the spiritual in-gathering that will that define their era and forever changed them. For happen. Those who have been pushed away from any my grandparents it was September 1rst 1939 the day piece of heaven. Our brothers... our sisters... that was invaded by the Nazis (may their name ourselves who sometimes feel we have fallen so far be blotted out) and of course May 14th 1948 when we could never get back. We too Hashem will bring us the State of Israel was declared. For my parent's 24 generation November 22 1963, the day when people. I guess I felt a little more like DL (just gave American innocence was lost, and Yom Kippur 1973 (his/her?) initials) who stated quite plainly that since when as Jews we recognized that even our most 9/11 ‘Flying really stinks...security lines and all…I sacred day would be threatened by the hatred of our dread taking vacations’. Or perhaps I felt, as Scott put enemies. For my generation though 9/11/01 will it best ‘My life really hasn't changed, nor have I done forever be etched in our minds. It was a day that was anything meaningful and lasting to change it...This predicted would change the world and certainly one fact should scare me more than a world of terrorists..’ that would and perhaps should have changed our lives. Sadly, 5 years later, I confess that I'm not sure it As I tried to remember those feelings that I had during those emotional days of reflection that Rosh has. Hashanah of 2001 I wondered what had happened to Although I don’t generally get a chance to read the those resolutions I had made. Is it really possible for newspaper (I’m more of a drive-by-media type of us to have acclimated so fast to the post 9/11 world? guy), I couldn't resist the lure of the cover article on I remember as I watched those towers falling down this week’s Seattle's Sunday newspaper titled 9/11 -5 and listening to the post flight cell phone calls, the years later; How We've Changed. For those that didn't incredible sense of appreciation for the fragility of read the article which interviewed tens of local life, for the need and desire to rededicate myself to residents asking how their lives have changed since utilizing what limited time we have in fulfilling my role that fateful day, I can tell you it was certainly in becoming a better person, father, husband, son interesting reading. There was as can be expected and perhaps most important a better Jew. Yet it didn't some of the typical Seattle’esque’ responses. Rita happen. I became acclimated. I never followed up and ‘has less faith in our government and believes they I lost that inspiration. Even worse... I forgot. were complicit’. Michelle and Michael and many others echoed similar sentiments. There is of course In this week’s Torah portion as Moshe recounts to the Nancy and Bud who go hiking every year in honour of Jewish people in his final history lesson he reminds them of their years that they were enslaved in Egypt. those who perished (?) and Dee who contributes to animal rights organizations (??) and Yoshe who For this fledgling Nation that recently descended changed her diet to a sustainable organic vegetarian from Canaan the slavery was certainly horrifying yet even more challenging for the soul of this nation was one (am I missing something?). Yet at the same time I felt greatly humbled and rather ashamed when I the rampant idolatry and immorality that were the read about how Beverly has adopted personal staples of this pagan society. Moshe reminds them of how they recoiled in horror as the precious values and soldiers who she corresponds with and sends care packages to, Renata and Joan whose prayers have ethics of their upbringing encountered the depravity become transformed as into a vehicle for of Egypt. incorporating more meaning and depth into their ‘and you saw abominations, the detestable idols, the lives as they focus on the health and safety of others wood and stone, silver and gold of the Egyptians’. even strangers more regularly. One can only imagine how long that sense of outrage Yet even that didn’t compare to how small I felt when and moral indignation lasted. I read about Elise quitting her job at Microsoft to work for a non-profit organization that works with Could even the extremes of primitive paganism have refugees, Kristin who left her Fortune 500 company eventually ceased to repulse these sensitive, elevated to go to Kabul to train people in the hospitals in souls? Absolutely, says Rabbi Aryeh Gibber my childcare and updating their facilities and David who colleague of Norfolk quoting his rebbe -can happen to switched his career to pursue a degree in conflict the best of them. He cites a startling interpretation of resolution in order to join the Peace Corps and work the Brisker Rav (Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveichik, giant to bringing about more advantages for the worlds of Jerusalem and word Jewry during the beginning

25 and middle of the 20th century) to the above- forget. It is that Divine wisdom therefore that grants mentioned verse that makes just this case. In us that one special day to be inspired again and to describing the moral decay encountered by the refocus. Annually Rosh Hashanah we can bring back Jewish nation upon their arrival in Egypt, let’s recount that feeling, and repair what we always have wanted the Torah’s choice of metaphors and examine the to do. I certainly am grateful for that opportunity. I progression (regression?) throughout the verse: ‘and want to have changed. Have you? you saw the abominations (very, very bad), the Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz –Karmiel, Israel detestable idols (very bad), the wood (not so terrible), and stones (definitely harmless), and the silver (now we’re talking!) and the gold (very, very good).’ IT'S ALL ABOUT US OK, it's the end of the Jewish year and like all major

How powerful is the human mind, mused the Brisker publications we have an end of the year poll or short R

OSH Rav; what was once shocking and abominable can quiz that we'd like to run by you. Let's see how ultimately –even quickly- become acceptable and knowledgeable you are. H desirable. Outrage so easily yields to apathy, and then ASHANAH even to intrigue. Yesterday detestable abomination is Question 1 – Name the prime minister of China? today’s harmless wood and stones and can easily Question 2 – Name the prime minister of India? become tomorrow’s sought after gold and silver. Question 3, 4, 5 – Indonesia? Brazil? Pakistan? It happened to the Jews in Egypt a few thousand years ago, and it has continued happening to us as a society So you don’t know even one? Do you know that the even until today. Quite simply, we become jaded. above countries together have almost half of the Fast. Images and ideas that once jarred and jolted us world population’s, and you can’t even name one of have become nothing more than an accepted part of the leaders? Don’t feel bad. Most people can’t. In a the cultural landscape, hardly cause for alarm. Fast recent world poll the most recognized leaders of forward ahead some twenty years, and one can only countries in the world by the average human (taken (but probably shouldn’t try to) imagine how far the from 156 countries) was of course Barak Obama, limits of decency and morality will have been followed by Putin (from Russia-shame on you, if you stretched then. didn’t know that) and then, holding the number 3 spot of leaders that people were able to identify was I am not of the ilk that claims to have knowledge of none other than Bibi Netanyahu. Now let's think why Hashem caused or allowed 9/11 to have about this for a second. Israel's ranking on world happened. I work for a non-prophet organization populations with our very proud 8 million mark is (ouch!). Yet it is certainly striking how this incredibly number 97, which make us smaller than Azerbaijan tragic and reflective anniversary will always be which most people can’t even pronounce forget commemorated prior to Rosh Hashanah. For if there about spell (9.2 million), Benin and Berundi (10.6 and is one day a year that we are meant to ask ourselves 10.1 respectively) which most people have never the question ‘How have I changed?’ that holiest of even heard of, and the Democratic Republic of Congo days certainly demands the question. Not but a year (67.5!)-which I know that you didn't know was ago many of us stood before our loving Father Democratic or a republic and pretty much thought it tearfully requesting life, peace, and blessing for the was just a convenient country on the Risk board game year. At the time it was clear all we resolved to do, if where monkeys, elephants and lions ran around. But only we were given that special gift... Did we? little Israel with our 8 million strong has a famous It is a challenging reflection. Judaism never claimed to prime minister that everybody seems to know. How's offer easy ones. Yet we are blessed with a loving bout dem falafel balls? Father who recognizes the frailties of our human temerity, our tendency to put off, acclimate and 26 But it’s not only Bibi that is famous (or infamous- Now you've all read the blogs and posts about how depending on what news source and search engine many noble prize winners were Jews, and all the great you run), Israel is one of the top ten mentioned contributions to modern society that has come out of countries in all media outlets and searches since it Israel from cell phones, antibiotics, Hi Tech and declared its independence in 1948. Africa, Asia, even Kosher Shwarma. So I won’t bore you with that. OK, South America have each had more wars in their so we impact the world inordinately and region in the past 60 years and greater amounts of disproportionately more than anyone else on the deaths and casualties, yet for some reason no one can planet. But shouldn’t that be a reason that they name what they were or who they were against. Yet should like us more? Be nice to us? Help us bring them everybody seems to know about the Six Day War, the even greater and more wonderful things? What is it Yom Kippur war and even the battles going on from with the world? What are we missing? our 7 1/2 mile wide x 25 mile wide strip known as Gaza. Can you name a 7 mile strip in Asia? There are Being Jewish and seemingly being in Israel long enough the answer of course typically is that it must ranches in Texas larger than this, yet Israel is on be us and not them. If everybody is telling you everyone's mind. something, than there must be some truth to it. They If the United Nations is any sign of what the world can’t all be wrong. We deserve it. We are responsible seems to be interested in (which is certainly for all the world's problems. They know it-although I debatable) as well, Israel ranks as the number one don’t believe they can put their finger on exactly what country with resolutions against it. Sudan, Syria, it is. But this week's Torah portion tells us that they Cuba, Iran and Afghanistan are just pillars of moral are correct. Not only are they correct now, but they righteousness, yet us little yidehelach here in the Holy have always been correct. The Egyptians, Land that are just trying to hold on to our tiny little Babylonians, Romans, Greeks, Crusader, and even country (number 153 in size ranking, smaller than todays’ Arab world all recognized that this small little Moldova and the Solomon Islands?) seem to be really piece of land is the heart of the universe and our small dangerous and full of bad people that seem to be little nation has the keys to the world's ultimate impeding the glorious world peace that awaits if we redemption. only just______-fill in the blank. What is it about us ‘And the final generation will say-your children who that just seems to garner so much attention? will arise after you, and the gentile who will come I’ll be honest, I don’t care much about tiny little from distant lands…’ countries and tribes in Africa, Asia, or South America. In all honesty I really don’t care much about, Idaho, ‘And all the nations will say- For what reason has Hashem done this to the land, what is all this wrath? Wyoming or Oaklahoma or even Tennessee. They’re really not too important to me and seemingly to the And they will say because they forsook the covenant world either. I, like most of the people I know on this of Hashem the God of their forefathers….’ planet, care about things that are relevant to my life For me these verses are perhaps one of the most and that might impact me in some way or another. If remarkable statements of the Torah. Would any man I ain’t going there and they ain’t coming here then I've ever be able to write and predict that in the future- got a lot better things to spend time following. I do the final generation- three and a half thousand years however care about Israel because I'm Jewish, later, the world which is a pretty big and busy place because I believe it’s holy, because it's my small little would all be interested in what is going on in our tiny few thousand miles in the billions of miles in the little country; that they would be creating world that was promised to us. But why should commissions to try to understand what is happening anyone else care? What is the world's obsession with in our little corner of the world. Who would've even us? thought that we would still be around? But yet we are

27 and all that was predicted has occurred and continues few years. The ‘secular Zionist Jew’ was the new Jew, to occur throughout the millennia. the Jew of the future. Except he wasn't. In the past elections if all of the religious parties would have The Torah than continues with the ultimate prophesy, been able to vote together, there would have been a after describing the incredibly accurate description of majority of religious Jews in Knesset and possibly our exile, whether by boats, the attempted genocides even a prime minister of Israel. and overwhelming desolation of the land in our Wouldn't you love to see the look on BG's face. We absence. haven't done it yet, though. But we are so very close. ‘Then you will return it to your hearts, amongst all the The nations of the world know it. Hashem knows it. nations where you have been cast off by Hashem your The -that Divine accuser and tester whose job it is to try to subvert us and challenge us in

God, And you will return to Hashem your God and you R will listen to His voice, according to everything that I accomplishing our message knows it as well. It seems OSH command you today…..than Hashem will return your that the only ones that haven't totally grasped it yet

H captivity and have mercy upon you and he will gather are us. ASHANAH you from all the nations where he scattered you… and We are still waiting for the Bobs, Larrys, Samanthas Hashem will bring you to the land which your and Dianas out there who have yet to have been forefathers inherited it and you will possess it’. introduced to their heritage and been invited to re- It is an amazing thing to live in a world where connect to their roots. The Yankels, Shloimy's Berel's thousands of years of prophecy are right and Chaim's who don't yet appreciate that all our before our very eyes. The nations of the world are all infighting, Lashon Harah and baseless hatred is ‘United’ in keeping their eye on the ball. If the world holding back that day from coming. The Yarons, Ittais, has not reached its ultimate fulfilment yet, the Torah and Noams that know how important serving in the is telling us it is because we haven't finished all army is to protect our nation just need to value as returning to Hashem. much the how essential our Torah learning and fulfilment of mitzvot are in us achieving that We're getting there. We're very close, closer than miraculous ultimate peace and victory that we have perhaps we ever were in the history of the world. been longing for. There are still Jews from all over the Jews are coming home, Our brothers and sisters that world who have not yet realized that it is time to were assimilating and throwing off the covenant are come home, that the land is waiting for them. That coming back in masses. It is another fulfilment of Eretz Yisrael is holy and that their ultimate fulfilment prophecy. 60-70 years ago many of the break-off of mitzvot, their ultimate learning or Torah can only denominations of traditional Torah observant Jewry take place in the land Hashem created and endowed predicted the demise of Orthodoxy. No one would with that special kedusha. They have yet to recognize keep the mitzvos in the ‘new world’. ‘This is America, how much of an impact and how dramatic of a change get real’ Judaism has to change with the times. They that they could bring to this country if they would forgot the eternal covenant of this week’s portion. In only come home. Sefardi, Ashkenazi, Americans, the beginning of the establishment of the State of Israelis, English, young and old, we are such a small Israel, it is well known (and in most recent times the people with such a big role and we are all the children source of much controversy) that Ben Gurion offered of Hashem that everyone in the world looks at with the exemptions to students from serving in the same eyes of expectations. When already? Is it the army and most of his financial government almost here? What are you or aren't you doing to benefits for the study of Torah (inadvertently and bring that day closer. quite meritoriously making the modern State of Israel the largest benefactor of Torah in the history of the We read this Torah portion each year as the last world), only because he was quite certain that it was reading of the year. More significantly we read it as a dying breed. There would be no observant Jews in a the final Torah portion before we come into Rosh 28 Hashanah. On Rosh Hashanah which we know is our more ‘street –like’. Some seemed were more put day of judgment for the year. Whether we will live or together women and some who seemed like they die, be healthy or sick, share in simchas or god forbid could use a hand-out. Yet the diversity of the women tragedies. Whether we will have money to pay our was not what caught my eye, rather it what each of bills, some extra to help others or will we be on the them was doing that seemed very bizarre. For each other side of the door with our hand outstretched. It one of them was standing next to their own tree, with is a serious day, if not the most serious. Yet none of their eyes closed in some type of meditation and our prayers, revolve around our individual needs. The hugging the tree for dear life. Now I come from focus of our Rosh Hashanah prayers is only one thing; Seattle and New York and have certainly seen quite a Hashem's kingdom on this world. The ultimate few strange people and things in my life. But the redemption. Our prayers on Rosh Hashanah are for range and the diversity of these women coupled with the entire world. We are their representatives. We what seemed like either some biblical styled tree are the only ones that will be praying on that day. It's worship or some type of science fiction mind the day that we finally get what we have forgotten morphing alien abduction definitely took the cake. and perhaps even buried for so long. The shofar will stir our souls and we will be back again on Sinai when I approached one of them and asked what was going on and was shhhh’ed away back to my corner. All of a it all started and we heard that first ancient Shofar blast. It all becomes clear. The nations will rejoice. We sudden a woman who seemed to be leading this will finally merit. May the upcoming year 5774 years group shouted out some type of command that unfortunately I did not understand and could not from creation be the last year that we count from creation, as the new year will bring with it a new era make out. But within a second I was shaken to my of peace, blessing as time will start anew with the core when each woman let out a deep guttural scream, almost tarzan-like on the tops of their lungs coming of Mashiach. for a full 30 second or so. Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel AAAAAAiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!! OYYYYYYYYYYYY!

It was suddenly very quiet again. Each woman went UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL back to her silent intense tree-hugging meditation I almost missed it. The road between Tzefat and and then once again three minutes later with even Meron is quite curvy and as I was coming across the more intensity. bend by the Birya forest, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw something that looked strange. I AAAAAAAiiiiii!!!!!! OYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! stepped on my brakes hurriedly, very carefully made a U-Turn and sure enough my eyes did not deceive This continued one more time and then they all me. There they were. What they were doing there… I smiled at each other hugged and embraced and made wasn’t sure. But this is the mystical mountains of their way back to their bus that was parked there. Israel and I knew that there most certainly was going I couldn’t restrain myself anymore. I walked over to to be a good story or at least a worthwhile E-Mail that the ‘leader’ and asked her what this was all about. as your ‘man on the ground’ I was obligated to Was this some environmentalist thing, some far out investigate. eastern religion, or maybe some type of candid So I got out of my car and slowly and quietly made my camera thing that my reaction was being filmed for? way over to this strange sight on the side of the road. She smiled at me and explained. They were a very mixed crowd of about 20 women. “Actually”- she said “this is a very Jewish thing. You There were older and younger women. Some were see these women have all suffered some type of obviously very religious with head coverings and wigs. tragedy. Some have lost their children, others are Others were younger with rings and piercings dressed from abusive relationships and others have sunk to 29 the bottom and are in so much pain they could barely within you. That is what the source of your pain is. pick themselves up. We are a support group for these That is the root which will fester and grow and it, and women and we have found that one of the most it is from there that all sadness, sorrow and sin result. effective means of helping them is by utilizing the I walked away from the bus somberly. It was not them great wisdom and insight of Rebbe Nachman of who were taken over by aliens rather it was me. Alien Breslav”. thoughts, foreign reliance’s, a forgetfulness of the Rebbe Nachman advises that when one is so essence of who I truly am and the world I truly exist overcome and overwhelmed and feels that he or she in, but fail to see and appreciate. But most of all the has nowhere to turn; they should go out to the forest, powerful love and caring that my Father has for me. a place of quiet, solitude…of holiness. There in the forest one should feel the life force that flows from This week each of us will stand by ourselves before R Hashem. ‘Like a sheep passing underneath the rod- OSH the heavens, the earth and the trees. One should Hashem counts and brings us close to Him as he contemplate how each leaf and each branch rises up H and is cared for and loved by the Master of this Divine decrees the upcoming year’s outcome for us. Our ASHANAH prayers for the New Year should not only be for universe. And then one should pour out all of their pain and woe to our Father who has never left our ourselves, but for all of Klal Yisrael, for Eretz Yisrael, side and who sits and joins us in our sorrow or loss for Jews that are in pain and for all those that need relief, comfort, redemption and salvation. But our and our hurt. That knowledge and personal connection is the essence of their relief. Hashem is prayers should not be like those of the past. They not just a concept and ideology or a global should not just be read as an organized book of prayers and rituals. Rather they should be manipulator. He is a personal God who is there to hold our hand and bring us up and closer to His conversations of the most personal and deepest nature to our Father who is yearning for us to be close presence. to Him. Who stands with His pen poised to give us all The great 18th century Chasidic Rebbe, Reb Yackov that we need and could possibly hope for if we only Yitzchak of Peshischa, known as the Yid Ha’Kadosh in were able to really deeply tell Him how badly we want this week’s Torah portion shares with us this very it, how much we need it. How real He is us to us and powerful idea. We learn how Moshe in his final how much we need this year to be better and speech to the Jewish people warns them to heed our different. special covenant that is being made with each individual. Closer…Home…Peace…Return… Written by Rabbi Ephraim Scwhartz – Karmiel, Israel ‘ Your leaders, tribes, elders, officers, each man, infant, woman, convert in your camp from the wood chopper to the water carrier… those who are standing BREAKING OUT OF OUR SLUMBER here today and those that are not here with us ‘It’s almost a year since last Rosh Hashanah. I can’t today…’ believe it, a year already went by!’ This is what comes Perhaps there is amongst you a man, woman, tribe, to many of our minds when we hear the chazan family or tribe whose heart is turned away from announce the upcoming month of Elul, reminding us Hashem our God… ‘Pen Yeish Bachem- perhaps there that the High Holidays are approaching. We receive is within you a root that bears poison and another reminder when we start , and finally bitterness…’ we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, this time it’s real. The Yid Hakodosh reads the verse, that the root that bears the poison and the bitterness is actually the During the month of Elul and the 10 days of ‘perhaps’ itself. Pen -Yaish Bachem- There is doubt repentance we start thinking more seriously about

30 self-improvement and my even attend some inspiring should start making other improvements in our shiurim about teshuva. Finally it’s Yom Kippur! During avodas Hashem. the ten times that we recite the confession, we manage to review the past year, regret our misdeeds Another important message that can be learned from this halacha is that when a person decides to improve and make some resolutions for the forthcoming year. After the Yom Kippur break-fast meal our minds our himself, he should start with something small and now focused on the yom tov preparations of building easy, as illustrated by the following story. the Succah, finding a lulav and etc. By the time When Rav Shlomo Lorentz was recovering from a Succot ends, the memories of Yom Kippur start fading heart attack, he was visited by Rav Shach. Rav Lorentz and eventually it becomes something of the past. As asked him, ‘After Hashem’s kindness towards me in the new year starts progressing, we slowly start delivering me from danger, what can I accept upon falling back to our old habits. The Rabbis of the myself for self-improvement?’ mussar movement (Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that developed in the 19th Rav Shach replied, ‘Accept upon yourself something century in Eastern Europe) this regression as easy, because if you try something difficult you may ‘tardeimas ha’chayim vehahergal’ – slumber of life not be able to keep it. He then gave me some and daily routine. suggestions. ‘ (In his later years, Rav Shach, referring to Sefer Hachinuch Mitzva #430, would constantly Suddenly, it’s Elul again, and we find advocate to recite at least the first bracha of benching ourselves back to square one. For some, this becomes from a bencher.) a yearly repetitious cycle causing much frustration and loss of motivation. Rav Lorentz then asked, ‘What about working on midos (personality traits)?’ The question is: ‘How can we break this annual cycle and make a difference this year?’ Rav Shach answered ‘Midos? There is nothing more difficult than to change one’s midos. I suggest that A Small Change Makes a BIG Difference you shouldn’t make any resolutions regarding midos The (Code of Jewish Law) writes that development because you won’t be able to keep during the 10 days of repentance, one should accept them, since changing one mida is more difficult than upon himself not to eat bread baked by a non-Jew, learning a complete tractate of the Talmud. However, even though it is permissible to eat bread baked by a without accepting upon yourself anything specific, non-Jewish bakery. your resolution should be that you should improve yourself in the midos that you feel need improvement On the surface, this halacha seems difficult to and progress slowly.’ (Be’mechitzasam, pp 296-7) understand because what does it help to make a temporary change, if, after Yom Kippur, one will Some Resolution Guidelines continue to eat this bread? Additionally, if a person is 1) Make Realistic Resolutions already making a change, then why focus only this, a Since changing habits is a gradual process, we must seemingly minor stringency? The Shulchan Aruch be cautious not to accept upon ourselves anything should write about increasing one’s or that may be more than we can handle. Taking on too concentration in prayer, or some mitzvot between much is counterproductive, causing frustration and man and man. resulting in discontinuing implementing the However, there is a deeper meaning to this halacha resolution. For example, let’s say a person decides to work on improving his concentration in prayer. If he than just keeping this stringency per sé. The purpose of observing this seemingly minor stringency is to begins by trying to have concentration in large start to make a small change in our daily lives in order portions of Shacharit, he will immediately encounter much difficulty and begin to think that concentration to remind us that Yom Kippur is approaching, and we

