5726: ROSH HA’SHANA OF RUSSIAN JEWRY

Rosh HaShana 5726/1965 by the Rebbe was devoted to the Chabad Chassidim who were held captive behind the Iron Curtain under the oppressive communist regime. Throughout Rosh HaShana there were a number of special behaviors that were different than the usual, in which the Rebbe showed that Russian Jews are never far from his thoughts and that on these fateful days in which the Jewish people are inscribed, he was working to remember them before Hashem

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JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OVER...

After last week’s article in which we went through some of the practical applications of Hakhel, I thought the Hakhel series was completed.

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CHILDREN ASK G-D TO RULE OVER THE WHOLE WORLD

On the eve of the High Holidays, a time of continual prayer and a deeper connection to the concept of “Cause Me to reign upon you,” we turned to Rabbi Meir Wilschansky, mashpia and rosh mesivta at Yeshivas Chassidei Chabad in Tzfas, with several practical questions: What is the best way to connect our children to t’filla? How do we connect them to the idea of accepting the sovereignty of Heaven and T’kias Shofar? Is fear a proper way to educate the younger generation? A heartfelt discussion about practical tools for educating our children.

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A ROYAL RIDDLE

Who put this riddle here, I wondered. I liked the idea. My friends know that I enjoy riddles and figuring them out in my free time. But here, in my cousins’ house? How do they know about my hobby?

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CORONATING HASHEM IN OUR PERSONAL LIFE

For Rosh HaShana, the days of judgment and coronation, as well as days of making resolutions for the new year, it seemed only appropriate to speak with Rabbi Yitzchok Arad, rosh yeshiva of Daat, and one of the popular speakers