31 in prayer is beyond his reach. This will result in a then you must make it up by having concentration in feeling of despair and possibly abandoning carrying an additional blessing or prayer. Similarly, if you out his resolution. Therefore, we must be honest with forgot to do chesed on a particular day, you must do ourselves about our individual capabilities. Similarly, an additional chesed the following day; or if you one should be realistic with his learning goals. Don’t missed your additional learning commitment, you take on too much at a time, because it usually results must somehow find the time to make it up. This will in not being able to fulfil the commitment, and will ensure continuity of the resolutions. only result in despair and discouragement for making 4) Progress Slowly any future resolutions. Rav Wolbe writes that repentance is a gradual 2) Begin With Something Easy process, (Alei Shur Vol. 2 p. 438).Therefore, it is

Using the example of improving concentration in extremely vital not to progress too quickly. Failure to R prayer, we should initially focus on small segments, do so can result in becoming stressed out and giving OSH

giving preference to the parts of prayer where up the resolution. We must realize that we are not H concentration is required. These are the verse of meant to become completely righteous overnight. ASHANAH ‘Potayach es yadecha etc.’, in Ashrei, the first verse of We can compare working on our midos to trekking up the Shema and the first blessing of the Amida (Avos). a 20-story building. Walking non-stop will cause

During the day, one or two additional blessings muscle strain. On the other hand, if we stop in the should also be added, such as: one , a middle, we may decide to give up. The way to succeed blessing on food and the first blessing of Birkat is to ascend in a slow and steady pace. The same goes Hamazon (grace after meals). for repentance. Changing habits is a difficult task, as Rav Yisroel Salanter said, ‘Changing ones personality The same method applies for doing chesed (acts of traits is more difficult than completing the entire kindness) or giving tzedaka (charity). Giving large Talmud.’ Since completing the Talmud takes seven amounts of tzedaka or doing too much chesed may years in a (one page per day) cycle, we be too overwhelming and stressful. Doing small daily should not be surprised if it takes this long to make a acts of chesed or tzedaka will be more effective in permanent change in our midos. making lasting changes in how we fulfill these mitzvot. Likewise, if a person wants to work on lashon Therefore, when working on a particular area of , he should start with a small time slot in the day improvement, we should not progress until we are when he’ll think twice before speaking about another able to fulfil our present resolution without feeling person. strain. For example, when working on prayer, one should not advance in increasing his concentration Similarly, if one encounters difficulty in setting aside until he is able to concentrate in what he is already extra time for learning, he should start by a making a saying. small set time in an easy time slot. Once he makes a start, it will be easier to increase the learning times. 5) Avoid No-Win Situations And if one wants to make extra learning goals, start Since our objective is to avoid obstacles that will with something small, such as, starting an already interfere with the continuity of working on our scheduled learning commitment a few minutes resolutions, we should avoid situations that will cause earlier. us difficulty in succeeding. The Sefer Lekach Tov terms this concept ‘Avoiding confrontation with your

3) Be Consistent emotions’ (Yamin Nora’im Vol. 2 pp 88-9). For The key to success is being consistent in your example, if you are working on controlling anger, you commitment to keep the resolutions. If you skipped a may find it extremely difficult to remain calm in a day, you must somehow make it up. For example, if stressful environment. The resolution must be to you forgot to have concentration in one of the avoid creating those environments and last minute blessings or parts of the prayer of your resolution, 32 rushes. Similarly, if you are about to bench but are disturbed about something, your concentration will be hindered. Instead of trying to struggle with having concentration while benching, you should take a few moments before benching to try to calm down and unwind from what’s disturbing you. Once a person starts ‘the ball rolling’ with small improvements, he will build up his confidence that he can improve, and get the guidance to continue to reach his goals of permanent changes.

This article is dedicated to the memory of my parents א"מ ר' ירחמיאל ישראל נתנאל ב"ר משה דוב ז"ל נפ' י"ב אדר תשנ"ד א"מ מרת לאה גיטל בת ר' נחמן צבי ע"ה נפ' ערב פסח תשע"ב בשנת ק"א לחייה ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.

Written by Rabbi Chaim Morgenstern. Reprinted with permission from the booklet ‘Acquiring a Meaningful Yamim Norayim’.

33 YOM KIPPUR

SERMON DELIVERED BY DAYAN There are lots of individuals who are doing a great job. But this isn’t something we can do alone. We are BINSTOCK BEFORE YIZKOR ON YOM encouraging all synagogues, youth movements, KIPPUR, ST JOHN’S WOOD 5774 schools and communal organisations to get involved Exactly one week ago, the yahrzeit took place of a by becoming Dementia Friends and champions and person who was a great influence on my life, the late by turning knowledge into action. Dayan Isidor Grunfeld. As part of the campaign, Jewish Care are organising a Although the Dayan was a serious scholar and a world series of dementia friend’s information sessions for expert in the writings of Samson Raphael Hirsch, he the community. The sessions aim to increase was not without his lighter side. knowledge and understanding of dementia and help people consider the small actions that they can take I recall the occasion that he recounted to me the in their day to day lives that will make a difference for events of the Bar Mitzvah of his son, Shemaya (who is people living with dementia. now a prominent member of our community.) I hope that members of our synagogue will play an The Bar Mitzvah took place in the Finsbury Park active role in these sessions in maximising what can Synagogue, a building that is much smaller than this be done for this increasing group of sufferers in our one. As you can imagine many guests descended on community. the shul for the simcha. By 10.00 am, the building was completely full – not a single empty seat. At a few These facts of life which many of us are encountering minutes after ten, the synagogue door opens, and a increasingly in the circle of our friends and families gentleman enters. He looks around at the packed should sensitize us to a key message of the deeper congregation and exclaims in a voice that could be meaning of Yom Kippur heard across the shul: When we look back at the rich collection of anecdotes ‘Cor Blimey, I didn’t know it was Yom Kippur today!’ from the people of Chelm, we realize, in retrospect that issues of dementia were not unfamiliar to them. Forgetting what day it is, forgetting that even today is Yom Kippur is a challenge that is being faced by an Like the story of Yankel who was concerned that if he increasing number of people in the community. went into the shvitz, the Turkish Bath without his clothes on, he would forget who he was, so he As, Thank God, we live longer, a greater proportion of decided that he would tie a red thread round the big the community is suffering from senile dementia or toe of his right foot, to remind himself who he was. Alzheimer’s. The trouble was, the shvitz was crowded that day and in the jostling, the thread came of Yankel’s toe and Jewish Care recently launched a campaign of found its way onto someone else’s toe. dementia awareness to increase understanding of dementia; to ensure we support people living with With a puzzled expression, Yankel looked at his dementia and their carers to have meaningful lives. neighbour with the red thread and said: ‘I know who (http://jewishcareblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/j you are, but who am I?’ ewish-care-launches-community-dementia- awareness-campaign/) Memory is one of our greatest gifts and blessings. We wake up each morning not needing to begin anew; we 34 can continue living and building upon that which we practices and values. We remember all of the dark achieved yesterday. Our knowledge and experience periods of Jewish life over our long exile - the accumulates and builds upon the past. We learn from persecutions and forced conversions, the auto-de-fes our mistakes and grow through them. and the crypto-Jews forced to practice their faith hiding in dark and dank cellars. But above all, we want to remember who we are and why we are here on earth. In the Silent Amida prayer, we say zochreinu l’chaim, ‘Remember us for life, King who desires life’ This, my friends, is the essence of Yom Kippur. To remember who you truly are. Towards end of Musaf – in the prayer aileh ezkara v’nafshi shpcha, ‘these I recall and my soul overflows You may be wondering, how can we forget who we with sorrow’ we read of the of Israel in are? Well, the fact is that due to our immersion in Roman times. and his companions are ‘life’ – in the daily grind of our material existence – we described to us in detail, as is their manner of cruel often forget, or perhaps never knew in the first place, execution and martyrdom. who we truly are. The bulk of the Musaf service itself is called the Seder John Lennon put it this way: ‘Life is what happens to Avoda, and it is devoted to remembering the order of you while you’re busy making other plans.’ the Yom Kippur service in the Holy Temple, To demonstrate this: When someone asks you who remembering how the High Priest would walk into the you are, do you give them your business card? Well, Holy Holies. that’s what many people do. But you know And, of course, there is Yizkor, the prayer for something: Your business card tells people what you remembering our loved ones who have passed away. do, not who you are. What is this mysterious-yet-powerful thing called Never confuse the two. Mahatma Gandhi said: Memory and why is it such a focus of the holiest day “Your actions become your habits, of the year, Yom Kippur?

Your habits become your values, The need to remember is a vital part of Jewish life.

Your values become your destiny.” As the historian Prof Yosef Yerushalmi points out in his book, Zachor, ‘only in Israel and nowhere else is So be careful that your business card, what you do, the injunction to remember felt as a religious does not define who you become. And what you imperative to an entire people.’ (1) become does not define who you are... Thousands of years before Karl Gustav Jung Knowing – remembering – who you are, your true propounded his theories of a collective memory (or identity, is far more difficult than it sounds. unconscious) the Jewish people spoke of a collective memory as we recalled the key defining events in our And Yom Kippur is the one day of the year when we history such as the Exodus from Egypt or the are reminded. Just look – the prayer book is saturated Receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. with memory: The late Rav Joseph Ber Soloveitchik defined the We began last night with Kol Nidre, which evokes for Jewish approach to memory as not merely an historic us the memory of the converso Jews of the Spanish recollection of events passed but an experiential and Portuguese Inquisition and expulsion. In the Kol memory where we relive or re-experience the dramas Nidrei prayer we state that we are permitted to pray that occurred. As we say in the Haggada ‘In every together with all of those Jews who have generation every person should regard it as if he transgressed and even fallen away from Judaism's came out of Egypt.’ 35 The story is told of Napoleon Bonaparte who once mission – to bring light into this world, to spread was passing a synagogue and heard what he thought kindness and virtue through my Torah and good was the sound of crying. He went in to investigate and deeds, to refine and transform my corner of the world found people sitting on the floor, praying and crying into a Divine home. mournfully. Napoleon inquired as to what tragedy had occurred. When he was told that it was Tisha B’ Sometimes I visit elderly members of our community and the Jews were mourning the loss of their Temple and I am astounded at their remarkable memory of he asked how recently this had occurred. On being events past. told that it was more than 1700 years previously Yet there others occasions when I visit people where Napoleon exclaimed Napoleon said that if indeed this the memory has gone and they can hardly recall what people is mourning their Temple after 1700 years, happened a half-an-hour ago. such a people so attached to their history, will indeed be restored to their land and their Temple rebuilt. All of us in shul today are blessed with our memories intact. We know that it is Yom Kippur today. Let that Five and a half years ago, my mother passed away. awareness challenge us to rise to our mission. We During the week of I came to shul and I didn’t sit know not for how long we will enjoy these blessings. in my normal seat. By Divine Providence, the shul had Let us resolve, today, to use these blessings to the full. a visiting scholar-in-residence that Shabbat, Rabbi Dr Ivan Lerner, and he gave a sermon that Shabbat that was a great source of encouragement to and I’m sure Y

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When? What? Why? IPPUR He referred to his colleague, Rabbi Dr Abraham Twerski whose mother had been seriously ill in When is Yom Kippur?

hospital. Her sons would take it turns flying in from Following the sin of the Golden Calf, Moses pleaded different parts of the world to be with their mother with God to forgive the people. Finally on the 10th of for a Shabbat, make Kiddush, say the prayers, to talk Tishrei, Moses came down from the mountain with to her and to sing to her. good news for the people: The reunification was One morning a nurse approached him and said, complete, and the relationship restored, atonement “Rabbi, you really need not bother to make this long was achieved. Moses brought the second set of trip each morning. Unfortunately, she does not Tablets down from Mount Sinai. recognize you any longer.” Thereafter, the 10th of Tishrei was designated as a "You are right," Rabbi Twersky replied. "But I still day of forgiveness for all future generations: Yom recognize her." Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Yom Kippur reminds us that even when a part of us The Yom Kippur fast begins before sundown, and experiences amnesia, even if you have gotten lost in extends 25 hours until the following nightfall. all the activities we do, on this day we remember who What is Yom Kippur, what do we do on this day we are. and Why? Too often, the things we do in life replace our true Yom Kippur is a day designed to bring Jews closer to identities. Yom Kippur is the day when we set the Hashem and encourages return to him through the record straight. We declare and testify to our true process of Teshuvah. Though the Yom Kippur service identities: was, during the times of the Temple, focused around the Gadol, High Priest, today each individual I am a Jew, a member of a nation that has been here focuses on himself and his personal Avodah, service for thousands of years, with a very clear and distinct to Hashem. 36 As a day of prayer and repentance Yom Kippur has Traditionally, ‘all who eat on the ninth are considered numerous prayers associated with it. Most revolve to have fasted on the ninth AND the tenth.’ It is thus around the central theme of repentance and return. a mitzvah to eat and drink on Erev Yom Kippur. This both gives us strength for the fast and substitutes for Teshuva involves four steps: the usual Yom Tov meals, which cannot be eaten on Regret – acknowledging that a mistake was made, Yom Kippur because of the fast. and feeling regret at having squandered some of our It is customary to give increased charity on Erev Yom potential. Kippur as charity helps to repeal any evil decrees. Cessation – Talk is cheap, but stopping the harmful Though the combination of teshuva and Yom Kippur action shows a true commitment to change. atones for transgressions against Hashem, it does not Confession – To make it more ‘real,’ we admit our automatically erase wrongs committed against other people. It is therefore the universal Jewish custom – mistake verbally, and ask forgiveness from anyone we some time before Yom Kippur – to apologize and seek may have harmed. forgiveness from any friend, relative, or acquaintance that we may have harmed, insulted, spoken ill of or Resolution – We make a firm commitment not to wronged in any way over the past year. Sins repeat the harmful action in the future. committed against another person cannot be atoned for until one has first sought his/her forgiveness For The laws for Yom Kippur include all of the work example, any stolen objects must be returned to their restrictions of Shabbat. rightful owners. Any person you have spoken Lashon Hara, gossip, about, should be asked for their There are five areas of physical involvement from forgiveness. which we refrain on Yom Kippur: It is a mitzvah to immerse oneself in a mikvah (ritual 1. Eating and drinking bath) on Erev Yom Kippur. This symbolizes a person’s 2. Washing rebirth associated with doing teshuva. Men have this 3. Applying oils or lotions to the skin custom universally, and women have different 4. Marital relations customs concerning mikvah on Erev Yom Kippur. 5. Wearing leather shoes Kaparot - An ancient and mystical custom designed to The most famous restriction of Yom Kippur is, of imbue people with a feeling that their very lives are course, fasting. The intention of fasting is not to at stake as the holy Yom Kippur approaches. The torture ourselves or to punish ourselves for the sins kaparot ceremony symbolizes our sins crying out for we have done. Rather, fasting helps us to transcend atonement, and as a reminder that our good deeds, our physical natures. Praying without concern for charity and repentance can save us from the penalty food allows us to completely focus on the prayers. All our many sins deserve. five enuim physical discomforts, have the purpose of focusing a person on the task at hand for Yom Kippur. In its original form, a chicken (a white rooster for a The Kuzari, Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi, points out that, ‘the male, hen for a female) was taken and waved over fast of the pious man is such that eye, ear and tongue one’s head while reciting prescribed verses which can share in it, that he regards nothing except that which be found in the Yom Kippur machzor. It was brings him near to Hashem.’ customary to then redeem the kaparot for money, which was given to charity. Whilst it is still possible to Erev Yom Kippur find this practice in many communities, today though, The day before Yom Kippur is considered to be a most communities prefer to place the chosen sum of quasi-festival day. money in a white cloth napkin and give it to charity following the ceremony.

37 Viduy, confession, is recited at mincha, the afternoon approach seems to be that Kol Nidre, in actuality, service, during the silent Amidah. In case a person emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s word should suddenly die during his pre-Yom Kippur meal, and reaffirms our belief of honouring our he will have least said one viduy. commitments. How appropriate, as we enter a day when we will be saying over and over how we plan to The meal before the fast: After mincha the Seuda change and do teshuvah. Hamafseket, the concluding meal, is eaten. It is customary to finish this meal at least half an hour The Shema before sunset so that one has enough time for an During the Shema on Yom Kippur, the second line, unhurried, heartfelt recitation of the Grace after Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto LeOlam V’aed, ‘Blessed Meals and for the timely arrival to the shul for Kol is the Name of His Glorious Kingdom for all eternity’ Nidre which is also recited before sunset. is read aloud. Moses originally heard this line from It is customary to wear white on Yom Kippur. This is the angels when he was on Mount Sinai receiving the symbolic of the angels and of spiritual purity. Many Torah from Hashem. Though normally said quietly, on married men wear a kitel, which is also worn upon Yom Kippur it is said out loud. Normally, we dare not burial (and by many men at their wedding) as a utter angelic phrases loudly, but on Yom Kippur, it is reminder of the day of death and repentance. as if we are spiritually raised to the level of angels and we say the verse out loud. It is customary to light yahrzeit, memorial candles in one’s home for Yom Kippur. Viduy Y

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When the festival candles are lit, two blessings are Confession is an essential part of repentance. K

IPPUR recited, one for Yom Kippur and one Shechiyanu. Repentance cannot be just a fleeting thought like other thoughts that come and go in a person’s mind.

Before entering the shul it is customary for fathers to By confessing one’s sins out loud, it becomes bless their children. Although there is no required something much more real. A person must come to formula for this blessing, there is a standardised the complete understanding that the sins he blessing which could be found in the Yom Kippur committed are wrong and cannot be rationalized machzor. away.

THE PRAYERS OF YOM KIPPUR The two forms of confession, Al chet and Ashamnu, Kol Nidre alphabetically list all types of sins. The Al chet, prayer lists many sins or categories of sins that are On the eve of Yom Kippur while there is still daylight, commonly committed. Sins are expressed in the Jews congregate all across the globe wearing white. plural not only to save individuals from Though not usually worn at night - the (prayer embarrassment but so that the congregation as a shawl) is worn for Kol Nidre, is kept on for the entire whole might attain true atonement. One cannot evening service, and is left unfolded at the synagogue confess only for oneself, rather one has to beg to be adorned again the next morning. forgiveness for all Jews who sin. As the 16thCentury Kol Nidre is chanted with a sense of emotional Kabbalist, Rav Issac Luria, wrote that confession is anticipation and a centuries-old feverishly moving written in the plural, ‘We have sinned’ because all melody. Israel is considered like one body and every person is a limb of that body. So naturally we confess to all the Dating back until at least the ninth century, Kol Nidre, sins of all the parts of our body. at first glance, seems to have nothing at all to do with Yom Kippur. Indeed, it appears to attempt to release If you read the Al chet carefully, you will see that the one from keeping his oaths and vows. Many list of sins is not a list of the Mitzvot. Rather, it is a list commentators address this issue and their main of categories of sins that are the most common. Many 38 relate to our misuse of speech and having the wrong The Temple service on Yom Kippur type of thoughts or attitude. Some have to do with ‘And the Kohanim and the people more concrete mitzvot like Shabbat or . All relate to us in one way or another. Of course, one standing in the Courtyard – when they should not feel limited to confess only the list of sins would hear the glorious, awesome Name, printed in the , one should mention in the viduy the Ineffable one, emanating from the any specific sins which he or she may have committed. Kohen Gadol’s mouth, in holiness and purity, they would kneel and prostrate It is customary to gently beat one’s chest during the themselves, give thanks and say, ‘Blessed viduy, as if to say that your heart may have led you astray in the past but hopefully, this will not happen is the Name of His glorious kingdom for in the future. all eternity.’ In the middle of the Mussaf service, we recite the Avinu Malkeinu Kohen Gadol’s (High Priest’s) Seder Avodah, order of The Talmud in tractate Taanis tells the story of when service. This recalls in a somewhat detailed fashion, there was a very bad drought in Eretz Yisrael , the land the service as performed by the Kohen Gadol in the of Israel. Public fasts were proclaimed and special Holy Temple during the day of Yom Kippur. The Kohen prayers were said. The great Torah Scholar Rabbi Gadol’s service was both physically and mentally Eliezer was called upon to lead the prayers with the exhausting as it required both physical dexterity saying of the 24 blessing Amidah, which is said at (while fasting and having no sleep) and total mental times of severe drought. Yet, no rain fell. His disciple, concentration. The eyes of all Israel were raised Rabbi Akiva came to the front and said a special towards the Kohen Gadol’s order of service, which prayer in which each verse began with the words, began toward the break of dawn. On his success, the Avinu Malkeinu, Our Father, Our King. Rain fell. atonement of all Israel was dependent.

The prayer became a regular part of the prayer When the Kohen Gadol’s service was performed services during a time of fasting or tragedy. Today, it properly, Israel’s total forgiveness was made manifest is said on fast days and during the ten days of for all eyes to see. The Kohen Gadol tied a cord of red repentance. On Yom Kippur, during Neilah, the word painted wool between the horns of the scapegoat. ketiva, inscribed is replaced by chatima, sealed, Another such cord had been tied by him around the because in the Neilah prayer Hashem seals our fate neck of the goat reserved for the sin-offering, so that for the coming year. it might not be commingled with the other goats held for the remaining offering of the day. The cord used Torah readings for the scapegoat was later divided in two. One The most recognised reading on Yom Kippur is the remaining between the scapegoat’s horns, and the Haftorah read during mincha. We read the book of other half hung upon the opening of the hallway Jonah. The biblical story of a prophet who tried to leading to the Sanctuary, so that all might see it. ‘flee from Hashem’ and wound up swallowed into the belly of a huge fish. The message of Jonah is actually In years when the avodah was accepted by Hashem a timeless lesson in the power of teshuva and and atonement was granted to Israel, both parts of Hashem’s desire to help man rather than punish him. the cord turned white like snow, in accord with the verse, ‘If your sins should be like red thread, they will turn like snow. (Isaiah Chapter 1) Thereupon all eyes saw Hashem’s forgiveness and the hearts of the people rejoiced.

39 Today, 3 times during the Seder Avodah we say the The Aron HaKodesh (Holy Ark) is kept open for the phrase ‘and we kneel and bow down’, at these points entire service. Those able to stand up for the entire both the cantor and the congregation prostrate time, do so. ourselves on the ground as they did in the days of the Selichot (prayers of repentance) are recited and Avinu temple. The paper towels handed out involve a halachic issue of keeping a separation between you Malkenu (Our Father Our King) is said even when Yom and the ground. We try to relive and experience, as Kippur falls on a Shabbat. much as possible, the feelings of inspiration and And, at the end of Neilah, with the closing of the closeness to Hashem that existed in the Temple. Gates of Prayer as Yom Kippur draws to a close, the On the holiest day of the year, in the holiest place on Service rises to a crescendo: earth, the holiest man on the planet uttered the We declare in unison, ’Hear O Israel, the Lord is our holiest word in the Universe….. Such was the task of God; the Lord is One!’ the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. Then three times, ’Blessed is the Name of His Neilah Glorious Kingdom for all Eternity!’

On weekdays we pray three times a day. On Shabbat And finally, seven times, ’The Lord is God!’ and Holidays, including Rosh Hashanah a fourth service is added (Mussaf) in memory of the additional We acknowledge the departure of the ‘Shekhina,’ the

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sacrifices given on these days in the Temple in Divine Presence, with a ’Tekiah Gedolah!’ a Great OM Jerusalem. ‘Tekiah,’ a great and mighty long straight blast of the

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Shofar and the services concludes with the IPPUR On Yom Kippur, yet a fifth service (the only day of the exclamations of - Hear Oh Israel and - year with 5) is added. The extra service unique to Yom LeShana Haba BiYerushalayim Next Year In Kippur is called Neilah. Jerusalem...

Neilah is said after Mincha as the sun is going down At this time, there is no room for sighing or wailing. and literally means closing (or locking) and refers to We have hopefully been forgiven, and our sins have either the closing of the gates of the Holy Temple at been atoned for. We look forward to our the end of the day or to the closing of the gates of Redemption; May it come in the blink of an eye! prayer as Yom Kippur is ending. Written/compiled by: Rabbi Ari Shainfeld The Neilah service contains stirring pleas that our prayers be accepted by Hashem before Yom Kippur ends. The heavenly judgment inscribed on Rosh THE MEANING OF YOM KIPPUR Hashanah is now sealed during Neilah. The chazan Recalculating chants the service in a special melody designed to stir the emotions and bring the congregation to greater In the pre-Internet, antediluvian days of finding devotion. driving directions for a family vacation, you had to call AA and order something called a TripTik. TripTiks There are a number of customs that have become were these spiral-bound booklets that provided a well accepted in connection with Neilah. Usually the clear route to your destination and about every Rabbi or head of the congregation will speak before hundred miles you flipped the page and had the next the Neilah service to inspire the congregants to pray slice of the world at your fingertips. However, if you more fervently. In many congregations he will himself made a wrong turn and wandered off course, you lead the service instead of the cantor - again - were lost. And then came Mapquest: now that was a expressing the heightened sense of urgency. revolution, accept of course when its directions weren’t quite as direct as you had hoped. Now, 40 however, we can travel worry free, thanks to the GPS. there is a vast in-between. A life brimming with You have to admit, the GPS a fabulous device. The choices. moment you get lost, a voice chimes in with a friendly ‘recalculating,’ and after a few abrupt U-turns, you Rosh Hashanah is about the big directional choices we make in life—Rosh Hashanah is about goals and are headed back towards your destination. Yom Kippur is Hashem's way of allowing us to ‘recalculate’ destinations. Yom Kippur is about recalculating. Every Yom Kippur is an opportunity to look at the decisions the course of our lives. we have made in life and to honestly ask ourselves: From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur to Your Have I made a wrong turn? Did I make some mistakes Destination along the way that have taken me in a direction I The year was 1882 and Oscar Wilde was coming to would rather not be headed? the United States. The customs official routinely Some would say that Yom Kippur is but a microcosm inquired if he had anything to declare. His reply: “Only of Jewish life. A guilt-ridden obsession with my genius.” Years later as he sat in prison and trivialities. In fact Yom Kippur is an affirmation of the reflected on a squandered life, Mr. Wilde mused, “I value of life, of each day and of every aspect of each have been a spendthrift of my genius . . . I forgot that day, and of every choice that we make. We all know: every little action of the common day makes or that which we truly cherish is that which we carefully unmakes character.” scrutinize. The more significant the whole, the more One of the most striking differences between Rosh precious are its details. Hashanah and Yom Kippur revolves around attention If Hashem were a GPS to detail. On Rosh Hashanah we reflect on the goals we want to achieve in life, on the overall direction we On Yom Kippur it is as if Hashem were saying to us, want to travel, and on the destination we want to “No one is perfect, everyone makes wrong turns. I reach. On Rosh Hashanah we grapple with life’s want you to know that I believe in you. You are very, ultimate issues: What kind of character do I want to very important to me and what you do with your life have? How do I want to use my potential? What is important to me. So I want you to take a day, reflect impact do I want to make with my life? Where do I on your direction and your choices, and if need be, want my life to go and what is the legacy I hope to recalculate. Whatever you do, please take care. Take leave? Yom Kippur on the other hand is a day in which care of the small, almost invisible choices—those attention to detail reigns supreme. Throughout the precious, precious details of character and life. Those Yom Kippur prayer service you will find dozens of little changes in direction which if left unaddressed items for which to ask forgiveness. According to the can lead you to places you, and I, never wanted to see classic commentators, these items are in fact subject you go.” headings for even broader categories which together Only the magnificence of the space shuttle and the number many hundreds of actions for which we can unencumbered dreams and vision out of which it ask forgiveness. Yom Kippur is a busy day, to say the grew could make man an ever-frequent visitor to least. space. Yet all it takes is one overlooked piece of When you think about it, our days and our lives are foam—a small detail—to bring our dreams crashing little more than a continuous string of choices. More down to earth. Rosh Hashanah is about our mission in than anything else in life, what defines us is our life. Yom Kippur is about the details that will get us choices. Most of these choices are small, though where we want to go and ensure our success. many are not. After all, how often do we choose a Written by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf. Reprinted with permission career, a spouse or whether or not to have children? from Simpletoremember.com These types of choices are few and far between — but

41 THE QUESTIONS OF YOM KIPPUR with lists in hand reading out names. And one by one, during the day of Yom Kippur, shuls around the Exactly forty one years ago, in 1973, Yom Kippur fell country emptied of young men sent directly to the on a Shabbat, as it does this year. And as on this front, many of whom would fight those initial battles year, Jews all over the world gathered in shul on whilst still fasting. Friday night for Kol Nidrei, assuming the day would progress as normal. That year, as commanders went around with those lists of names, the powerful words of Unetaneh But that Yom Kippur would be completely different Tokef, one of the most moving and ancient prayers to any the Jewish people had ever before of the Days of Awe - ‘You open the book of experienced, taking Israel and the world by complete memories ‘vechotam yad kol adam ’ and the surprise. The equivalent of the entire forces of NATO signature of every man is in it’ – took on a totally gathered along Israel’s borders, with the intention of new, terrifying meaning. wiping the Jewish state out of existence. In February 1974 a journalist named David Bedein At least nine other Arab states actively aided the returned to the Golan, in an attempt to capture the Egyptian and Syrian war effort. And as we now spirit of the people who had returned to the Golan know, Israel was completely unprepared and paid an Heights in order to reclaim their kibbutzim that had unbearably heavy price. Two thousand six hundred been overrun during the first days of the war. and sixty eight Israeli soldiers lost their lives during the Yom Kippur War, which lasted until October 25, David spent Shabbat with the Ben Tzvi family in Y

OM 1973. Kibbutz Ramat Magshimim, right on the Syrian

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border and the very first to be overrun. Later, he IPPUR Every Yom Kippur in Israel has a unique atmosphere, described the atmosphere during the Friday night which must be experienced in order to be believed.

meal he spent with the family. Despite all the tensions, all the differences between its religious and secular inhabitants, on Yom Kippur The Ben Tzvi’s had four children, all of whom the State of Israel essentially shuts down. seemed to be perfectly normal. But during the meal, two of them suddenly started to cry. Their father, On Erev Yom Kippur, Israel’s broadcasting network Moshe, took David aside and explained that on that ends its programmes with announcers saying to one terrifying Friday night of Yom Kippur 1973, the another, ‘May you and all of Israel be blessed with a regional IDF commander had suddenly ordered them ‘chatimah tovah’ – may you be sealed for a good all to evacuate the kibbutz because of an year - and with that the network goes off air. unexpected advance in a Syrian tank column. The The same words appear on many Egged buses during family had eventually returned after the war to a the week before Yom Kippur, interspersed with badly damaged home, but the terrible memories of destination names. And on Yom Kippur itself, there that Friday night had made the children cry is no public transportation or electronic broadcasts constantly almost every Shabbat. at all and practically no shops or services are open. The wounds would take a long time to heal. And for Even the airspace is virtually closed. For all of Israel, many, they sadly never would. Yom Kippur is a day that envelopes the country in holiness. After the war there were many questions asked in Israeli society, particularly in government circles and That was why, on that Yom Kippur, it was all the indeed the world over. How could it happen? How more shattering when the Arab armies launched could Israel be so unprepared? And how could the their devastating attack. Commanders had to round Arabs launch an attack of such magnitude? up reservists as quickly as possible – but nearly all Eventually, the findings of the Agranat Commission were in shul. So they travelled around the country investigating the causes of the war would lead to the 42 resignation of Prime Minister Golda Meir and a people through a series of questions and answers, to radical rethinking of Israel’s military strategy. our families, our guests and ultimately ourselves.

But on every subsequent Yom Kippur, the tragic But the second night of questions is the night of Kol events of that year continue to ask more Nidrei, the beginning of the holiest day in the Jewish fundamental questions of each and every one of us calendar. And the questions on that night are very than the political questions asked in the immediate different. aftermath. Because on Kol Nidrei, it is not we who are asking On every Yom Kippur we remember and pay tribute the questions, but Yom Kippur itself, representing to every single one of the two thousand six hundred the entire weight of our Jewish heritage and and sixty eight fallen soldiers, particularly during tradition, that asks the critical questions of us. Yizkor, as we recite the memorial prayer for Israel’s fallen. But in Judaism we do not remember the past But what are those questions? solely for its own sake, in order to pay tribute, vital On Seder night they are printed in the Haggadah in though that is. We recall it in order to create a better front of us for the youngest to say. But where are future. they tonight?

The late Lord Jakobovitz z’l writes that there are The answer is that they are in the machzor in front three instances in the book of Genesis that the word of us, at the heart of the same Unetaneh Tokef zachor, ‘to remember’ is used. And every single one prayer that we recite three times over the Days of of them is about the future. Hashem ‘remembers’ Awe. They are contained within three words that we Noah in order to release him from the Ark. He are all familiar with, and within which are contained remembers Abraham in order to save his nephew the three critical questions that Yom Kippur asks of Lot from Sodom. And He remembers Rachel and each and every one of us. grants her a child. Those three words are: ‘Teshuva, Tefilla and So the critical question that the Yom Kippur War Tzedaka’. asks of us on this day is what can each and every one of us do in order to perpetuate the memories of Usually, these words are translated as ‘repentance, those who lost their lives? What can we do in order prayer and charity’. But in reality, each asks a to create a better future? How can we do our bit for distinct and vital question of us. And just as on Seder the future of the Jewish people as a whole, the same night, these are questions that require an answer. nation that they gave their lives in defence of? And These are the three questions of Yom Kippur, and above all, how will we live for those that died? we can interpret each of these words as relating to a As Jews – we are exceptionally familiar with asking different aspect of our lives and particularly the questions. And fascinatingly, there are actually two state of our relationships in life. nights of questions in the Jewish calendar. But the The first, Teshuva, relates to our relationship with nature of the questions on each is very different. our personal self. The first, and obvious one, is Seder night. On that ‘Teshuva’ really means not to repent but to return. It night, a night full of so many warm memories, an asks us whether we have ‘returned’ during the past electric atmosphere, and a deep sense of personal year to those Jewish values that were instilled in us history, it is we who ask the questions. during our childhood. Have we been true to what we Beginning with the mah nishtana – ‘why is this night know we are capable of? Have we taken steps to different from all others’ – we tell the story of our improve our character? Have we increased our performance of the mitzvot? Have we made Shabbat 43 as special as, deep down, we know it should be? reply that he was well aware that he was worth Have we kept Kashrut even in situations when it much more than that. wasn’t so easy? But in an unforgettable reply, Sir Moses responded And above all, have we utilised the opportunities that he had not been asked what he owned, but that presented themselves to us during the year for what he was worth. And the figure he had given was growth, or have we stood still in our Jewish practice? the amount of money he had given that year to Can we honestly say that this year we have done charity. Because, emphasised Sir Moses, we are only more, reached higher than the last? worth what we are willing to share with others.

The second question, Tefillah, meaning prayer – That is true tzedaka, charity, and the question that relates to our relationship with Hashem. this final word asks of us today.

It asks us whether we have taken the steps during Teshuva, Tefilla and Tzedaka are the three searching, this year to develop our connection to Hashem probing questions of Yom Kippur. Reminding us that through prayer. Have we utilised the precious we can always reach higher, become greater, in our moments we have in shul to the best of our ability? relationship with ourselves, with Hashem and with Have we listened to Hashem’s Voice as refracted each other. through the voices of a hundred generations of the On this holiest of days, let us remember the cry of Jewish people?

those children every Friday night on that kibbutz Y And above all, have we fully appreciated the value of some forty years ago, as they recalled being OM the community as a whole – as an extension of the wrenched from their homes during the Yom Kippur K

IPPUR concept of beit tefillah, a house of prayer? Have we War. involved ourselves with our own Jewish community Let us remember the eternal pain of the families of as often as we know we should? the two thousand six hundred and eighty eight And the third and final question is asked by the last soldiers who gave their lives in sanctification of of these three words, Tzedaka, meaning charity. Hashem’s name, so that we, the Jewish people could live in our Land. This question relates to our relationship with others. And let us remember that each and every one of us Have we treated those closest to us in the way that has the capability to reach higher, to sanctify they deserve? Have we given attention to our Hashem’s name in our own lives, every single day of spouses, shown love to our children, graciously given the year. of our time to those who need it? May we through our self-reflection and prayers And above all, have we done everything in our today begin to provide the answers to those critical power to help those in distress, those less fortunate questions that Yom Kippur asks of us, and may we all than ourselves? be sealed in the Book of Life for a happy, healthy and Sir Moses Montefiore, the outstanding leader and successful year ahead. philanthropist par excellence of Victorian Jewry, Written by Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum - Hadley Wood United devoted much of his long life to helping Jewish Synagogue. people in Britain and around the world.

The story is told that he was once asked how much THE WHITE FLAG he was worth, and he duly gave a figure. The There are some stories that are inspiring and some questioner instantly responded with the impudent that touch your heart. This past week I heard a story that touched my soul and captured I believe what is 44 the essence of this between Rosh lifetime- an investment that would let me retire. I Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The story was relayed to invested the millions that I had made and waited for me by my friend and former roommate Rabbi the phone call that never came. The entire thing was Yitzchok Feldheim told to him by his congregant Jack a scam. Just like that I was poor again.” who encountered a rather lost, sad and ragged looking young man on his evening return commute “When my wife discovered what happened she left me. I was very quickly evicted and suddenly had no from port Authority to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. friends to talk to. I had literally gone from riches to Looking into the young man’s eyes Jack invited him to rags in a few months’ time. I had to scrounge around join him in a seat and asked if there was he could do and the humiliation became too much to bear. I for him. “Nah, it’s O.K I’m just gonna stand here” was remember a few evenings ago I stretched out on a the response. Yet in that brief moment of eye contact, park bench thinking ‘this is where I’m going to die’ Jack saw such pure sadness he felt he just had to do something to help. After a few more offers the young “I finally decided that after talking to a kind man finally relented, sat down and after a few gentleman that evening that I should contact my parents-the only people that hopefully still cared for minutes of silence he began his story. me. I thought how could I use them like this? For so “It all started back when I was around 15. I was the long I had treated them without any respect and type of kid that was into electronics and was what almost like my worst enemies not including them in many considered a recluse or nerd. My parents tried any part of my life. And now that I needed them I to encourage me to get together with friends and should include them? I felt remorseful and ashamed they would always bother me. I would tell them to let but left with no choice I wrote them a letter.” me run my own life but they kept sticking their noses “Tears blinded my eyes and stained my words as I into my business. wrote them the entire chain of events that had “Well eventually fed up with my parents I ran away transpired. I was sure they had loved me and yet I had and spent my time inventing different things until caused them so much pain and sadness. I told them I eventually I created an incredible program that needed them back in the worst way yet would not turned me into an overnight millionaire. I returned have the strength to face them in person and face home yet once again my parents kept warning me rejection. I therefore asked them one last favour. I about the new group of “friends” that had begun to informed them of the train I would be taking to day cling to me only because of my new found wealth. I and I mentioned there was this large oak tree fifty finally told them for once and for all to stay out of my yards from the train stop. If they found it within life. They pleaded and begged with me but the last themselves to forgive me for my past sins they should time we spoke I hung up on them, insisting they never hang a white flag on one of the branches of the tree. call me again.” And if not… then I’ll just stay on the train and continue on to the next stop.” By now Jack was hanging on to every word of this tale of woe. On one hand feeling the pain of the parents The young man was spent. He had just bared his soul yet sympathizing with the young man as well, to this complete stranger but he had no choice wondering how much pain he must have endured. because the stop was up ahead and he didn’t have the courage to look and see if the flag was there. Jack held “Well the money definitely changed my life. I found a the what was now a scared young boy close to him. wife we moved into a beautiful high-rise apartment in He had cried throughout the story and was anxious to Manhattan and we were soon expecting a precious do what he could. little baby, I truly felt that I had made it. Then one day a shady character one that in hindsight I should have stayed away from, offered me the chance of a

45 The train slowed and the stop was near the young to me with a big knowing smile. I pick her up. “Wait!” man placed his head between his knees and was she orders. “Cuppee..” almost forgot her cup. shaking with fear and apprehension. “Bookeee” she demands. Wonderful, I’m raising a future book worm. I grab Dr. Seuss scoop her up One hundred yards before she thinks of anything else and get back to my Seventy five bed. She lies there next to me. Snuggles up. Sticks her foot in my chest, gives me the little knowing smile and Fifty. then drifts off to sleep. Sweet dreams, Elka, sweet dreams. Another night in the life of Rabbi Schwartz. I Jack looked out the window. The train had stopped drift off as well. But y’know what for some silly completely. Jason looked up his eyes red, his face reason, I’ve got a grin on my face too. white. “So tell me… what do you see?” I’ve always been a sucker for my 2 year old kids. It’s Jack stared at him and smiled “The… entire… tree… not something you can really explain to any rational was… covered… in… white cloth!!!” The young man being that hasn’t had one. I mean think about it. They hugged his friend and exited. Standing there with are constantly demanding. They need to be changed tears in their eyes were his loving parents. At first he regularly, or at least until my Mom comes and toilet hesitated, but then ran into their arms and held them trains them (I think it’s time... Mom), They break closer then he ever had before. His mother and father things, they disappear on you. And yes they don’t let held their broken son close and whispered into his you sleep. And if you run a Shul out of your house they Y ears” Welcome home, son, welcome home.” OM also disturb davening when Mommy’s still sleeping

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This Shabbos is known as Shabbos Shuva, the Shabbos Shabbos morning. But none of that’s relevant. IPPUR of Returning. It is the first of the new year and the one Somehow they know that one cute smile and the preceding that incredible day of return; Yom Kippur. occasional kiss or cute new word and all is forgotten. May each and every one of us find within ourselves All is forgiven. the strength and courage to send our letter and This Shabbos is Shabbos Shuva-the Shabbos we are prayers to our always loving Parent in heaven who so meant to return to our Father. It’s the first Shabbos eagerly is awaiting to embrace us and Welcome us of the year, the last before Yom Kippur and we read home to the safest place there is. the Torah portion of Ha’azinu. It is the song of the Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel Torah and Moshe’s final prophesy that Hashem had told him to teach to the Jewish People. And as I look through the Parasha after another restless night, I ELKA’S SONG believe it is also the song of Elka. “Daddy. Daaady. Daaaadyyyeeei”. I put my pillow “Halo Avicha Konecha Hoo Ascha V’koninencha- Isn’t over my head. “DADDY DADDY!” It’s 3:00 AM. I just He your Father? He made you, He established you.” felt my eyes closing. It’s been a long day. A long week. Moshe sings to us. A long month. “DADDYDADDYDADDYDADDYDEE..EEE…EEE!” She’s “She’al AviCha V’yagedcha Zkeinacha V’Yomru Lach- not going to stop. Elka, my two year old, is not like my Ask your father he will tell you, Your grandfather and other kids. They stopped. They cried. She just he will say it too.” You know what a fathers love is demands. She’s not even whining. Just yelling and Moshe tells us. You know what your grandfather’s calling to her father who she knows is going to love is. eventually lumber down those stairs to her room. Push aside the blankets. Lumber. Lumber. Lumber. Like an eagle arousing it’s nest hovering (or crib) Trip on Yonah’s shoe left on the steps. Lumber some hovering over its young spreading its wings and taking more. There she stands. Blanket in hand. She gives it them, carrying them on its pinions. I’m not sure what 46 pinions are but I think Elka kicked me in mine last night.

Yes, the song continues about how we became fat, spoiled, disregarded and forgot about our Father. He hides himself from us. Putting a pillow on top of his Divine Head… but unlike me, Hashem does it for our own good. So we’ll call out louder. So we’ll remember where we came from. So that we’ll come back home. Like me though, He promises to take pick us back up.

“On his Servants He will relent”.

Many of us had a year that felt like our Father wasn’t there for us. There aren’t too many out there that haven’t had sleepless nights. But this Shabbos, this Yom Kippur it’s our time and chance to sing this song. The song of our teacher Moshe taught to us so long ago, and that our Father taught to him. The song that tells He’s always there. We just need to call out to him a little bit louder. Perhaps, with a little more heart, maybe even a few tears to let him know how badly we need him to pick us up. How lonely it is downstairs away from Him. How we wish we could be in His dwelling place with Beit Hamikdash-His Temple. How we want to be embraced with His loving smile.

We’ve been far away. We need to make amends for some of things we’ve done. We’re not two year old Elka’s that don’t have to take responsibility for our actions and our mistakes. He’s given us the chance. The one day a year when we can bring it all back and make it all better. May we all be inspired this New Year may we have a Gmar chatima Tova- We should be sealed for a good and sweet year.

Written by Rabbi Epharim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel

47 YOM KIPPUR’S MYSTERY MAN TOUR destruction of the Temple on Tisha B’Av. Our religious experiences are not only meant to be days of One of the rewarding skills that you develop when commemoration but experiences that have many training to become a tour guide, is the ability to see layers, insights and nuances that are all there waiting things along the road that you might pass daily and to be uncovered and most powerfully to give us a learn to appreciate the hidden secrets and history sense of appreciation and connection to the that might lie behind their simple appearance. thousands of years that our ancestors have been “Look out from this vantage point over here. Here’s doing the same things at the same time. where Avraham stood and looked out with his son to Which brings us to Yom Kippur; the day that should the mountain of Hashem before the binding of be the most inspirational of the year. For many Yitzchak” though, the 15 out of 25 waking hour fast day, stuck “This valley we are standing in is the same valley in synagogue with a prayer book that never seems to where David fought Goliath” end, recounting your long litany of sins, fasting, looking at your watch and wondering how much “This stream we are kneeling before is the one that longer do we have go, does not necessarily seem like Gideon had his troops kneel before to drink before the most exciting way to spend your Tuesday night, the battle against the Midianites” Wednesday morning, afternoon and evening. “See those white ripples in the middle of the Kinneret Chazanut and singing is nice for a bit. But wouldn’t it be great to have a tour guide through the Yom Kippur Y that is where our sages tell us the well of Miriam is OM still rolling under the great lake-or maybe it’s those davening? Someone who can make the prayers a little

K ripples…or those…” more alive for us? A guide to connect me and my IPPUR prayers on a deeper level to thousands of years my

Our Tanach, our history, and our tradition all come ancestors have been saying these same words? Back alive when you are standing at various places and you in the old co uncover the history that took place there. The services were kind of like that as I would intersperse connection we have and feeling for our heritage is our davening regularly with different insights.(For awe inspiring. One of the greatest treats of being a those of you still in Seattle you can experience that tour guide here in Israel is to be able to reveal those still with the TLC’s newest Rabbi in West Seattle my hidden connections to your tourists, as you show colleague Rabbi Yehudah Greer-contact the Seattle them that the stories and inspiring figures that they Kollel for more details) Here in Israel though it is my are familiar with are not just fairy tales of the past understanding that if the Rabbi tries to speak more that they read about in books, or even study about in than once during a service and for more than 10 Yeshiva, rather they can reach out, touch and connect minutes he is liable to be left without a by the with those same figures as they traverse the Holyland time he is done in the best case scenario and he may where they once dwelled. himself be given a tour by the few remaining members. So instead we have this weekly E-Mail to The truth of the matter is, that it is not only a tour give you, my beloved readers and for that Rabbi/Tour guide’s job to do this. Every Rabbi, parent and Guide in me the outlet to share with you a little bit of teacher as well is meant to pass down our tradition in inspiration for your Yom Kippur Tour this year as you that same way. Our Pessach Seder is based on this prepare for our upcoming Day of Judgment. concept of a hands-on experiential telling of the story; from the Matzah, Bitter herbs and four cups of Today’s tour, which of course has to start with a wine. Our feast gives a taste of the joy of the connection to the weekly Parasha as we come closer holiday, our Chanuka candles connect us to the light to the end our annual Torah reading and the end of of the miracle of the Menorah and our sitting on the the Moshe our great leaders life, starts with Moshe’s floor, fasting and mourning customs connect us to the statement that he is 120 years old, his birthday and

48 day of passing and he is preparing for death. The That concept of all of us being connected and Talmud tells us that when Moshe went up to receive responsible for one another falls under what Rabbi the Torah Hashem instead shows him the future Akiva coined as the Torah’s golden rule- “Amar Rabbi generations. In this vision he sees another great Akiva- Va’Ahavta Li’rayacha Kamocha- Zeh Klal Gadol figure over a thousand years later, the great Rabbi Ba’Torah- And you shall love your fellow as your self Akiva who is teaching Torah in the Beit . is a primary principle of the Torah.” Moshe is overwhelmed at how Rabbi Akiva would Next before we recite our Shmona Esrei for the explain even the small shapes and crowns of each letter in the Torah, to the degree that he says “You evening service, we recite the verse have Rabbi Akiva what do you need me for?” When “On this day you shall atone for all your sins to cleanse Rabbi Akiva than says that we have learned this all you; from all your sins; before Hashem you shall be from Moshe on Sinai though Moshe is consoled. cleansed.” Once again we can hear the voice of Rabbi Rabbi Akiva, who like Moshe according to the Akiva as he exclaimed upon reading this verse Midrash also lived 120 years (Hillel and Rabbi “How fortunate are you Israel! Before whom are you Yochanan Ben Zakkai are the other two mentioned), purified and who purifies you? Our Father who is in is the hidden figure that if one looks carefully can be heaven. Just as a Mikva purifies the un-pure so too found all over the Yom Kippur davening. In fact the Hashem purifies Israel.” Chi”da notes that Rabbi Akiva, who was martyred on Yom Kippur, is in fact the essence of Yom Kippur and One can feel the awe of the day that Rabbi Akiva all of our prayers should be in his merit. So let’s start must’ve had.. All we have to do is jump into that from the beginning (a very good place to start) and mikva that is the love of our forgiving Father and and your homework this Yom Kippur is to find various Hashem himself will clean off all the shmutz our soul places in the service where our sages, who has accumulated over the year. formulated our prayers, placed references to Rabbi The truth is, there is perhaps no greater figure in our Akiva and his ideas. history who symbolizes new starts and the concept of Our introduction to the Yom Kippur service before Kol Teshuva. Rabbi Akiva who only started off himself Nidrei is the recital of the verse learning to read Hebrew at age 40 (when he would go to cheder with his little son) writes about himself that “OhR ZaruAh La’TzadiK U’LiyishreI LeV SimchA- A when he was a simple shepherd and saw a Torah light shall shine for the righteous and joy for those of scholar he would say- “give me a Talmid Chacham and a stalwart heart”. If you noticed the last letters of I will bite him like a donkey!” When asked, “Why not each one of the words actually spell out Rabbi Akiva’s like a dog?” he answered: “A dog’s bites tears the name. Cool! Well that’s pretty neat (we tour guides flesh, but a donkey’s bites breaks the bones. Can you like it when you say that). So our prayers start off with hear in these words sadly many of our typical secular a hint of Rabbi Akiva. Even more inspiring though is and anti-religious brothers and sisters? Yet, with all that as this is said we take that , that he the challenges of a secular background and inspired explained every nuance of (even the word Es), around by the potential he saw in the power of water to the Beit Knesset and lovingly kiss it as we think of the penetrate a rock, he decided that his heart which is love he had for the Torah. We then recite verses and so open to the love of Hashem, and the Torah which a statement of how we are permitted to pray is so powerful should certainly be able to return, grow together with sinners for in truth and develop.

“Kol H’Am Bi’Shgagah – we are all unintentional Our tour continues with another prayer that we have sinners (at least)” recited repeatedly since Rosh Hashanah and will recite multiple times on Yom Kippur; The prayer of Avinu Malkeinu – our Father our King. The Talmud 49 tells us that the author of this prayer was none other “My whole life I have recited the Shema and have than our Rabbi Akiva. The story being, that it was a been unable to fulfil the verse to serve Hashem with time of famine without any rain falling in Israel and all of my soul and now I have been given the many of the sages tried praying for rain to no avail. opportunity to fulfil that as well” Until Rabbi Akiva was got up and recited this prayer which was accepted. Why Rabbi Akiva? The Talmud Rabbi Akiva died in an act of martyrdom. Ironically says that although his teacher Rabbi Elazar was enough it was Rabbi Akiva himself who taught that one is not obligated to give up one’s life for another greater than him but Rabbi Akiva was one who was able to transcend his natural instincts and have mercy commandment besides the three cardinal sins (even even in places and times when he was justified to act to save a fellow Jew). For the Torah teaches us that one is meant to “Live by the commandments”- not die harshly. How appropriate it is that the quote mentioned from Rabbi Akiva in Ethics of our Fathers by them. Yet for him a life without the study of Torah without closeness to Hashem was not a life worth is living or as he described like a fish without water. That “Beloved is the man that he was created in the image was life. It is that life that we are praying to be written of God; an extra love is made known to him that he and sealed in this Yom Kippur. was created in God's image, as it says (Genesis 9:6) "for in His own image God made humankind." Rabbi Akiva died with the words Shema Yisrael on his lips as he sanctified Hashem’s name one final time Beloved are the Jews that they are called sons to before his death. We, as well, conclude our Yom Hashem; an extra love is made known to them that Y

OM they are called sons to Hashem, as it says Kippur Neila service with that cry of Kiddush Hashem,

Shema Yisrael, echoing that call of Rabbi Akiva that K

(Deuteronomy 14:1) "You are children of the Lord IPPUR your God." Beloved are the Jews that there has been has held us together as a Hashem’s chosen nation for millennia. May Hashem bless all of us this year, in the

given to them the precious instrument; an extra love is made known to them that they were given the merit of the teachings and inspiration of the great Rabbi Akiva whose ways and deeds still serve as a precious instrument of the world's creation, as it says (Proverbs 4:2) "For I give you good precepts; do not light for us, that we be signed and sealed in the book of good life, redemption and salvation, sustenance forsake my teaching." and support, merits, forgiveness and pardon. Rabbi Akiva was able to transcend because he knew Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel he was created in the image of Hashem who does so as well. He felt beloved by our Father and inspired by the Torah and he taught us how fortunate we are to MAINTAINING OUR HOLINESS have the power of that knowledge embedded in our Ne'ilah marks the concluding prayer of Yom Kippur. souls. And when we behave in that fashion Hashem In the Shemoneh Esrei of Ne'ilah we entreat as well reflects that and grants us renewed life. Hashem, Seal us in the Book of Life," replacing the Finally for the conclusion of today’s tour we recite version we recited throughout the days between during our Musaf prayer the story of the death of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in which we ask to Rabbi Akiva. His martyrdom was on this holiest of be "written" in the book of life. v'chasveinu ... -- days in the theatre of Casarea, before the mocking inscribe us." Roman masses as his skin was flailed off his body with The Sefer Mo'adim B'Halacha asks: Why do we make burning iron combs for the crime of teaching our this change, and what is the implication of the word tradition to his people. His students cried out "seal"? “Is this Torah and is this its reward?’ and Rabbi Akiva He explains that usually, when one would send a responded letter, they would affix a seal on the outside of the

50 envelope to ensure that nobody tampered with the his quiver to eliminate whatever danger lurked in contents of the letter and it would arrive to its the dark. By now the hunter was so frightened that destination intact. he kept plucking arrows from his cache, until he realized that he only had one more arrow in his When we come to the prayer of Ne'ilah, we have possession. already progressed through forty days of teshuvah (repentance). We have performed the service of Elul, Suddenly, a blood-curdling cry tore through the Rosh Hashanah, the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, and forest, and the hunter saw a lion crashing through almost completed the entire day of Yom Kippur. At the trees directly ahead of him. Realizing that his this point we have purified our souls, elevated our very life depended on his accuracy in hitting the spiritual level, and feel closer to Hashem than at any target with only one attempt, he slowly positioned point during the year. his last arrow in the bow and carefully aimed his weapon. The verse in Tehillim (24:3) states: "Mi yaaleh b'har Hashem - who may ascend the mountain of Forty days of rachamim (mercy) and selichos Hashem." When we do merit to achieve a lofty (forgivness) have passed. As we get to the prayer of spiritual level, the nisayon (challenge) is to maintain Ne'ilah on the holy day of Yom Kippur, those special that holiness. So we pray to Hashem that the days set aside for our teshuvah (repentance) are achievements we have attained over the past forty coming to a close. We have expended all our arrows days should remain untouched and intact, and we praying to Hashem and supplicating Him, however should be able to continue along this same path we are not certain about the measure of our throughout the year. success. The sifrei chaim (books of life) and the sifrei meisim (books of death) are both open, and our lives In the Sefer Hirhurei Teshuvah, a parable is cited depend on the precision of our avodah of Ne'ilah. from the of Lublin concerning the import of That is the last arrow remaining in our stockpile and the moment when we reach the juncture of Ne'ilah every member of the Jewish people wants to in our prayers of Yom Kippur. guarantee that his prayers prevail.

A hunter who was traveling in the forest lost his way Written by Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser. Reprinted with permission and with each further step he wandered deeper into from chazaq.org the dense woods. All he had with him for protection was a quiver of arrows, with his bow in hand. Afraid of a wild animal that could jump out at any moment, he jumped at every rustle and noise that he heard.

When the trees stirred rather loudly, he shot an arrow in that direction, hoping to waylay a tiger that might jump through the branches. However, when he approached the trees he saw that it was just some large withered branches which had fallen off the tree.

He walked a little further and heard the leaves crunching behind him. He turned and shot another arrow, but when he looked for the arrow he found it had become trapped very high up in a tree.

As the wind blew through the trees, he heard strange sounds, and again he pulled an arrow from 51 SUCCOT

WWW.SUCCOT are comprised of seven parts: one lulav, one etrog, three myrtle branches and two willows. When? What? Why? Succot lasts for seven days. Then on the eighth and When is Succot? ninth days we celebrate the festivals of Shmini th Succot begins on the 15 of Tishrei, just four days Atzeret and Simchat Torah respectively. after Yom Kippur. What do we do on Succot and Why? Succot commemorates the fact that we sat in huts The four days between Yom Kippur and Succot are in the wilderness after we left Egypt, and the clouds considered quasi festival days as they coincide with that protected us. We were sitting in those huts and the days when King Solomon consecrated the altar in had those clouds right when we left Egypt, so the first Temple. We may not fast and we do not historically, Succot should come right after, or recite at the daily services. during, Pesach. However is in the spring when the weather starts getting warmer; if we were Succot also commemorates the Jewish People’s to make huts in the spring, it might seem like we liberation from physical and spiritual bondage in were just building holiday bungalows to escape the Egypt and the elevation to being Hashem’s chosen people. heat. Therefore, the Torah commanded us to build our Succah-booths in the autumn when it starts Our Sages encourage us to hospitably receive guests getting cool, making it clear that the Succah is a in the Succah during the entire seven days of the commandment and not a cabana. festival. In this regard, the Zohar teaches that among the earthy guests invited into the Succah there are The offers another explanation: The seven spiritual guests who permeate the space of the Succah represents the clouds of glory with which Succah as well: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Hashem protected us in the desert. Hashem took Aaron and David. In fact, many recite a special service away these clouds when we sinned with the Golden “inviting” these honorary guests each night before Calf and when He forgave us that year on Yom the meal. Although all of these spiritual guests are Kippur, the clouds came back. So, Succot celebrates present every day of Succot, each day features one the return of those clouds after the first Yom Kippur above the others. The seven days and seven guests in the desert. are called ushpizin.

Succot is in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh One of the important experiences of Succot is that of month of the year. Like other sevens in Judaism, this leaving the protection of our permanent dwellings indicates the elevated spiritual status of the holiday. and basking in the shade and protection of Hashem's It comes after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, once presence. Each of the seven Ushpizin exemplified this we have repented, have been forgiven and have been idea during their lifetimes. For instance Avraham left granted continued life and prosperity. the security of his home and the house of his father and went off on a journey protected by Hashem's The number seven indicating an elevated spiritual promise. Yitzchak had to leave his home and dwell status appears a number of times on Succot. (For amongst the Philistines because of famine. Yaakov more on the significance of the number seven see had to leave his home and live with Lavan, etc. beginning of article www.Rosh-Hashana in the Rosh Hashanah section of this companion. The four species 52 Rain during Succot is not a good 'omen.' The Sages the mitzvah of the four species about which the Torah compare it to a servant who comes to pour a drink for writes “You shall take for yourselves the fruit of a his master, but instead of accepting the cup, the beautiful tree” (Leviticus 23:40). We decorate the master splashes water in the servant's face. Likewise, Succah to the best of our ability and try to use our we desire to perform the mitzva of sitting in the finest dishes in it. Succah, but instead, Hashem pours water on our On Succot we do not eat any meals outside of the heads. Succah. Every time we sit down for a meal in the Rabbi writes that the 'bad Succah, the blessing ‘leishev basuccah’, to dwell in the omen' applies only in Israel. This can be explained as Succah, is recited. On the first and second nights of follows: The mitzvot were chiefly intended for the Succot it is obligatory to eat a meal in the Succah and . Even mitzvot having no obvious after the Kiddush we recite not only the blessing for connection to the land - mitzvot such as Shabbat and the Succah but also the shehechiyanu. All the Kashrut - were intended mainly for performance in blessings could be found in the Succot machzor. Israel. Although mitzvot certainly apply wherever you If it rains on the first night of Succot and it seems the are; nevertheless, the mitzvot are “laws of the God of the Land” and are performed ideally in ‘The Land’. rain will be persistent one should make the Kiddush Hence, the analogy of the servant and the master can in the Succah anyway and enjoy the rest of the meal indoors. If one could wait until the rain stops, one be seen as applying specifically to Israel. should do so. During the rest of Succot if it is raining The first and second days of Succot are a Yom Tov as one may immediately begin his meal indoors and are the last two days and certain types of melacha once you have begun there is no requirement to go (work) are prohibited. See article ‘Melacha on Yom back out to the Succah if the rain were to stop. Tov’ in this section of the companion. In the UK we are lenient about sleeping outside of the The Yom Tov candles should be lit inside the Succah, Succah as it is cold and likely to rain so one is not if there is a wind or danger they should be transferred obligated to suffer in order to fulfil the mitzvah. into the house. Women and children are not obligated in the mitzvah The Succah of Succah. A person who is sick, even non-life- I am happy to come round to check the validity of threatening sickness, is free from the mitzvah as are your Succah before Yom Tov. his those who attend to him.

A Succah must be directly under the sky; if it's built The walls underneath anything else, it's invalid. Even if the The walls of the Succah must be fully assembled foliage of the tree is very thin, it could still invalidate before the sechach, roof, is placed. an otherwise valid Succah according to some Although it is preferable to have four complete walls, authorities. Therefore, extreme caution should be the minimum requirement for a Succah is two and a taken when building a Succah in order to avoid half walls. placing it under a tree or any other covering. The halachic definition of a ‘wall’ is different than The minimum size for a kosher Succah is 56cm x 56 Webster's definition. Halachically, a wall can have a cm or 67.2cm x 67.2cm, by 80cm or 96cm high. The gap of up to three tefachim (handbreadths) and still maximum height is 9.6 metres or 11.52 metres. There be valid. This is based on a concept called ‘lavud’. is no limit to the length or width of the Succah. Lavud means that we consider any gap of less than All mitzvot should be performed in an aesthetic three tefachim as though it's connected. But the laws manner, with regards to beauty. This is especially true of lavud are complex. Therefore, the custom is to use with regards to the Succah for it is accompanied by 53 full walls, and not to rely on lavud. Screens, although make up for the others’ shortcomings. And more, 'holey,' are valid Succah walls. only by taking ourselves into this unity, for better or for worse, can we truly rejoice before the Lord our Walls that sway with the breeze are invalid. God. Therefore, you have to fasten the screens tight so they don't sway. (If they sway in a very gusty wind, According to Jewish Tradition the etrog tree is very that is okay.) special. There is an opinion in the Talmud that the Tree of Knowledge was the etrog tree. One of the The roof things that make it so special is that the bark is of the Sechach – The roof of a Succah- must be something same flavour as the fruit. When Hashem created the that grew from the ground but is no longer attached world, His original command was that the trees as to the ground. Also, it may not be made from food well as the fruit be edible. The etrog tree is the tree (like sugar cane) or from an implement (like wood that symbolizes this ideal relationship that is broken from a chair or bed). supposed to exist between mankind and nature.

These limitations apply only to the sechach, but not The etrog fruit itself is also full of symbolism. to the walls. Therefore, a roofless shed can be made According to early sources the etrog symbolizes the into a Succah by adding a "kosher" roof - such as heart (its shape is reminiscent of the heart). The bamboo canes, wooden slats, or leaves importance of the heart is that it both receives blood and pumps blood into the system. That is, it gives as It's preferable that the material directly supporting much as it takes the roof also be suitable for sechach. Therefore if the shed is metal you should put a piece of wood on top Myrtle leaves grow in sets of three with each set of of the metal surface, and put the sechach on the leaves covering the set above it on the branch, giving wood. the myrtle branch the appearance of a braided chain. The myrtle used for Succot has special requirements; One must place a sufficient amount of sechach so that

for example it should be complete, and the three S the resultant shadow inside the Succah is greater UCCOT leaves of each set should grow from the same point than the sunlight. But the sechach may not be so thick along the stem. Agronomists in Israel have recently that it becomes rain proof. Ideally one should still be developed a method which produces myrtles of the able to see stars peeking through the sechach. highest standard. THE FOUR SPECIES The Torah commands, "Take yourselves fruit of the etrog tree, branches of date palms, boughs of myrtle and willows of the brook, and rejoice before the Lord your God seven days" (Leviticus 23:39-40). Our Sages taught that the etrog which has both good taste and fragrance corresponds to Jews who possess both Torah and good deeds. The branch of the date palm, whose fruit has taste but no fragrance, corresponds to Jews who possess Torah but lack good deeds. The myrtle which has fragrance but no taste represents Jews who possess good deeds but are lacking Torah. Finally, the willow branch which has neither taste nor fragrance, symbolizes Jews who lack both Torah and good deeds. All of these "species" are inextricably bound together in order that each ones’ strengths will 54

Arava Haddas Lulav Etrog Species Willow Myrtle Date-palm Citron Number needed 2 3 1 1 Minimum size 30 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm (spine) 100 gram Characteristics Elongated, smooth- Leaves cover branch. 3 Long double leaves, Elongated shape, skin edged leaves leaves sprout from same covering spine, not smooth, indented place on branch. extending beyond stem spine Disqualifications Stolen. Stolen. Stolen. Stolen. Borrowed (on first Borrowed (on first day). Borrowed (on first Borrowed (on first day). day). Dried out. day). Dried out. Dried out. Top cut off (if nothing Dried out. Missing substance. Top cut off. else is available it is Split top leaf. Holes - where some of Majority of leaves okay). Leaves spread out, the peel is missing. missing. Leaves don't grow in hardened or hanging Split. Leaves round, groups of 3 (if nothing down. "Pitam" missing (except "serated" edges. else is available it is Top cut off. where it grew without Stalk never was red - okay). Spine curving to the one). indicates wrong side. Dark spots on upper species. Top of spine is bent sloping part of etrog. down. Dry spots on upper slope. Stem missing. Spherical shape.

Sample Picture

When binding the four species (this should be done 1. That which will cause loss, if not done, is before the advent of the festival), the haddasim are permitted. bound to the right of the lulav (as you hold the lulav 2. Things which are necessary for the Mo'ed (and with its spine facing you) and the aravot are bound to could not have been done beforehand) are its’ left. This bundle is held in the right hand with the permitted. etrog in the left. Ashkenazic tradition is that, a left 3. Unskilled labour which involves little effort (e.g., handed person holds his lulav in his left hand. The turning on a light, driving a car) is permitted. Sephardic custom is that even a lefty holds the lulav 4. We do not have haircuts or shave in these days in the right hand. The setting of the haddasim and unless one was unable to before the festival – e.g. aravot is the same for everyone. a mourner. 5. We do not make clothes washes unless it is for The mitzvah of the four species applies only during the need of the festival or for young children. the day and not at night. It is also not performed on Shabbat. The main purpose of the Mo'ed is to absorb the lessons of the Festival without the distractions of To fulfil the mitzvah one takes the set, etrog in the left mundane affairs. and lulav in the right. The etrog is held with the pitam (stem-like protrusion at the top of the fruit) facing It is appropriate to eat festive meals with meat and down; one then brings the two hands together, wine during every day of the Mo'ed. recites the blessings found in the machzor, turns the This year, like last, we have a Shabbat on the Mo’ed etrog around and shakes the set in all six directions. This is all done whilst standing. The shaking of the this makes for an even more joyous Shabbat than four species is repeated four more times within the usual. People have various customs to celebrate this double joy. recitation of the . We have the custom to read the book of Kohelet in Succot is the time when the world is judged regarding the Synagogue before the service on Shabbat

the amount of rain which will fall the entire year. In S waving the four species we symbolically declare to morning. The reason for reading this script on Succot UCCOT Hashem: Just as the four species cannot exist without is because Succot is a time of simcha and Kohelet

speaks of rejoicing. Another given explanation is since water so too can the world not exist without water. King Solomon taught the lessons of Kohelet to those After Yom Tov: Since the lulav and etrog were used assembled in Jerusalem on Succot. for a mitzvah they should be treated with respect. Hoshana Raba Ideally, they should be used for another mitzvah. The fifth day of the Chol Ha’ is called Hoshana Some people save their lulav until Passover and Raba. This marks the day when the judgment which then use it to burn the chametz. Some people stick began on Rosh Hashanah, is sealed. cloves into their etrog and use it as the fragrance spice at havdallah. Some use the etrog to make a This is the last day on which we fulfil the mitzvah of jam over which they make a bracha. the four species.

CHOL HAMOED – INTERMITTENT All that we do on Hoshana Raba alludes to prayer. We address Hashem and say “Master of the universe, we DAYS OF FESTIVAL come before You poor and empty-handed. We lack The five days after the first two days and before Torah learning, mitzvot, good deeds and the merit of Shmini Atzeret are referred to as Chol Hamoed. The our fathers. We have only our mouths with which we prohibition of melacha on these days differs from the pray to You alone. Answer us in the merit of this prohibition on the festival days. prayer which we offer with broken and contrite hearts”.

On each day of Succot we circle the bimah with the It is an ancient Jewish custom to dance around the four species once. On Hoshana Raba we circle it seven bima with Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah. We dance times. After reciting some additional liturgical poems, round in a circle to symbolize this eternity of the each person takes five aravah branches like those Torah and its Author. used in the four species, bound together and beat them on the ground five times. The aravah is as we The circle is also a symbol of equality. Every point on mentioned tasteless and fragrance free, the leaves the circle is equidistant from the centre. This teaches that while there are many different kinds of Jews: are shaped like lips. Once again the symbolism is that we have nothing, not the taste of Torah nor the Jews from Iran and Jews from Indianapolis, Jews of all fragrance of mitzvot. On this day all we have is our colours and from all walks of life, Jews who strongly differ in their emphasis in service of the Creator such lips with which we pray. as Chassidic and Lithuanian Jews, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah Ashkenazim and Sephardim. Nevertheless, as we Shmini Atzeret is a festival in and of itself, hence when dance in that circle we must realize that even though lighting the Yom Tov candles one says the we may be 180 degrees away from our fellow Jews, shehechiyanu blessing. Men recite the shehechiyanu we are all equidistant from the centre, from Hashem. by the night times’ Kiddush. May we merit that all our prayers are heard and that Atzeret comes from the root meaning ‘to stop’. the mashiach comes speedily in our days. Hashem is affectionately telling us “Your departure is Written/compiled by: Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. difficult for me. Put it off for another day”.

During the mussaf service on Shmini Atzeret we add the prayer for rain. SECOND DAY YOM TOV

In the afternoon of Shmini Atzeret it is customary to Just a case of ‘buy one get one free’? enter the Succah and eat a light snack, to fulfil the One of the most infamous and perplexing aspects of mitzvah of dwelling in the Succah one last time. Upon Jewish practice is the notion of a second day of Yom leaving the Succah the following prayer is recited: Tov. This article aims to address the history of the May it be Your will, Hashem our God and God of our practice and its relevance in modern times through fathers, that just as I have merited to sit in this Succah, classic Jewish texts. so too may I merit that next year in Jerusalem I shall sit in the Succah made of the skin of the leviathan. The explains that before the Jewish calendar was fixed, the beginning of every Jewish month was In Israel, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are held declared by means of witnesses who would come to on one day. Here in the diaspora we celebrate them the (Jewish court of law) originally based in separately over two days. On Simchat Torah we Jerusalem and declare that they had seen the New celebrate the conclusion of the cycle of reading from Moon. After examination, if the witnesses were the Torah. As soon as we finish the last verse, we found to be telling the truth, the sages would declare immediately start, "In the beginning" (Gen. 1:1). This the beginning of the month.3 This message was continuous cycle is like a circle which symbolizes spread over the Land of Israel via a system of hilltop eternity. It has no beginning and no end, it goes on fires.4 forever, eternally, just as the One who gave us the Torah is Eternal.

3 Babylonian Talmud Rosh HaShannah 23b (see 4 Babylonian Talmud Rosh HaShannah 22b (see Mishnah there) there) 57 The difficulty arose with the fixing of the festivals. The fundamental question about the addition of a Second Gemara5 records that messengers were sent from day of Yom Tov in modern times. Jerusalem to the Diaspora in order to inform distant communities regarding the fixing of the festivals. For over 1,600 years our calendar has not relied on witnesses to declare the onset of each new Jewish Even though the Torah only stipulates that our festivals must be observed for one day, it became month. The change is largely attributed to Hillel II (not common practice for Jews in distant communities to be confused with Hillel who was a sage in Mishnaic times. Hillel II was the Nasi (leader) of the Sanhedrin outside of the Land of Israel to observe two days of the festival. This was because it took more than two between 320 and 385 CE. weeks for the message to arrive regarding the exact In of Rav Hai Gaon from the academy of date of Rosh Chodesh making the calculation of the Pumbedita during the early 11th century it appears date of the festival very difficult. that the calendar was fixed for a 19 year cycle of leap If for example, Succot must be kept on the 15th of years in the year 358 CE. With it came the fixing of the Tishrei6 there was insufficient time for the Jewish months rendering the system of witnesses and messengers obsolete. Yet the practice of Diaspora messengers from Jerusalem to reach Jewish communities more than two week’s travel away. In communities keeping a second day Yom Tov those far flung communities, Succot was therefore continued even though the apparent reason for the practice no longer applied. The Gemara9 explains observed on both the 15th and 16th of Tishrei, whereas in the Land of Israel it would have only been that: 7 במנהג אבותיכם בידיכם זמנין . .observed on the 15th according to the Torah Similarly, Rosh Hashanah which falls on the first of דגזרו המלכות גזרה ואתי לאקלקולי Tishrei would have to be observed for two days even in Israel. The reason was because in a case where the witnesses for the New Moon did not arrive until late Give heed to the customs of your ancestors on the 30th of the previous month of Elull, they would which have come down to you; for it might

S keep that day as the first day of Rosh Hashanah in happen that the government might issue a UCCOT case they arrived. If they did arrive, Elull would be 29 decree and it will cause confusion [in days and the 30th of Elull would become the 1st of ritual]. Tishrei.8 The Gemara above implies that we retain the It is worth noting that while we can understand the tradition of second day Yom Tov in case need for communities to be strict in this case, there governmental decrees prevent us from learning are also mitzvot (commandments) that those Torah, causing confusion in the calendar. While this is communities would lose out on by observing an extra not unreasonable given the historical context of the day of Yom Tov. Since it is forbidden to wear Gemara, it appears practically inconceivable in the on Shabbat and Yom Tov, it would be impossible to modern world. Maimonides explains that since there perform that important positive mitzvah. Therefore, is no longer a Sanhedrin to uproot the practice of the addition of a second day of Yom Tov was not second day Yom Tov, even though according to the made lightly. Yet this strengthens the most "simple law" it would be appropriate to keep only one

5 Babylonian Talmud Tractate Rosh HaShannah 18a designed to last for either 29 or 30 days and that they knew 6 which months should be 29 and which should be 30. It is Numbers 29:12 worth noting from this case that the primary day of Rosh 7 Rambam, Mishnah Torah Laws of Sanctification of the HaShannah is in fact the second day and the day added out Month, Chapter 5 Halacha 4 of doubt is the first day (see Babylonian Talmud Beitzah 4b .ד"ה כל היום .and Rashi, ibid 8 Even when witnesses were relied on, it is clear that 9 communities understood that each of our months were Babylonian Talmud Tractate Beitzah 4b 58 day, Jewish law states that two days are kept in line We know that in the year 2448, the Jewish people with the Gemara.10 were commanded to take the Paschal offering on the 10th of Nissan.11 The Gemara records that the Jewish Yet could the reasons given in the sources we have people slaughtered the Paschal offering four days cited be only part of the picture, relevant for their later at the prescribed time (14th of Nissan). They left time? Could we entertain the possibility that there the next day on the 15th of Nissan which was a other, perhaps deeper reasons for keeping a second Thursday.12 This means that the 10th of Nissan was day of Yom Tov outside the Land of Israel, beyond Shabbat which complements the notion that Shabbat those already mentioned which appear obsolete? To HaGadol commemorates the taking of the Paschal begin to address this we must point to one glaring lamb.13 We also know that when the Jewish people anomaly in the practice: the festival of . arrived at Sinai it was the 1st of .14 The Torah does not fix a date for Shavuot but simply Yet the big question is what happened next. The commands us to count forty nine days starting from Gemara fills in some of the gaps left by the Torah.15 the second day of Pesach. This means that even On Rosh Chodesh itself the people rest from the before the calendar was fixed, the messengers had journey. On the 2nd and 3rd of Sivan Hashem speaks to over two months from Rosh Chodesh Nissan before Moses declaring them a ‘Kingdom of Priests’16 and arriving in communities outside of Israel to declare 17 the correct date of Rosh Chodesh. Long before the setting up the boundaries around the mountain. Shavuot, the messengers could have arrived and Hashem has commanded Moses and the people to revealed the real date of Pesach meaning that the prepare for two days and on the third day, Hashem 18 issue of doubt was no longer relevant; only one day will reveal Himself and give the Torah. This process th of Shavuot needed to be kept. begins on the 4 of Sivan. This would lead us to the conclusion that the Torah was given on the 6th of Yet that was never the practice. Communities would Sivan, the date which we have fixed for Shavuot. keep two days Shavuot and this continues to be the custom today. There must therefore be some other Yet there is one little Talmudic fly in the ointment; the reason, beyond the issue of doubt that led the Jewish same Gemara recounts a machlokes (disagreement) people to adopt two days of Shavuot. If so, it may between the sages and Rebbi Yosi regarding the explain why we continue to keep two days Yom Tov number of days that Moses actually directed the for other festivals given that the calendar has been Jewish people to prepare. As we mentioned, Hashem fixed. had told them to prepare for two days but according to Rebbi Yosi, with Hashem’s agreement Moses To answer this we must examine the events added an extra day of preparation thus pushing off surrounding Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) the giving of the Torah to the 7th of Sivan. One could which Shavuot commemorates and specifically piece try to dismiss Rebbi Yosi as a daas yachid (lone together the exact date on which the Torah was opinion), except that the Magen Avraham points out given? that we establish the halacha according to him.19 This

10 Mishnah Torah, Sanctification of the Month, Chapter 5 15 Babylonian Talmud Tractate Shabbat 86b – 87a Halacha 5 16 Exodus 19:6 11 Exodus 12:3 17 Exodus 19:12 12 Babylonian Talmud Tractate Shabbat 87b) 18 Exodus 19:10 13 Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 430:1 and Mishnah 19 Rabbi Avraham Gombiner, Magen Avraham on Orach Berurah 430:1. Chayim Siman 494 (Introduction) 14 Exodus 19:1 see Rashi ibid. 59 means accordingly that the revelation on Mount Sinai But if that is the case, why should the second day of actually happened on the 7th of Sivan. Yom Tov only be practiced outside of Israel?

Why then do we celebrate Shavuot on the 6th of According to Rabbi Menachem Azariah of Fano since Sivan? Moreover, we declare on both days that the Torah was given outside of the Land of Israel, Shavuot is "Zman matan Torateinu" - the time of the Hashem took the opportunity to give us our share in giving of our Torah. In light of what we now know, the His Torah through the Oral Torah. He chose to Magen Avraham asks how can we say this phrase on celebrate Himself, in all His Glory, the second day of the first day?20 the Diaspora holiday which Moshe added on his own initiative according to Rebbi Yosi24. The Bais HaLevi gives a fascinating answer. He begins by citing a famous aggadata which describes how the According to this, since the Torah was given outside angels wanted to prevent Moses receiving the Torah. the land of Israel, when Moshe added one day with 21 They felt Torah should stay in heaven. Moses argues Hashem’s approval, Hashem was also approving the with them pointing out that the majority of the laws extra day of Yom Tov that Moses had created. This relate to mankind and earthly activities, not to angels. explains why Shavuot has a second day Yom Tov and Yet this seems obvious. Surely the angels would have indeed is the paradigm second day Yom Tov and realised that? Were they merely jealous of Moses for source for all of the other second day Yom Tovim. This receiving these laws? is also the reason why even though the basis given by The Beis HaLevi explains that the angels were in fact the Rambam for second day Yom Tov is no longer less concerned about the written Torah, but instead valid as our calendar is fixed, each second day Yom Tov has its source in this seminal moment of Moses wanted the oral aspect of Torah – the ability to adding one day. expound the Torah and apply it in this world. That is the time of the Let us thank Hashem for this wonderful opportunity – זמן מתן תורתנו why we say the phrase to celebrate and enjoy two days of Yom Tov and

giving of our Torah. Our Torah refers to the oral Torah S

inspire ourselves of its true source: the nature of UCCOT – the ability to expound Torah and this is precisely Torah itself. We have both an Oral and Written Torah. what Moses did when he reasoned that Hashem's While we often prioritise the Written Torah as

command of preparing for two days was supposed to Hashem's Divine Will, in His infinite wisdom He be for three days in total once you have considered declared that we too should have our own share in the half day on the first day of preparation.22 Torah, the Oral Torah which continues to this very day. The two days of Yom Tov therefore represent both the oral Torah (the 6th of Sivan when Moses made Written by Rabbi Dr. Moshe Freedman, Northwood United the first act of Oral Torah) and the written Torah Synagogue (corresponding to the giving of the Written Torah on the 7th of Sivan). It is the Oral Torah that can truly be the CHOL HAMOED - לא בשמים היא ,ours as the Talmudic dictum states Torah is not in Heaven.23 A Tale of Two Worlds There is a powerful message we can learn about from Chol Hamoed which can inspire us way beyond the

20 ibid. 23 See Deuteronomy 30:12 and Babylonian Talmud 21 Babylonian Talmud Tractate Shabbat 88b – 89a Tractate Bava Metzia 59b 24 22 See the Gemara in Shabbat 88b-89a for a detailed Sefer Asarah Ma'amaros, Ma'amar Chikur Hadin 2:15 account of the drasha that Moses made from God's command. 60 festive period. It is a message that is increasingly Today that message is more important than ever. As important in the 21st century. Lord Sacks pointed out in his booklet, A Judaism Engaged with the world. ‘Today the two most When we make havdalah after a Chag or Shabbat, we powerful movements in Jewish life are assimilation talk about making a differentiation between kodesh and segregation. Jews are either engaging with the (holy) and chol (secular). The idea is simple: Shabbat world at the cost of disengaging from Judaism or th is kodesh, Sunday is chol; Succot (i.e. 15 Tishrei) is engaging with Judaism at a cost of disengaging from kodesh, 27th Tishrei is chol. For 345 days (in a non- the world’. Chol Hamoed challenges us to be neither in the UK) this is clearly the case; the day is of those but encourages us to be an engaged Jew, either kodesh or chol, but never both. living our life in the 21st century, educated and That is until we have Chol Hamoed – days when the connected to the modern world yet imbuing our lives central mitzvot of the Chag are still performed with eternal values and truths. (shaking the lulav, sitting in the Succah), yet at the We can all agree that segregation is far more same time many of the melachot of Yom Tov are preferable than assimilation but neither is the ideal relaxed. We are allowed to do anything in regard to either now or ever in Jewish history. What is needed preparing food and many people go to school and is the ability for us as Jews to live our lives in a work during these days. constant state of Chol Hamoed, and to demonstrate So how do we maintain the fine balance of holiday to each other and to the world, how our Torah values and weekday? The halachah gives us a set of imbue not just our religious lives but our secular lives guidelines to help us determine what we may and as well. may not do on Chol Hamoed. The details are fairly By living our lives daily in this way, we will go through complex, but the general principle is to do as little life with the message of Chol Hamoed. Ordinary days ‘skilled’ work as possible, and as much holiday lived in extraordinary ways. celebration as we can. In practice this leads to many people wearing yom tov clothing during Chol Written by Rabbi Andrew Shaw – Director of US Living & Hamoed, lessening the work they do and holding Learning and Community Rabbi Stanmore & Cannons Park. various celebrations during Chol Hamoed to bring out WHAT IS THE ‘ATZERET’ IN SHEMINI the joy of the festival even if it is not strictly Yom Tov. ATZERET? Hallel is still recited and musaf(the additional service) I am extremely grateful to Dayan Ivan and Mrs Rachie is recited just as on Shabbat and Yom Tov. It is in Binstock and Rabbi Ari and Mrs Rifki Shainfeld for the essence a Chol (secular) day yet it is also at the exact opportunity to write for your Tishrei publication and same time still a Moed (festival). for the amazing work they do, not only in St John’s So what message can this teach us? The message is as Wood but also in the wider United Synagogue follows. We live in a challenging age. How do we live community. our Torah lifestyle (kodesh) while existing in the From the perspective of the US Living & Learning secular world (chol)? We use the secret of Chol department and many rabbis, Dayan Binstock is a Hamoed – to imbue our daily secular lives with “rabbi’s rabbi” who is always available to guide us in kedusha (holiness). The ability to take the physical our work and provides practical help along with his world that we live in on a daily basis and sanctify it, scholarship. Mrs Binstock directs the MEP (Marriage whether by davening (praying) three times a day, Enhancement Programme) which helps brides and making brachot (blessings) on our food, or simply grooms prepare for the spiritual aspects of marriage. acting with derech eretz to all with whom we interact, It is a tremendously successful programme. This is gives meaning and kedushah (holiness) to our day and alongside the great activities which they run in your allows us to thrive as Centrist Orthodox Jews. community.

61 Rabbi Ari’s and Rifki’s creativity and dynamism are Jewish people, to the extent that 70 cows were greatly valued by their colleagues. In particular, I offered as sacrifices in the Temple on behalf of the 70 would like to thank them for their work with young nations of the world. Hashem said to the Jewish professionals and the fantastic way that they have led people, as if it were, that He wanted them to stay for the US Living & Learning ‘Newly Weds’ programme in an extra day so that there could be a special day of St John’s Wood. celebration just for the Jewish people, as the end of the festive season in the Beit Hamikdash was 'hard' St John’s Wood is a great community and thank you for Hashem and it was as if he wanted the Jewish for the support you provide to the US and to the people to be present to assuage that. This is the Jewish community in general. May you continue to ‘stopping’ that took place. go from strength to strength in the year ahead. Ramban (d. 1270) takes a view somewhat akin to that In this article, I would like to examine some ideas of Rashi. He writes that the word atzeret is also behind why we have Shemini Atzeret. It is a Yom Tov applied to Shavuot, the festival that begins in the 8th without any particular mitzvot or stand-out theme of week from the start of Pesach - you can already begin its own, unlike all of the other Yamim Tovim. Even to spot the parallel to Shemini Atzeret being on the though it immediately follows Succot, Shemini 8th day from the start of Succot. Atzeret is a festival in its own right, which strengthens the need for investigating its presentation in the Just as Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah. Torah, is a Chag (festival) which stresses the uniqueness of the relationship between Hashem and The Torah states in 23:36 '...on the eighth day, the Jewish people, expressed for example by the there is a holy time for you; you shall offer up fire covenant of the Torah, so too does Shemini Atzeret offerings to Hashem, it is an atzeret...' express this uniqueness, in distinction to the What does the word 'atzeret' mean and how does this universality of Succot. This chimes with Rashi’s relate to Shemini Atzeret being a festival in its own explanation of Shemini Atzeret as a day of special celebration for the Jewish people alone. S right? UCCOT

Here is how some of the mefarashim (commentaries) Rashi and Ramban also resonate with the view of the

explain this word: Talmud (Moed Katan 18a) which emphasises that Shemini Atzeret is a Chag independent of Succot by Onkelos (probably 1st century CE) and Rabbi Avraham dint of its own korbanot (offerings) described in the Ibn Ezra (d. 1167) write that atzeret means a piece we read from the Torah for on Shemini ‘gathering’, reflecting the special gathering of the day Atzeret (Bemidbar 29:35 - 30:1). It has its own at the Beit Hamikdash (Temple). offerings which, we may suggest, reflect its status as a day which represents the unique relationship of Rashi (d. 1105) rather than simply explaining the Hashem and the Jewish people. meaning of the word, offers a further explanation. He writes initially that atzeret means that Hashem Enjoy the prayers, meanings and opportunities of this ‘stopped’ us – similar linguistically to those 'atzur' day as the Chagim season moves towards its finale. stop signs on Egged buses which are from the same Chag Sameach! verbal root as atzeret. This means that Hashem Written by Rabbi Michael Laitner - Education Director of US stopped us from leaving the Beit Hamikdash Living & Learning, assistant rabbi at Finchley Synagogue immediately after Succot, when many pilgrims would already be in Jerusalem.

Rashi adds an additional, Midrashic point. Succot includes prayers for the entire world, not just for the

62 MELACHA ON YOM TOV even melachot which are permitted on Yom Tov such as cooking, baking or carrying. The Like on Shabbat, prohibition of Melacha (certain Rabbinic authorities however permitted types of work) applies. But where Yom-Tov requires preparing food for Shabbat on Friday, activity for the Yom Tov to become a time of Simcha provided an tavshillin is made in - happiness - then certain activities are permitted. advance. Activity which directly produces “natural enjoyment” for celebration of Yom Tov is permitted. On Wednesday before Yom Tov one should Natural, usual and general gratification of the senses select a small loaf of bread or a matzah and a are covered by the term "consumed by the soul" cooked food, customarily a hard-boiled egg. because gratification of senses should be elevated Take the food in your hands and recite the and sanctified by Yom Tov, but must be done in a way bracha Baruch ata ado-nai elo-hainu melech that conforms with ideas of Festival. Therefore, Ochel ha’olam asher kidshanu bemitzvotav Nefesh (the Biblical term "consumed by the soul"), vetzivanu al mitzvat eruv. Then make a refers almost exclusively to sense of taste. No work is statement, in a language you understand, permitted just to gratify smell, sight, hearing etc., as declaring that through this eruv it should be this is either just a refinement or artificial permissible to cook, bake, insulate food, light gratification. candles and do whatever else is necessary on Yom Tov for the sake of Shabbat. Therefore, the following Melachot are permitted on The two food items should be carefully stored Yom Tov: away for Shabbat. Once Shabbat arrives the eruv can be eaten. It is customary to use the  Preparation of food that could not be done loaf of bread as the second loaf for the first on previous day. two meals and again at the third meal at  If quality of food is improved by preparation which point it is eaten. on Yom Tov.  All food preparation that result in use of food Compiled by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld, St John's Wood Synagogue for that day only.  Slaughtering, breading, baking, roasting, cooking, grinding spices (that would otherwise lose flavour), kindling and burning, carrying, extinguishing if indispensable in preparation of food.  Activities forbidden - the rest of of Shabbat: e.g., ploughing, sowing, trapping, building and fashioning utensils, making cheese and butter.  Rabbinic prohibitions apply: o Things similar to Melachah - e.g., sharpening knives, producing fire. o Things that might lead to Melachah - e.g., feeding animals not yet caught.  Laws of Eruv Tavshillin: This year Rosh Hashanah, Succot and Shmini Atzeret (the last days of Succot) fall on Thursday and Friday. As a rule, on Yom Tov one is not allowed to prepare anything for Shabbat 63 YOUTH

THE MONTH OF TISHREI AND showing their intention to be seen. By exiting from the opposite gate we spend more time in the PILGRIMAGE presence of Hashem, demonstrating our respect for During the times of the on the Him. festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Succot, known as the three pilgrimages, Jews from all parts of Israel and Another explanation is given that after a person across the diaspora would make their way to the holy experiences a special moment of closeness to the city of Jerusalem. They would travel in groups and Master of the Universe, particularly when coming would bring animals as offerings, fruit from their from a holy place like the temple, the elevation is so tithes or money of that value if they lived to far away great that they cannot possibly remain on the same to carry the load. This special trip at these three spiritual level as before. Consequently the Jews who significant times of the year was a big Mitzvah when came up to Jerusalem for these pilgrimages were told the temple was still standing in Jerusalem. to use a different gate upon departure so that the holiness would leave them with a lasting impression.

This concept can be applied to the Hebrew month of Tishrei in which we are now. Having started from the beginning of last month, Elul, sounding the Shofar each morning, waking ourselves up and preparing for the forthcoming days of awe, getting up early each morning to say Selichot and plead for forgiveness, we can now enter this month of Tishrei on a greater level. The uplifting prayers of the High Holidays coupled with all the extra and special mitzvot of this month will take us onto an even higher level of holiness. Like the pilgrims of the temple, we too must allow the level of spirituality gained during the last few weeks In the book of the prophet Ezekiel we are told how to continue into the forthcoming year and hopefully the pilgrims were expected to enter the Temple we will leave this month on a higher level yet. courtyard when bringing these offerings. The verse Rewritten by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. Taken from Simchat Hachaim says “those who enter from the north gate to bow magazine with permission of Rabbi S. Freilich down to Hashem should leave using the south gate, and those who enter via the south gate should leave using the north gate”. The verse then concludes “one should not leave using the same gate through which he entered rather he should exit using the gate opposite”.

The commentaries explain that the reason for taking a different route is because the Torah commandment is to “appear” before Hashem. An appearance before Royalty must be in manner where the subject is

64 TRUE SENSE OF VALUES Carefully Rabbi Sonnenfeld examined the beautiful Etrog. It was truly a magnificent specimen. “There is Shortly before Rosh Hashanah a court case was a special feature added to mitzvah of the four species brought before the renowned Rabbi Yosef Chaim on Succot, to make it beautiful. A person is required Sonnenfeld of Jerusalem, may his memory be to give up to a third of his wealth in order to beautify blessed. It was a complex case and after much this mitzvah.” Rabbi Sonnenfeld then pointed out deliberation he ruled in favour of one of the parties. that this obligation referred only to a positive When the other side were told of the ruling against commandment. “However” he continued driving his them they became very angry. They stormed the point home “when it comes to a negative great Rabbi’s private residence hurling abuse and commandment ‘do not do…’ or a commandment curses at him. His family were taken aback and were related to behaviours between man and man, which distressed by the scene unfolding in their home. can result in the embarrassing or hurting others Several minutes into this unprovoked attack, feeling, there is NO limit!! You must be prepared to engrossed in his Torah studies and seemingly give away ALL your wealth in order to protect impervious to the surrounding activity, Rabbi someone’s sensitivities.” Sonnenfeld majestically arose from his chair. He was This story demonstrates the importance of being a tall and imposing figure and when he began to talk careful what we say to others and to remember our the room suddenly went quiet. “If your objection to true priorities. Selecting certain mitzvot over others my court’s ruling are correct then Hashem should whilst being unkind or unjust with another person is forgive me as I have only ruled on what I saw as being not the lifestyle of a good Jew. the right judgement. However…” continued the Rabbi then pausing for a moment or two to let his message Rewritten by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. Taken from Simchat Hachaim get through to the complaining family. He then raised magazine with permission of Rabbi S. Freilich his voice thundering across the small room. “If the ruling of my court is correct, I hereby announce that I completely forgive you for all the distress you have caused me and my family and I wish you a Happy New Year and that you should all be inscribed into the book of life along with all other righteous people.”

Not knowing where to turn or how to respond, the family slowly and with great reverence retreated out of the Rabbi’s home.

A few days later the main investigator of that group met the Rabbi whilst walking down the narrow streets of the old city of Jerusalem. Humbly he begged the rabbi for forgiveness for his unacceptable behaviour. Reassuring the now repentant man that he had already forgiven him, the Rabbi asked whether he had managed to purchase a nice Etrog for the upcoming festival of Succot. Smiling ofor the first time since he had met with the Rabbi, he produced a box from within a bag he was carrying and proudly showed the rabbi the Etrog that was inside. “It cost me a small fortune, in honour of the Mitzvah it’s going to be worthwhile!” he exclaimed. 65 KOL NIDREI NIGHT YONAH AND THE WHALE Everyone has now gathered in the Shul. Many men Many years ago there lived a great prophet named are wearing white robes ‘kittels’ and have their Tallit Yonah. One day Hashem spoke to Yonah. “Yonah, I draped over their heads as they fervently recite the want you to go to the city of Nineveh where there are words of the Zaka prayer asking Hashem for many terrible people who do many sinful things. Tell forgiveness and repenting for a year of mistakes. The them that they must repent and leave their wicked rest of the community is sitting silently waiting for the ways, for if not I will punish them and destroy the Chazzan to begin the Yom Kippur service, whilst entire city.” leafing through the Yom Tov books and reading insights into this holy night’s events. Others are Yonah was afraid. He did not want to go and warn the bad people of Nineveh. Therefore he decided, “I will asking their friends for forgiveness so they can begin leave Israel, far Hashem does not speak with prophets the year with a clean slate. outside of this holy land. This way Hashem will not tell One of the wardens approaches the Rabbis and me again to go to the people of Nineveh.” several elders of the community, inviting them to Yonah went to the port city of Jaffa, where all ships come forward to take a Torah scroll out of the ark. They then follow the Chazzan as he walks around the left Israel at the time. He found an anchored ship just Bimah singing verses with great devotion. Two of about to set sail. He raced over to its captain and them then stand on either side of the Chazzan on the asked, “where are you sailing to?” Bimah as he recites the Kol Nidrei prayer in the same “To a faraway place called Tarshish,” the captain moving, melodious tune as past years. answered.

“Wonderful!” Yonah exclaimed. “I will join you.”

It wasn’t long before the large ship set sail into the vast ocean with Yonah on board.

Suddenly a fierce wind began to blow, creating mighty waves and throwing the ship up and down. The people held onto the rails tightly and began screaming hysterically, “We are going to drown!”

Y

They began praying to their idols, “Please help us! OUTH Save us from drowning in this terrible storm!” they cried.

But of course the idols could not help them and the Throughout the year we only remove the Torah from storm grew stronger and stronger. It looked like the the ark when we are to read a Torah portion. But on ship would not hold out much longer. Another this night we go forward to the Torah as it is being minute, they would all be thrown into the sea. walked around the shul and kiss it, asking it for There was only one man who was not involved in all forgiveness for not having the true respect that the the noise and commotion. Yonah the prophet was Torah requires, for being disrespectful to the Torah by sleeping peacefully in his cabin. When the people not keeping the Mitzvot that are written in it. discovered him they began shaking him to wake up. Rewritten by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. Taken from Simchat Hachaim “Wake up!” they shouted and the captain added, magazine with permission of Rabbi S. Freilich “why are you sleeping now?! You must also pray!”

66 And that’s when someone noticed that all the other stopped and ocean became calm. The ship once again ships in the ocean were sailing peacefully. Their ship sailed peacefully. was the only one suffering from the storm. The ship’d passengers hurried to pull in the rope and “Someone on our ship must have done something bring Yonah back onto the ship. But as soon as Yonah bad!” he called out. “Look how all the other ships are touched the ship’s deck, the storm began once again. sailing with no problem at all!” “Oh no!” the people screamed. “We must throw The captain commanded all the ship’s passengers to Yonah into the water. Otherwise we will all drown!” write their name on a piece of paper. Then he gathered them all together and said, “the name that And so Yonah was thrown into the water and the ship appears on the paper that I will draw is the one who sailed peacefully once more. is to blame for what is happening to our ship.” The passengers and sailors all saw from this that As the people all stood around and watched, the Hashem controls the world. They left their idols and captain drew one paper. Lo and behold, the name began praying only to Hashem. that appeared was none other than ‘Yonah’. And Yonah? What happened with Yonah in the The passengers went to Yonah and asked, “Who are water? you? Have you done anything wrong to cause such a A big fish came up and swallowed him. Hashem sent terrible storm?” the big fish to save Yonah from drowning in the Yonah answered at once. “I am a Jew! I did not listen ocean. to Hashem when He told me to go and warn the Yonah sat comfortably in the fish’s stomach and people of Ninveh to repent.” thought, “How wonderful that Hashem sent this fish The passengers were very afraid and said, “Yonah, do and I did not drown!” you really think Hashem cannot see you outside of But Hashem did not want Yonah to be comfortable. Israel? Why don’t you listen to him? What should we He wanted Yonah to regret that he had left Israel, and do now to make the storm subside?” go back to warn the people of Nineveh.

“Throw me into the water and the storm will stop,” Hashem sent a smaller fish to swim next to the fish replied Yonah. that had Yonah in its stomach. Suddenly the big fish spit Yonah out of its stomach and the other fish quickly swallowed him up.

Inside this fish Yonah was very uncomfortable. “How can I get out of here?” he thought. “What a shame that I didn’t listen to Hashem!”

Yonah was very upset and began praying to Hashem. “Hashem!” he cried. “take me out of this fish and I promise to listen to you!”

Hashem heard his prayers and commanded the fish to spit Yonah out near the shore.

The people tied Yonah to a rope and slowly, slowly let him down into the water. All at once the violent storm

67 THE OTHER HALF There was once a man, who we shall call Petrovich who had a very simple son called Voitschek. Despite all Petrovich’s effort to teach Voitschek a trade he was unsuccessful. Voitschek was unable to understand what his father wanted and would just give him a blank look. Disappointed Petrovich would let Voitschek wonder around the streets hoping that eventually someone might offer him a job.

Voitschek was a happy go lucky type character and, although by no means bright, had a kind and gentle heart.

One day whilst walking down one of the dusty roads at the edge of the village, Voitschek heard a loud When Yonah was finally on dry land he looked up at banging noise coming from behind some buildings. the bright sun and took a deep breath. Possessing and inquisitive nature, he wanted to know The he heard Hashem calling to him, “Yonah, Yonah! what was making all this noise. Listening attentively Go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people that is he made his way climbing through an opening in they do not repent and leave their wicked ways I will between the buildings and stumbling down a narrow destroy their entire city!” winding path, trying to follow the direction of the sound in an effort to find its source. Yonah immediately obeyed. He went to Nineveh and walked through the streets, calling out “People on Eventually he came to a large clearing of what looked Nineveh! Repent and stop your wicked actions! If not, more like a yard servicing an industrial area. Plumes Hashem will destroy your whole city!” of greyish white smoke billowed into the air from a tall chimney on one of the factories like tufts of dirty The king of Nineveh sat in his palace and heard cotton wool floating into the pale blue autumn skies. Yonah’s call. He believed Yonah’s words and cried, There were many sheds and smaller buildings were “we have sinned against Hashem! We must repent or groups of men of all ages sat in the cool breeze on

Hashem will destroy our city!” overturned barrels eating and drinking whilst noisily Y laughing and talking during their lunch break. OUTH The king took of his royal clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes and sent messengers to inform all the In the far corner there was a constant banging sound people of the city, “upon orders from the king, you which got louder and louder as Voitschek approached must all fast for three days and repent for your wicked it. The battered metal door was closed but there was ways! Maybe Hashem will forgive us and not destroy a small window open behind strong steel grills. The our city!” unit looked very secure with metal bars on everything that looked like it could open and barbed wire around The people of Nineveh took the order to heart and the perimeter and rooftops. completely repented. Hashem forgave them and did not destroy the city. He peered thought the open window. This was the source of all the banging. Inside he could see a man Rewritten by Rabbi Ari & Rifki Shainfeld. Reprinted with permission from ‘Tell me the story of the year’. sitting on a high stool in front of a solid thick wooden table holding a hammer that was steadily and deliberately pounding a large silver bowl. Part of it was badly dented and the rest looked beautifully 68 smooth and shiny. Skilfully and patiently the “Oh” replied his father somewhat perplexed at the craftsman worked at the bowl until finally giving it a idea. “And where did you dream of this my dear boy?” good dose of special cream and a loving and caring rub with a soft chamois cloth, it shone brightly and Voitschek related to his father what he had witnessed that day and how he had seen the silversmith work. sparkled like a brand new product. "All I need is a shop, a hammer and some clean white Other items were lined up for the silversmith, cloths. But I can start off at home so you don’t need misshapen cutlery, dented goblets, bent and broken to rent a place to begin with”. candlesticks etc. He even had several Menorahs Petrovich, not wanting to disappoint his son bought which also needed attention and required repairing before the end of the year in time for Chanukah. It him a new hammer, some white cloths and even went was no wonder that the building was so fortified and to the expense of making a beautiful sign ‘Silversmith’, which he hung up on the front of his secure, after all there were many precious and door outside his house. Before long friends, relatives expensive items entrusted to the owner. and neighbours were bringing in items of broken and As he carefully attended to each item and brought it damaged silverware to Voitschek. He told them to back to its former splendour, he would hold it up for return in two weeks by when he hoped to have a moment, cherishing its beauty and enjoying his finished them. work of art. Then finally he’d wrap it up in a fresh clean cloth for its owner to collect. Voitschek was Prophetically speaking he did ‘finish’ them and for good! When they left he took out his brand new fascinated with what he saw and watched oblivious to the surrounding s for many hours. After a while a hammer and picked up an expensive and ornate bell sounded, a customer had arrived. The silversmith goblet which had a small dent on one of its sides. He clumsily dropped it, as strong as Voitschek was, he laid down his work and tools and slowly lowered was equally clumsy. Within a few moments and after himself to the floor. Having inquired who was at his workshop and what they wanted, he slid back a heavy some strong blows from his hammer, the goblet that iron bolt that kept the heavy door shut and let the had three dimensions had now only two. It was flattened paper thin and bore a closer resemblance to man inside. After a few moments of chatting the silversmith took out a small package and placed its an oversized glove. content, a shiny silver goblet, onto the table for his customer. ‘Amazing!’ he exclaimed ‘it’s simply unbelievable! I gave you a dirty old goblet that was so misshapen, it didn’t even resemble a cup at all, it looked more like a candlestick” he laughed out loudly. Extremely grateful he paid the amount asked by the silversmith and thanking him again profusely he returned the goblet to its cloth before placing it in a bag he had bought with him.

Voitschek didn’t wait any longer, he had seen enough. As quick as his legs would carry him he raced back home to his father. “Father! Father!” Voitschek called out. “I’ve found the work I want to do.” Satisfied with his work of art, he proceeded to go through the entire mornings items for repair, in the “What is it my dear son?” Petrovich asked him. same fashion. When all was ‘finished’ he carefully wrapped up each piece in a clean white cloth that his “I want to become a silversmith” father had purchased for him. Happy with the work

69 he had down, he sat down and poured himself a glass Not all items need to be flattened…..” of whiskey, which he downed in one. The Dubna Maggid explains that when people need Every day, some more people would unwittingly to improve their character, there are several stages. entrust their precious objects with him and simple The first stage is Teshuva, repentance, where one also Voitschek would give these the same treatment as asks for forgiveness and to have all traces of sin the earlier ones. Two weeks to the day he had opened removed from his soul. To do this we recite the Viduy his silversmiths shop, the first customer returned to confession on Yom Kippur and ‘bang’ our chests as we pick up his repaired item. “What was it you gave make each confession. Once we are fortunate enough me?” asked Voitschek. to be granted a complete forgiveness we must not remain complacent at that stage. We must then work “A goblet with an ornate engraving around it, it had a on our character and find ways to improve and better small dent in it. Do you remember?” asked the ourselves by doing mitzvot and good deeds and by customer. making use of the second part of this month of “Yes I do” replied Voitschek as he went to fetch a Tishrei. We must maximise the time to its fullest glove shaped flat piece of silver wrapped up in a nice potential using its abundance of mitzvot. white cloth. “Here you are” said Voitschek innocently If we merit to do so properly we will be like the true “nice and flat for you.” silversmith who does not do partial jobs leaving “What do you mean flat?!” thundered the customer. flattened pieces of silver. But one who continues with “All I asked of you was to take out the small dent from his craftsmanship and reproduces the item the way it the goblet, not to reshape it. How can I use a flat piece should be and returns it to its former glory and status. of silver to pour wine?” he challenged Voitschek in a Rewritten by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. Taken from Simchat Hachaim very agitated and angry tone. magazine with permission of Rabbi S. Freilich

“I’ve done my best Sir” replied Voitschek.

“What do you mean, your best?!” you’ve ruined my goblet, the customer responded.

“Well..well…uhm” Voitschek began to stutter. “Last week I saw a silversmith, you know the one at the end of town, working. He took a hammer and banged it on Y

OUTH the silver items as he worked and then he put them

into white cloths. His customers seemed very happy and that’s what I was copying and doing for you.”

The customer could see that Voitschek genuinely believed that he was doing the right thing, so he patiently set about explaining to him what the silversmith was really doing.

“What you saw in the silversmith’s workshop, was only part of a long process. Sometimes, certain items need to be flattened to get out all their dents and imperfections and for this a hammer is used to beat these out. But, once this part has been done, the silversmith needs to rebuild and restore the item to its former shape. 70 PINK PAPER CHAINS could utter a sound for several minutes. Mr Schwartz looked on at the two with a sense of deep Sam and Hannah were best friends; they lived in the satisfaction. Here were to young Jewish boys who of Manhattan, New York. Each year were enjoying themselves. “Now whilst you look after Rosh Hashanah they would look forward to around” Mr Schwartz began “I’m going to bring you Succot as they would go visiting the different Succot something to drink, it’s mighty hot outside and you in the neighbourhood on the afternoon of the first must be very thirsty.” Finally finding their tongues day of Yom Tov. Every Succah had a different story to they meekly answered in the affirmative. Mt tell. The exciting and varying Succah decorations Schwartz turned awkwardly and left the Succah. would inspire the pair with new ideas to incorporate in their own Succah at home. As they gazed in awe “He must be very old, maybe 99” whispered Sam, “I around the walls and the leafy ceiling, the Sechach, dunno, he sure does look old, but I don’t think that they would be offered sweets and chocolate. This was old. Anyway it was very kind of him to offer us a drink” the highlight of the visit! Carefully they would peel replied Hannah. “Hey!” shouted Hannah as she the wrappers and make the blessing out loud so that explored one of the corners of the Succah “look everyone could respond Amen before they’d pop the what’s hanging here”. “What is it?” asked Sam. “I’m treats into their mouths. not sure! Well I could see it’s a paper chain but it’s somewhat different” explained Hannah. “Come over One year Sam and Hannah decided to visit someone here”. Sam made his way over to the other side of the who for many years they has been a little frightened very big Succah where Hannah was standing looking of knocking at his door. Although they had seen him up at a very original decoration. “This one” she said every so often walking out of his house right at the pointing to a long pink chain. “Woow” Sam let out a end pf the block, they had considered that area to be long low gasp “It’s got writing on each link”. out of bounds for the weak hearted. Now that they were older boys they plucked up the courage and As the two of them tried to find a better view point to made their way to the end of the street. see what was written on the pink papers which formed the long chain, Mr Schwartz returned carrying It was a hot and humid Yom Tov afternoon and their a tray with a jug of juice and two glasses precariously small little hearts began beating faster as they neared balanced on top. Hannah and Sam tried to offer their the big house. Neither of them could really explain assistance but the elderly gentleman resolutely why they were so frightened but the excitement of refused. This was his mitzvah and nobody was seeing a new Succah that they had never visited allowed to take it away from him. before and the thought of a delicious candy erased any further seeds of doubt. Triumphantly the pair Just as the jug was about to fall down, Mr Schwartz knocked on Mr Schwartz’s big white wooden door, a managed somehow to give the tray and its content a moment or two later a smiling elderly Mr Schwartz safe landing. opened the door and welcome them inside. “I suppose you have come to see my Succah” he said “I can see that you like my Succah!” he began. “But, if warmly, “please come in I’m sure you’ll be very I am correct, you are looking at the chain, the pink happy, I’ve lots of chocolates and sweets” he one, and trying to work out what’s written on it!” continued reassuringly. “This way down the steps, Shuffling towards the end of the table, Mr Schwartz mind the last one, it’s a little low” he muttered to sat down on a wooden rocking chair and chuckled to them as he led the way towards a magnificent Succah himself. “Yah, all the little children look up at the situated in a huge garden at the back of the house. As decorations and this pink chain fascinates them.” Sam and Hannah entered, they could not believe their eyes, never had they seen such a beautiful Succah in all their lives. It was breathtakingly stunning, they were so entranced by what they saw that neither 71 “What’s written on it?” blurted out Sam, before Mr And so, week in week out, we would go from job to Schwartz had finished speaking. “I was just coming to job, working till we dropped, only to be fired at the that! A little patience never hurt anyone!” Mr end of the week when we refused to work on Schwartz Shabbat. continued with a warm smile Well, as the weeks, months and years passed, I breaking out on amassed over one hundred pink dismissal slips which I kept in one of my lockers. Eventually the Master of his face. “All the children ask the the Universe showed some pity for His children. same question America soon began to tolerate those who did not want to work on the Holy Shabbat and firms gradually and to tell you the truth, I give them accepted those who wanted to keep Shabbat. There the same were more schools and Torah academies for our children and grandchildren to go on the right way, in answer.” the way of Hashem. Mr Schwartz closed his eyes as if travelling back in I found work in one such a company that allowed me time. to keep Shabbat and my hard and conscientious work “Many, many years ago, perhaps more than sixty was rewarded as I was soon promoted to the position years ago, life in America was not as you know it of senior manager. Understandably, my wage packet today. It was a very hard and difficult one. There were grew in size and I was able to give my children a good no Jewish schools or Yeshivot, although one or two Jewish education. When several years later, the had just begun. Earning money was extremely owner, who was getting on in years and wanted to difficult, jobs were few and far. Those that were retire, offered his business to me I was delighted and available demanded that an employee work seven thanked Hashem for this wonderful opportunity. days a week. Anything less than that would not be With the time Hashem helped me to become a acceptable to the employer. successful businessman.

You can’t imagine, many, many families were After I moved into the new district with my family, I starving. There was no bread to put on the table. Little built this house and the Succah we are now in. Among children were crying from hunger, the temptation to my possessions that I bought from my previous home, take employment and work seven days, which meant was a box that I had put in my locker many years back

Y working on the holiest day of the week – the holy containing these pink slips. I decided that I would OUTH Shabbat, was far too great for some to resist. make these into a paper chain and hang them up as a

reminder about the importance of keeping Shabbat. There were however, a few like myself who would It will hopefully serve as an inspiration to my take a job on a Sunday, at the beginning of the week, grandchildren and all those who visit my Succah that and we worked very very hard to try and please our “Those who are careful to keep Hashem’s mitzvot will boss in the hope that we could get a day off – Shabbat become no harm” (). – in return. Friday afternoon we gingerly approached the boss, but before we had even managed to finish Rewritten by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. Taken from Simchat Hachaim stating our case, we would be at the receiving end of magazine with permission of Rabbi S. Freilich an angry tirade of abuse. Immediately a manager would come out and hand us a pink piece of paper which was our formal notice of dismissal. If we were lucky, we’d get pittance in respect of wages for the five and a half days hard work which didn’t get us far.

72 THE MESSAGE OF THE WILLOW BRANCH – THE ARAVA Etrog – Heart When the Torah tells us about the Mitzvah to take the four species on Succot it gives each of these species a special explanatory name. The citrus fruit, the Etrog is referred to as the ‘fruit of a beautiful tree’, the palm branch, the Lulav ‘branches of a date palm’, the myrtle branch, the Hadas ‘boughs of thick trees’ and the willow branch, the Arava ‘willows of the brook’.

The great Polish Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai Alter Lulav – Spine from Gur (1866-1947) points out that the Torah uses descriptive names for three of the four species but only the willow is mentioned by its name. He quotes the rabbinic Midrash which tells us that each of the four species represent a part of the body, that their shape resembles. The Etrog resembling the heart, the Lulav a spine, Hadasim the eyes and the Aravot a mouth.

Each of these physical components must be used to elevate ourselves, as King David said “with all my bones I praise Hashem”. Hadas – Eye

The message of the Arava is however different. The mouth has a tremendous power. A person’s strength lies in his mouth. The strength of the nation of Israel is and always has been not our physical power or military might, but rather our power of prayer and Torah study. Similarly we could use our mouths to encourage others to study more Torah, to pray with more intensity, to speak to others kindly, all of which Arava – Mouth increase the success of the Jewish people.

“When the voice of Jacob is effective, then the hands of Esau are ineffective”

It is for this reason that the Torah singled out the Arava and mentions it by name, to emphasise the power it possesses.

Rewritten by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld. Taken from Simchat Hachaim magazine with permission of Rabbi S. Freilich

73 A CHASID’S TALE and glory R’ Abish's pure and holy tears and sweet songs of joy tore at his embittered heart and It's a Yom Kippur story, it's a Succot story. It's clever disturbed any hope he could have of concentrating on and it's holy. As we celebrate both of these holidays his own prayers. Enraged he called a town meeting this week and we strive to experience the essence of right after the holiday and demanded that this non- these special holidays then there's nothing better dues paying element be put out of the town. than a good story to give us something to aim for. A Although not many empathized with R’ Berel yet the Chasidic one of course. Is it true? Does it make a shul knew only too well that it was he who was paying difference? Its soul certainly is. for the building, the Rabbi and the cantor and the R’ Abish was a poor man. Every town in Europe had pizza shop too (sorry I couldn't resist) as well as them. The schnorrers, the beggars, always asking for patronizing their stores or employing them and a few kopecks. Sleeping on the benches in the back of providing of their incomes. So when he demanded the synagogues, sitting on the street corners. But R’ that come the holiday of Succot R’ Abish be turned Abish was different. He was a man that although away from everyone's home, they reluctantly agreed. never had anything to put on his table and didn't Yet R’ Abish Chasid wasn't going anywhere. As he saw know when the last time he had a new pair of shoes that he was being turned down for Succot invitations or clothing. They were both patched up on top of and the holiday was drawing near, he realized he their already worn patches. Yet what made R’ Abish would have to build his own Succah. But no one in different, or R’ Abish Chasid as he was known, was town wanted to be the one to go up against Berel. that he had a smile posted on his face forever. In fact With no choice but with the smile of hope and faith it may be fair to say that that not only may he have on his face he made his way to the local Jewish been the poorest man in town but he was certainly cemetery, the one place where he knew Berel the happiest. "How can I not be happy? There is avoided and didn't hold power. Yankele (what story nothing I don't have that is not a miracle and a gift would be good without a yankele) the caretaker from my loving Father" was his catch phrase and he didn't care much for R’ Berel after all he knew that lived that special reality. one day Berel despite all his wealth would end up- so Yet like all Jewish towns there were unfortunately to speak- in his hands. Yet the only wood he could some unhappy people as well. More often than not, spare was the old coffin planks Jewish stars and the unhappy and even slightly neurotic were more memorials and all for his precious Succah walls. For R’ found in the homes of those who were from the more Abish though these were truly trees of life and

Y affluent in the shtetl. As the mishna in Avot suggests another wonderful Divine gift. OUTH more wealth = more worries. And as towns went R’ As R’ Abish sat there in his Succah rejoicing in his hut Berel perhaps the wealthiest and most influential was fulfilling the primary essence of this holiday of Joy his certainly the grumpiest. Always worried about losing voice rang out in song. His Kiddush soared through his money and even more paranoid about dying and the night and his simple meal was like manna from leaving it all behind, R’ Berel was not a happy camper. heaven. Until his reverie was disturbed by the angry Needless to say he didn't like R’ Abish much as well. entrance of his self-proclaimed nemesis Berel as he In fact he did everything possible to rid the city of him. stormed into his hut. "How do you celebrate" Berel "How dare he walk around with that smile? Who does demanded. "Where did you get this Succah?!" he think he is? What does he have to be happy about?" It was eating him up alive. With a smile and a sigh R’ Abish took R’ Berel's hand and began to tell him. The High Holiday season was probably the hardest for R’ Berel. As he sat up there in his respected spot on "My friend R’ Berel this Succah I have I received form the eastern wall praying and hoping that he might the Angel of Death. You see I was walking to find survive this coming year and maintain all his wealth some wood with perfect faith that my Father in 74 heaven would not forsake me. And I met the angel of peace and Simcha of a simple hut whose roof is under Death who looked like he was on his way to carry out the stars is if we first appreciate and achieve that a mission. When I asked him where he was going he feeling of holiness and closeness to our loving and said that he was making his way over to your house- forgiving Father in heaven who just wants his children to your palace. He said that God in Heaven had to be one with each other and one with Him. On Yom enough of the way you were treating me and the Kippur that feeling of returning and that incredible other indigent in town and that your time had come cleansing power of forgiveness and atonement allows to pay for your misdeeds. I pleaded with him on your us to soar like angels. It is then with that newfound behalf. I explained that you were unhappy because lease and perspective that we can bring that back you were missing the joy of appreciating that all our down to earth and smile and rejoice in the true gifts are not our own but rather gifts from Hashem. beauty and gift of our lives renewed. That you can't be blamed, because you have never experienced true Simcha; true happiness. I have May each and every one of you be blessed with a Happy and Healthy sweet New Year and may all be forgiven for all he has done to me should not my Father do so as well? inscribed in the book of life filled with goodness. Written by Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz – Karmiel, Israel As the Angel relented and made his way off I asked him to leave me the tools of his trade the walls of death that would've surrounded you. Let me make them into walls of joy. Let them become walls of Mitzvah.

And as R’ Berel whose heart had been hard and stubborn for so long slowly began to smile touched by the Chasid. Moved by his forgiveness, R’ Abish Chasid took his hand and said.

"Let us dance my friend, let us smile, together my brother. For this holiday is for all of us please share in my meal of joy it's no celebration all alone."

We are approaching these Holy Days. Days of Awe and Days of Joy. Hopefully none of us have been as cruel as R’ Berel to our fellow man. But have we been as faithful and pure as R’ Abish? Can we stand before our loving Father who has given us all our blessings and say that we have done what he asked of us this year? Have we acknowledged Him? Or have we treated Hashem, who only wants to join us in our homes in joy and in holiness, as shabbily as R’ Abish Chasid was treated.

Are there those out there that we should perhaps be forgiving to? Are there those we need to say we're sorry to but are too scared of coming clean? Of the thought that we may not be able to become clean.

It is no coincidence that Succot follows Yom Kippur. For the only way that we can truly experience the 75 INSIGHTS

A NEW STRAIN OF ANTI-SEMITISM IS Throughout my first year in office as Chief Rabbi I have been questioned about anti-Semitism during ON THE RISE almost every interview I have given. For a number of The boundary is being blurred between fair criticism reasons, however, anti-Semitism is not my favourite and hatred in a thin disguise subject. Firstly, it is immensely painful, a record of thousands of years of hatred and persecution. On Sunday a rally will take place in London to demand Secondly, it is intensely emotive and is often confused zero tolerance of anti-Semitism. Why is this with other issues, including anti-Zionism. Israel as a necessary? On March 19 2012, a teacher and three subject will always lead to impassioned debate. pupils were killed in a terrorist attack at the Ozar Hatorah in Toulouse. For days, Thirdly, while anti-Semitism is the darkest part of the speculation was rife about the identity and Jewish experience, it does not define us as Jews, nor motivation of the perpetrator. determine our relationship with others.

Initially, many presumed that the killer came from the Judaism has contributed significantly to civilisation. extreme Right. After all, the strengthening of Jewish history and tradition is rich and vibrant. This extremist elements in the midst of a faltering deserves attention, more than the negative European economy has fuelled anti-Semitism. Or, we stereotypes that have been applied to Jews. The wondered, perhaps the attacker subscribed to neo- analytical, self-critical, discursive and ethical Nazi ideology, or was influenced by radical Islam. traditions of Jewish thought have had much more to Whatever the motivation, it seemed sadly clear that, offer the world than the tragic story of anti-Semitism. even in the 21st century, the old aims of Hitler had not vanished from the continent of Europe. Finally, I am wary of alarmism. While we are understandably concerned about anti-Semitism now, Then the perpetrator was identified as Mohammed it would be an exaggeration to draw comparisons Merah, a 23-year-old French petty criminal, of with the past. Having said that, we need to Algerian descent. Merah said that he attacked the acknowledge that the problem of anti-Semitism is Jewish school because “the Jews kill our brothers and today pronounced and causing deep anxiety among sisters in Palestine”. This transformation of the Jewish people across Britain and worldwide. Israeli-Palestinian political conflict into something more sinister, and even religious in nature, has There is no doubt that the Hamas-Israel conflict has produced what some refer to as the new anti- served as a significant trigger point for the current Semitism. spike in incidents.

Anti-Semitism may well be the oldest and most Impassioned criticism of Israel is not intrinsically anti- persistent social pathology, what historian Robert Semitic. In many cases, however, the current conflict Wistrich calls “the longest hatred”. But this ancient has been used as a pseudo-legitimate medium for enmity is now being expressed in new ways. latent anti-Semitism to be expressed.

Whereas anti-Semitism in Europe was connected It is sometimes claimed that the anti-Semitism card is primarily to extreme Right-wing nationalist groups, played to stifle debate about the Middle East. I am today Jews are being hit from all sides. entirely in favour of debate, but to be credible, it must be open, honest, contextualised and untainted by irrational hatred or misinformation. After all, debate 76 on Israeli government policy is the most popular been described as the canaries in the coal mine for national sport in the vibrant democracy that is Israel. Western civilisation: when we begin to suffer from Why? Israelis love a good argument, but more poisons in the atmosphere, others would be wise to importantly, many Israeli government decisions are take note. life-and-death choices with existential consequences Written by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. for the tiny Jewish state.

However, in expressing strong views about Israel some people do not realise the extent to which they draw upon myths, images, fears and expressions that have a long and ugly history. Others knowingly and deliberately draw upon such rhetoric and upon the history of vile persecution. How can anyone attempt to justify disgraceful placards the like of which we have seen in pro-Gaza demonstrations in London proclaiming “Hitler should have finished the job”, or “Death to the Jews”?

What particularly saddens me is that, at present, it is not only Jews who are under attack because of their faith. Many forms of bigotry appear to be on the march at once. Our deep concerns and prayers are with the Christians and Yazidis in Iraq. Christians in Africa are also under threat. Minorities are being singled out and targeted, often receiving little coverage and attention, which is surprising given the nature and magnitude of the threat and suffering being faced.

The values of our free society are being challenged. The boundary between what is deemed acceptable criticism and what is essentially anti-Semitism is being blurred, serving only to accommodate the latter.

We are fortunate in Britain that the fight against anti- Semitism and all forms of racism has been led by successive governments, the police forces and other faith groups with the support of the overwhelming majority of the public. I have been heartened by the many messages of support I have received from non- Jewish members of the public, who have been horrified by the hatred that has reached our streets. These voices should not be drowned out by a loud and violent minority.

Anti-Semitism stigmatises innocent people, legitimises hatred, breeds intolerance and is an open invitation to “permissible persecution”. Jews have

77 WHEN PEOPLE LOSE FAITH IN GOD generation. “Scratch an altruist,” said Michael Ghiselin, “and watch a hypocrite bleed.” THEY LOSE FAITH IN HUMANITY ALSO It’s decidedly odd. The higher human scientific Our very existence, they say, is mere accident. Our achievement has risen, the lower human self-esteem evolution was random. The nature that begot us is has sunk. I can find only one explanation. When blind. If we were to go back in time and replay the people lose faith in God they lose faith in humanity evolutionary process there is no guarantee, not even also. a probability, that Homo sapiens would emerge.

Consider the past five centuries. First came All this was being said and thought while human Copernicus and Kepler and Galileo and taught us that beings were achieving what no other life form has the earth, our habitation, is not at the centre of the ever achieved, what no previous generation of universe. It is not even at the centre of the solar humans even thought possible. system. So, the higher our scientific achievement, the lower Then it got worse. The solar system is only the tiniest our self-evaluation. We act like angels; we see part of a galaxy of perhaps a hundred billion stars. The ourselves as worms. Sometimes you have to be very galaxy is only the tiniest part of the universe, with a intelligent indeed to believe so foolish a proposition. hundred million other galaxies. The planet we once Yes we are part of nature, but we also have culture. thought so vast is mere dust on the surface of infinity. Yes our acts have causes, but they also have Then came Spinoza and told us that freewill is an purposes, ones we freely imagine and freely choose illusion. We are physical. All things physical are to bring about. Yes, religion consoles us for our fate, subject to natural causes. The connection between but it also moves us to believe that with God’s help cause and effect is necessary. Therefore there is no we can change it. Hence the Christians, Jews and freedom except the consciousness of necessity. others who fought to abolish slavery then, global poverty now. Then came Marx and told us that the most sacred of human activities, religion, was an instrument Yes we are part of the Darwinian family of life. designed by the rich to keep the poor in their place by Ecclesiastes said so: “a man hath no pre-eminence telling them that their suffering is the will of God. above a beast: for all is vanity.” We can all feel that way on a rainy Thursday afternoon. But a mood is not Then came Darwin and said that there is nothing a truth. different in kind about being human at all. We are not the image of God. We are close cousins of the apes. No animal painted the bonobo equivalent of the Sistine chapel ceiling. No animal said, “To be or not to Then came Freud and said that our highest instincts be.” No animal philosophized that he or she might be are really our lowest. Long ago the children of the nothing more than a hairy human. No animal was

I tribe banded together to kill their father, the alpha even an atheist, as far as I know. We may share many NSIGHTS male, so that they could take his place. Eventually of our genes with the primates, as we do with fruit they were haunted by guilt – he called it the return of flies and yeast, but I still can’t see the family

the repressed – and that is what religion is. He called resemblance. it the obsessional neurosis of mankind. I draw the opposite conclusion. As Jews prepare for Then came the neo-Darwinians of our time to tell us Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, when we stand that we are selfish genes and everything that looks before God in judgement and ask for his forgiveness, like idealism, virtue and nobility of character is in fact I know that we can do what no other life form can do. just a gene’s way of replicating into the next We can say, “I did wrong.” All that lives, acts. Only we

78 can express remorse for our acts. Only we can resolve coaxed them out of their beds into wheelchairs to to change. play games, competing with the hospital staff whom he also put in wheelchairs. We are small but capable of greatness, selfish but often selfless, dust of the earth but also the image of For the patients there was pain at every step of the God. When I have faith in God I find that I recover my way. Yet in the film you could see them coming, at faith in humanity as well. first slowly and reluctantly, then joyously, back to life. For Guttmann too there was pain, of a different kind. Written by Rabbi Lord Sacks. First published in The Times (10- He was opposed by everyone: the nurses, his fellow Sep-2010). Reprinted with permission. doctors, the hospital administrators. They said he was attempting the impossible. At one point another DOCTOR WHO URGED DISABLED TO doctor accused him of failing to see that they were cripples who would never lead a normal life. Who did CHOOSE LIFE he think they were? Guttmann looks at him and says, Apart from the Paralympics themselves, for me the “The best of men.” most moving moment of an extraordinary summer was the BBC film, “The Best of Men,” about the So with absolute determination he and the person who inspired the games, the late Dr Ludwig paraplegics kept going through all the setbacks, Guttmann. It is a story of hope rescued from several agonies, disappointments and inner conflicts. kinds of despair. Guttmann understood that in this struggle, sport had transformative power. He extended the internal Guttmann was a refugee from Nazi Germany. Born games within the hospital to a national competition, into an orthodox Jewish family, by 1933 he was and then in 1948 to an international one parallel to Germany’s leading brain surgeon. Then Hitler came to the Olympics. Slowly it grew until in 1960 the first power and in 1939 he came to Britain where his skill Paralympics took place in Rome, culminating in the in neurology led to his being asked by the government one we have just seen with 4,200 athletes from 164 to set up the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke countries. Mandeville hospital, which he did in 1943. That is how one man helped transform life for many. At that time it was assumed that paraplegics would I do not know how much his approach had to do with never be able to live any kind of normal life. The best his experience or faith as a Jew. Was it his six years that could be done for them was to keep them under Nazi rule in Germany when Jews, like sedated by high doses of drugs, and left hospitalized paraplegics, were regarded as non-persons? Was it and bed-ridden until they died. his belief that every human being has a soul as well as a body, and however injured the latter, the former Guttmann was appalled. He believed that they each can still fly? Was it simply the echo within him of had a life ahead of them, not just behind them. With Moses’ great command: “Choose life”? faith and determination, they could leave their beds, go out into the world, have jobs, marry, find One way or another, his inspiring story, told before happiness and the dignity of achievement. The film the Jewish High Holy Days, made me think that tells how, by sheer will and unshakable obstinacy, he perhaps God is trying to do for us what Guttmann did gave paraplegics back their life. for his patients. He sees that, in our souls if not our bodies, we are injured. Our spiritual muscles are It was an immense struggle for him and them. He atrophied through lack of use. We bear the scars of reduced their painkillers, made them sit up, and bruising experiences of the world. Yet year after year brought in a trainer to make them do exercises. He we and those around us accept our condition, got the nurses to get the patients tell them their life spiritually bed-ridden yet so sedated by a relentlessly stories reconnecting with their hopes and dreams. He secular society that we do not even feel the pain. 79 God does not let us lie there. He tells us to sit up, get From a Jewish perspective, religious practice is less out of bed, and exercise our soul even though it hurts. about everyone fulfilling a fixed set of rituals and He coaxes us out of our comfort zone. And though we prayers, and more about gaining personal insight, fail time and again, like Dr Guttmann, God never gives sensing the magnificent presence of Hashem, up on us until, through prayer and ritual and service celebrating self- and people-hood, building a just to others, we slowly come alive. In this game there society, and, through the holy books, understanding are no medals and no losers, but by taking part we the ways and thoughts of the divine. Prayer, ritual and learn to live and breathe more deeply until, in the study are important tools in achieving these life goals, end, we find ourselves lifted to a greatness we never which are identical for both genders. Yet innate knew we could achieve. gender distinctions mean that men and women experience their relationship with the divine Written by Rabbi Lord Sacks. First published in The Times (22- differently. Sep-2010). Reprinted with permission.

It is well known that Jewish religious life focuses on RELIGIOUS INEQUALITIES BETWEEN the home. It is primarily here, rather than in the GENDERS synagogue, that traditional practices are properly experienced and Jewish values are transmitted to the An Orthodox Jewish perspective next generation. In the home, as in most areas of ‘We must ensure that we celebrate our Jewish life, men and women are afforded complete differences rather than exploit them, and equality. However, in some aspects of public ritual, recognise that even the slightest there is an obvious gender disparity in traditional unexplained gender distinction may seem Jewish communities. In Orthodox synagogues, most insensitive and even alienating' ritual performance, including reading from the Torah, The Jewish world has always included brave and is led by men. spirited thinkers who promoted equality of These distinctions are rooted in a profound opportunity even in the most inequitable of times, understanding of the genuinely different spiritual reflecting a strong and authentic stream of ancient needs of men and women, yet play successfully to Jewish wisdom. Yet the same wisdom rejects the their shared need to commune with Hashem; as such, notion that we all have the same spiritual needs. they serve a valuable and timeless function. For Though this is especially unpopular in the realm of example, Jewish worship incorporates the reality that gender, failure to recognise difference prevents us men and women experience the socialising impact of from celebrating our innate strengths and risks group worship differently. The creation of a robbing religious life of much of its subtlety. traditional prayer quorum (which is defined first by The notion that self-awareness and perception of the ten men and only then augmented by other men and world commonly differ between men and women is women) forces competitive, often self-focused males,

I something that every adult experiences and grapples to regularly function as members of a harmonious co- NSIGHTS with in day-to-day life, even though it falls outside the operative, in ways that women often do intuitively. ambit of "acceptable" beliefs for contemporary

However, while it would be a mistake to equate a Westerners. These differences are not good or bad, religion, especially Judaism, with the conduct of its but a reality; acknowledging them strengthens formal prayer services, as the public face of a faith, society. Of course, there's no "one size fits all" even they are often assumed to characterise its attitude to within genders; Judaism recognises the uniqueness of important issues. In this context, I acknowledge that each individual both before Hashem and Man, and part of the gender imbalance in religious life may validates each personal spiritual quest. reflect the sharply-defined gender distinctions of the past, which are, perhaps, shaded by a hint of

80 misogyny. The Jewish world, like all traditional faith After two weeks in hiding a leading Hamas societies, is innately conservative; this means that commander came out of his bunker and saw the change happens slowly and only after much debate unfortunate destruction in Gaza so he declared ‘ this and careful reference to time-honoured sources and is our victory for all the world to see…’ processes. Yet distinguishing genuine, ageless realities from some of these inequities and ironing I agree with Robin, never pick a fight with someone them out where possible must be an important who has nothing to lose. But here are we the ones picking the fight? Or are we the ones being bullied? aspiration of every vibrant, forward-thinking religious society. It is a privilege to be part of that process in Are we the victims? Aren’t we being forced against my own community - I have pioneered advanced our deepest wishes to be the hands of this Jewish scholarship for women for many years and I manipulative monster called Hamas? regularly guide communities on gender boundaries in So how do we end this war against monsters who ritual life - and encourage others to engage with it have nothing to lose? I don’t know. But that’s not the So a cautious "yes": it is right, albeit within carefully- question I want to tackle today. defined parameters, for religions to treat men and There is another war taking place and that is the war women differently. We must ensure that we on the streets of the capitals of the world – Paris – celebrate our differences rather than exploit them, Frankfurt – Chicago – South Africa – Canada - Belgium and recognise that even the slightest unexplained and here in London. And there’s a growing sense of gender distinction may seem insensitive and even alienation and anxiety in Jewish communities right alienating. Sometimes, the greatest challenge is to across the globe, a sense that there are so many struggle with the dissonance between tradition and forces united against Israel. modernity. Acknowledging nuanced gender distinctions benefits us all and, when treated with On the notice board in the Bet Midrash someone sensitivity, remains one of the great strengths of earlier this week posted an article written by a Jewish religious life. woman here in London who is scared for the first time in her life to walk the streets of London. To be caught Written by Rabbi Harvey Belovski – Golders Green Synagogue walking out of a bagel shop because it associates her

with her Jewishness… On the phone yesterday my OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE AND Mum told me not to wear my if we go on WORLD JEWRY holiday, to wear a cap instead…. In the past few months we have seen the agony of So the question arises, what is our response at a time human suffering and loss of life on all sides. I feel it like this? How do we deal with it? How do we find our may be appropriate to quote at this stage another way forward? wholly inappropriate line from the now deceased comedian Robin Williams. He said “Never pick a fight I’d like to share with you the very wise words of Chief with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose”. Rabbi Warren Goldstein of South Africa. He shared his thoughts in a YouTube clip he posted last week. If you In this war, I don’t know what the end is. I don’t think have not yet seen it I strongly recommend looking it anyone does. When fighting against barbaric terrorist up after Shabbat. organisations like Hamas. Who’s value for human life is not zero, it’s negative… Who’s entire strategy is He says that the answer lies in a very important and ‘How many innocent lives can we force Israel to kill to relevant verse in the Torah. The Torah provides a make us look like victims in the eyes of the world, and framework, a framework of values and a framework if we ourselves need to kill a few of our own along the of guidelines that Hashem gave us thousands of years way… well then…. He’s a Shahid, a martyr.’ ago to guide us on how to deal with this very crisis

81 today. Because it’s no new a new phenomenon, this making a selection. The older one was making some is as old as we are… recommendations. But they seemed to be looking for something more. The passage in the Torah is when the people are going out to war and it’s describing the laws of battle and One of them said "I want something that will connect the Cohen would read out to them a passage to me more to Hashem... something that will teach me encourage them. He would say to them “al yerach more about Shabbat... about prayer... This is my first levavchem, al tiru, al tachpezu, al taarzu day back from the war and after the miracles I saw mipneyhem”. Which means in four different ways, do and the spirituality that I personally experience for not be afraid, do not panic, do not be broken in front the first time being in those trenches of Gaza. I know of them. The cohen was calling on the soldiers to have that I need more. I know that there's someone up an inner strength to be able to confront the enemy. there, that has been waiting for 22 years for me to talk to Him...to come Home..." A major battle strategy in those times was to make lots of noise, banging clanking, screaming, all to The other Chayal wanted something more about intimidate and cast fear in the enemy. So the cohen Chasidut. He was introduced to the joy of Judaism says before going out to battle, don’t be intimidated. while dancing before going out to battle with some Breslavers."I have never felt such inner joy But beyond the physical battlefield there is the before...and trust me I've had a lot of "fun" in my life. battlefield of ideas and that is what we’re But this was something special. Something experiencing right now, an intimidation, all of the real...something I think I need as part of my life." noise the news broadcasts, the protests, the hate speech on social the media all of that is an attempt to Rabbi Schwartz, fascinated by this exchange decided intimidate us and to instil fear into the hearts of every to walk around to a few more book stores in the mall single Jew across the world. and he discovered that in almost all of them there were chayalim around the same area of books. And what is our response, our response is clear. As the Cohen told our troops in ancient times ‘al tirau, ki In a time of difficulty, in a time of war our young Hashem elokeichem imachem’ – Do not fear because soldiers are reaching out to their roots, to Hashem, the Lord your God is with you. And so we must not be longing for that connection to keep them from their afraid because Hashem is with us. That means that fears. we need to deepen our faith at times like this. It does not mean everything will always work out the exactly This week's Torah portion Eikev speaks for itself. I way we want it to, it means that we are in His hands, don’t need to write a sermon. Moses in this last speech of his to our forefathers right before they in His hand is our destiny and we take comfort from entered the land of Israel wrote it for me and I quote, that. directly from the parasha.

I’m on the mailing list of Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz in I

NSIGHTS Israel and this week he told the following story. He Vehaya Eikev Tishmeun, "And it will be, because you will heed these ordinances and keep them and was in the Azrielli Towers mall in Tel-Aviv with his perform them, that the Lord, your God, will keep for family, him and his son were sitting in Steimatsky reading whilst his wife and daughters where running you the covenant and the kindness that He swore to your forefathers And He will love you and bless you around the shops in the sales. In walked three young chayalim made their way over the section of the floor and multiply you... that we had occupied and started browsing the Will you say to yourself, "These nations are more "religious/spiritual books". numerous than I; how will I be able to drive them out"? You shall not fear them. You shall surely The soldiers, two of them non-kippa wearing and one older one with a kippa- seemed to be having difficulty remember what the Lord, your God, did to Pharaoh 82 and to all of Egypt. The great trials that your eyes saw, Ki im leyirah… "Only to fear the Lord, your God, to the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to worship outstretched arm with which the Lord, your God, the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all brought you out. So will the Lord, Your God, do to all your soul." the peoples you fear... So that’s the middle of the sermon. And finally at the You shall not be terrified of them, for the Lord, your end of the parasha… God, Who is in your midst, is a great and awesome "But your eyes, which have seen all the great work of God. the Lord, which He did. [Therefore] keep all the So that’s the beginning of the sermon, But then commandments that I command you this day, in Moshe continues... order that…………."

"Beware that you do not forget the Lord, your God, "You may be strong and come and possess the land to by not keeping His commandments, His ordinances, which you are crossing, to possess it, and in order that and His statutes, which I command you this day, lest you may prolong your days on the land that the Lord you eat and be sated, and build good houses and swore to your forefathers to give to them and to their dwell therein, and your herds and your flocks seed a land flowing with milk and honey." multiply, and your silver and gold increase, and all We have Israel in peace, when we keep the Torah. that you have increases, and your heart grows haughty, and you forget the Lord, your God... That is the content of Moses’s sermon.

"And you will say to yourself", Kochi veotzem yadi… So as long as we can stand before Hashem with a clear "My strength and the might of my hand that has conscience that we are doing what Hashem asks of us, then we have that piece of mind and spirit to cope accumulated this wealth for me." with all of the criticism, the intimidation, the bullying Beware of that! tactics and the hate speech that we are seeing around the globe today in all of our communities. You must remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you strength to make wealth, in order to We are living in truly amazing times. For over 2000 establish His covenant which He swore to your years we have waited for our chance our opportunity forefathers, as it is this day. to once again return to our land... To rebuild... rededicate... re-conquer... and fix the mistakes of our You shall know that, not because of your past. righteousness, the Lord, your God, gives you this land to possess it; for you are a stiff-necked people. Am Our brave soldiers who have ‘seen all the great work keshay oref of the Lord’ in our victories. They have come looking for Him. Their souls seek to remember, to connect to Right?! We were sinners, we worshipped the golden be one. We are removing the foreskins of our hearts. calf, the sin of the spies, the longing for the food they Even in the malls of Tel Aviv. The time is now. We are had in Egypt… writing the final chapter. The happily ever after is on Moshe says "You have been rebelling against the Lord the next page. since the day I became acquainted with you." So let’s not be afraid, let us all finish the book "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord, your God, together. demand of you?" Sermon by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld, delivered during Operation Protective Edge 2014 What are we supposed to do???! This is it, Moses is going to tell us the answer….

83 THE DEFINITION OF A MITZVAH There is a question which is probably the single most Sermon delivered by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld, Parshat , controversial question one can ask about Jewish life. August 2013 ‘What is the definition of the word Mitzvah?’ How Scholars of language will tell you that there is no such one understands this word will define its authority thing as an ‘exact’ translation; every translation is, at and place in how one lives. Parshat Ki Teitzei best, an interpretation or an approximation of the challenges us to think about the meaning of mitzvah original. speakers often introduce their and the role mitzvot play in our lives. favourite joke with the proviso ‘it’s going to be lost in Mitzvah is one of the most common Hebrew words in translation’ Jewish life and culture. We talk about Bar and Bat A young boy once came onto a crowded bus, all the Mitzvah. We thank others when they perform ‘a seats where full, he stood in front of a seated elderly mitzvah,’ for us, and, of course, the word pops up woman and holding his arms to his chest he said again and again in our great literature. The sages are “Excuse me Mam but if you knew what I had you’d constantly counting mitzvot in the Torah and arguing give me your seat.” Too embarrassed to ask what it about their interpretation. Even non-Jews know the was he had, the elderly woman quickly got up and let word Mitzvah; It has even made its way into the the boy sit down. Oxford English Dictionary.

It was a very hot day so the, now standing, elder But what does mitzvah actually mean? woman takes out a fan from her handbag and starts The word never appears in Ki Teitzei but this Torah fanning herself. The boy looks up and says with his portion along with the preceding parshiot, contain a arms still crossed on his chest and the most sincere collection of the ‘mitzvot’ that Moses presented to expression on his face “if you knew what I have, you’d the people at Sinai and again at the Jordan River. let me borrow that fan.” The elder woman of course gives him the fan and looks at him with pity all the There are 72 mitzvot in parshat Ki Teitzei, more than while wondering to herself, ‘what in the world does in any other parasha in the Torah. They address every this boy have? It must be pretty bad’ she thinks. aspect of life: how we act in times of war and of peace, at home and in a place of business, how we The bus turns a corner, the boy says thank you and dress, cut our hair and build a house. We are not only gets up. He approaches the driver and says “please told what to do with a condemned criminal’s body could you drop me off over here.” and how to handle lost property, but how to lend “Sorry says the driver you are just going to have to money and to put tassels, , on our garments. If wait until the next stop.” The boy now clutching his there is a common denominator for all these ‘mitzvot’ chest harder than ever says “driver, if you knew what it is ‘life’ in all its diversity. No aspect of life is devoid I had, you’d let me of right here.” of religion; every moment is an opportunity to sanctify life.

The driver stops and opens the doors. Just as the boy I

NSIGHTS is about to get off the bus, the driver asks “and may I So how do we define this word???!!! ask, what is it that you have?” Well: That depends on who you ask. What language

To which the boy replies ‘chutzpa’! they speak, what denomination they belong to etc.

Now if the punch line of that joke used the word Almost 40 years ago, someone was in Israel and went ‘cheek’ or ‘rudeness’ I don’t think it would’ve have to see a Marx Brothers movie with Hebrew subtitles. been half as funny. In one scene, Harpo is trying to communicate the word "surprise" to Chico. He repeatedly pointed first Some words simply need to be said in their original to a bowl of soup and then to a bowl of rice. Chico language. watches and says "soup, rice; soup, rice; soup, rice - 84 ah, surprise!" The Hebrew subtitles read, "marak, Or is it something else? orez; marak, orez: marak, orez - hafta'ah!" We don’t stop to think about these questions often Needless to say the Hebrew speakers didn't laugh. enough. We should! If Judaism matters, if it makes a difference then it’s important not only to be Jewish The average Jew hears the word mitzvah and thinks but to do Jewish and Jewish living is not defined by good deed. It is clear from our parashah that while feelings or pride or some ethnic identity but by how most good deeds are mitzvot, not all mitzvot are good we live, what we do, and how we sanctify each deeds. Some are purely contextual what to do if such moment of our lives. and such a situation were to arise. Many themes run through large segments of the mitzvot. One I would like to end with one final interpretation of the prominent example noted by the author of the Etz word mitzvah – one which I believe encompasses all Chayim is the irreducible dignity and worth of a that it means to be a Jew. An early Rebbe of the Gur human being. Even the most marginal members of Hassidic dynasty the Sfat Emet writes a number of society, such as criminals or the female war captive, times that the root of the word Mitzvah is ‘tzevet’. are fashioned in the image of God and are to be Ever flown Elal? The crew are called a ‘tzevet’. Tzevet treated accordingly. is derived from the word ‘tzvata’, which means But there are many mitzvot which have nothing to do togetherness, connection, a team. Mitzvot are means with human dignity, say Tefillin or Rosh Chodesh. So by which we could be a team with Hashem. maybe, ‘rules’ or ‘precepts’ r ‘instructions’ are a Every mitzvah is a sacred opportunity to connect better translation for Mitzvah. ourselves and the world to Hashem. Most commonly however, Mitzvah is translated as a Imagine you’re walking along the street and you see commandment. We are ‘commanded’ to act a certain way, to do certain things and not do others. Being a £50 note on the pavement. Who wouldn’t stop to that they are commandments, there has to be a pick it up? Now imagine you see something priceless, Commander. And if one really believes that Hashem something that has the potential to change your life and to change the world. The question of mitzvot is commands us to act a certain way who wouldn’t obey? not so much right or wrong, but wise or unwise.

But not all contemporary thinkers would agree with As we approach the High Holy Days, I’d like to suggest this orthodox approach. Non-orthodox Jews struggle that we spend time each day looking at the opportunities we’ve been given. They are all around with the idea of commandment in a modern context. Conservative Rabbi Neil Gilman of the Jewish us. Whether you realize it or not, you already perform Theological Seminary would argue that every mitzvah mitzvot. A day does not pass without an opportunity to do good deeds and live a holy life. Don’t we owe it is a choice. He writes: “I believe that the ultimate locus of authority for what we believe and how we to ourselves and to each other to use each practice as Jews is in ourselves. That is the irreversible opportunity wisely, and not to let these gifts pass us gift of modernity.” In other words, in Judaism, as in by? other areas of life we choose to obligate ourselves. Sermon delivered by Rabbi Ari Shainfeld, Parshat Ki Teitzei, Frankly I think that leaves the future of Judaism August 2013 tenuously dependent on each individual.

So which interpretation of mitzvah works for you?

Is a mitzvah a good deed, a precept, a rule, an obligation, a commandment, or a choice?

85 FEMINISM AND JUDAISM – THE ROLE The Happy Homemaker was not Jewish. The stereotype she represented was antithetical to the OF WOMEN IN JUDAISM idealized Jewish vision of womanhood, portrayed as Modern Feminism quickly atrophied into early as in King Solomon’s time in his poem “A “Careerism,” which left us with a society Woman of Valour.” in which women’s contributions are There we see qualities such as wisdom, courage, unrecognized by men and, more creativity, business acumen, and the profound insight painfully, by women themselves. to recognize how to relate to individuals according to Three decades of feminism have left women with a their specific needs. new version of the quip: If you’re so liberated, why aren’t you happy? Nowhere is “lovin’” spoken of as synonymous with “something from the oven.” Women at the advent of the new millennium have higher salaries, more corporate power, and more Women’s contributions to society have always been career choices. We also have more divorces, more far more than physical. The tragedy is that this custody battles, more childcare crises, and—if the obvious fact has too often gone unrecognized. This is truth be told—more conflict about who we really are not to say that physical nurture is not a very real and what we really want. expression of caring. However, it is only one part of a complex mosaic of personal feminine self-expression. We want to be whole. We want it all. We want to be It is a gross distortion to equate this part with the women while actualizing the full range of our whole. potentials. And we should—we were made to strive for completion. The Happy Homemaker was not the first woman to idealize nurture and feminine self-actualization in Judaism believes in wholeness, in the valid claims of such limited terms. But before her time, the practical contrasting aspects: exigencies of life gave household jobs greater meaning. In pre-industrial society, women were  in being part of a society while remaining a valued—and valued themselves—for their unique people; irreplaceable contributions to the functioning of the  in being part of a community while home. While many women would have undoubtedly maintaining one’s individuality; welcomed the opportunity to be freed from some of  in being a full-fledged part of the world while the tedium involved (as would have men from the also being a woman. tedium of their jobs), they felt the importance of their Before focusing specifically on the Jewish view of how role if for no other reason than the absence of women can flourish in modern society without machines which could perform the same tasks. experiencing conflict, let us look at contemporary The desire to contribute something of true value still I

NSIGHTS reality. burned in the hearts and minds of many women. The The rise and fall of The Happy Homemaker technological liberation of the homemaker (i.e. gas

and electric stoves, washing machines, ready-made We of the Western world have just invested about 30 clothes, prepared food, etc.) left women asking, years in rebelling against the advertising industry’s “What do I do with my life now?” and the answer “Happy Homemaker” feminine ideal. The Happy came back from Madison Avenue: “Bake another Homemaker was the coiffured blond-haired, ever- cake.” smiling, empty-headed female whose sole pleasures in life were serving the moistest cake possible to her The Happy Homemaker arrived on the scene as the family and having dishes she could see herself in. role-model woman who continued to glow with fulfilment while totally immersing herself in the 86 dwindling and increasingly meaningless domestic paper she held and speaking slowly and clearly in chores that remained to be done. beginner’s Hebrew said, “This—is—a—census. A— census—is—when—we—count—people. We— The inevitable result of this was the erosion of want—to—count—ALL—the- people. Sign—this.” To whatever status had hitherto been ascribed to her, being a mother and housewife excluded any traditional feminine roles. After all, no one could be possibility of my being an intelligent human being. fooled for long—how important was that cake? The discrediting of women in their traditional roles Not unpredictably, the Happy Homemaker’s baking has lead inevitably to a prejudice against womanhood lost its taste after one generation. In the wake of her and in favour of manhood which extends across the demise, a new woman was born seeking gratification board. In the end, many of us have succumbed to the that could not be found in even the flakiest pie crust. pervasive bias that, simply put, anything men have, And thus began the wholesale abandonment of do, or are is de facto better and more desirable than homemaking and even motherhood in favour of what women have, do, or are. Shockingly few of us occupations outside of the home, which imparted the even pause to question this assumption. sense that one was doing something worthwhile. Thus, mainstream feminism should really be called, From Feminism to Careerism to Masculism “masculism,” because it glorifies everything that “Feminism,” as quickly as it gained momentum, lost pertains to men and seeks to appropriate it for its calling as a movement to promote women’s rights women. to total self-actualization, and instead rapidly atrophied into “careerism.” A good example of this glorification of what pertains to men without questioning its value, either for men What we are left with today is a situation in which, or for women, is the “feminine cigarette.” When more than ever, women’s spiritual contributions to Virginia Slims launched itself at the beginning of the home, family, and others are unrecognized, not only feminist movement, its advertising campaign went by men, but, more painfully, by women themselves. something like this:

An incident revealing disdain for traditional female Men have oppressed women by withholding from roles occurred to me personally. Several years ago, them the right to smoke, so that women were forced the Israeli census taker came to our home. For various to smoke in secret. Now a woman can prove her reasons I chose not to participate. My children were liberated status not only by smoking in public, but by in school, and the census taker, a woman, found me smoking specifically feminine cigarettes, made just sitting at the dining room table surrounded by books, for her. looking very professorial. I took time to discuss with her, in Hebrew, my philosophical stance, over a cup The question was never asked: But is smoking good of coffee. She was very interested, and left at least for women? Claiming the right to smoke because men respecting my intellectual clarity about my position. had it, is like claiming the right to be a kamikaze pilot as an equal job opportunity. Now, the law requires that anyone refusing to take part in the census must be visited again, so a few Written by: Rebetzin Tzipora Heller. Reprinted with permission weeks later she reappeared. In the meantime, of from aish.com course, she had interviewed hundreds of people, so she did not recognize me from our previous discussion. This time she saw the Friday morning me. I was surrounded by small children and elbow-deep in dough. Surmising my intellectual capacity with a cursory glance at the scene, she pointed at the

87 THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME IN but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour HISTORY IS THAT… We have taller buildings but not inner space Wider freeways but polluted the soul We spend more but not our prejudice We buy more but lower morals

We have bigger houses but more divorce More but broken homes More degrees and little in the stockroom More knowledge but short on quality More experts More medicine Reprinted with permission from www.simpletoremember.com

We have multiplied our possessions We talk too much We’ve learned how to make a big living We’ve added years to life We’ve been all the way to the moon

We’ve conquered outer space We’ve cleaned up the air We’ve split the atom We have higher incomes

These are the days of two incomes Of fancier houses There is much in the showroom We’ve become long on quantity but shorter tempers but narrower viewpoints but we have less but enjoy it less

I and smaller families NSIGHTS but less time but less sense but less judgment but more problems but less well-being but reduced our values but listen too little but not a life not life to years 88 I VISUALISE A BLACK HOLE I visualise a world I visualise a black hole Devoid of moral courage; Wherein rectitude is sucked; That, to tyranny, queues up, A graveyard for justice, To pay its grovelling homage; And fine moral conduct; A world that, readily, A dump for objectivity, Dubs Israel the aggressor, For values And, in anti-Jewish prejudice, And for truth; Ranks as a professor. A for peace and amity,

For the idealism World, it is for you Of youth. That I bitterly lament;

For, into that black-hole, I visualise a world All your principles, Wherein right becomes wrong; Have been bent. A world that banishes

Romance and song; Written by Jeffrey M Cohen A world wherein Violence rules, And any free-thinking,

Retribution,

Fuels; A world wherein culture Is equated with sin; And artistic creativity

Is consigned to the bin; A world wherein children THE AFTERMATH Are taught to fight and hate; If we won, And to aspire, Then, at what price? When they are older, Another Akedah To the suicide-bomber’s fate. Sacrifice?

I visualise a world They dance Wherein history In the streets, Is denied; Handing out sweets; And it is axiomatic Their victory chanting, That our survivors lied: Logic, That no Holocaust happened, Supplanting; No gas-chambers were built - It fills the air That it was all a Jewish plot A lie, To secure the Nazis’ guilt; Laid bare. That no ‘Final Solution,’ For us, Two thousand martyrs: Was customised; Alla hu Akbar! That no millions lost A dance macabre; Their families, Most bizarre. Or were brutalised. 89 ‘Return to your homes Your people And celebrate!’ Are being fed? Was their leaders’ You must have known Firm dictate. Of those preparations, ‘Wave your flags The tunnels of death, And show defiance And launching stations Of the kafir That your sons, And his alliance’. For years, Were preparing - Return to our homes? - A genocide, What have they become? Supremely daring! Memorials To martyrdom; So you were complicit Piles of rubble In that offensive; Earth and clay; In a toll of death, Homes? Far too expensive. If only we dared say Just how much You, who claim to know We rue the day The will of God, When we voted Don’t you think To become the prey That it’s most odd Of violent men That the One who, Happy to pay Mankind, Any price to avoid Designed, The peaceful way! Should be acclaimed Men who perfected Through hatred, The human shield, Blind? No matter how many deaths And re-assess It yields; Your naïve belief Who win support That your leaders By intimidation; Will bring you Sowing widespread Blessed relief; Desperation. Give peace a chance - For it’s more sacred Two thousand homes Than the dream of Israel Are now bereaved; Annihilated.

I Is that a victory, NSIGHTS Achieved? Written by Jeffrey M Cohen Was it martyrdom

For a belief, Or self-inflicted pain And grief?

Do you not see Where you’re being led? The lies

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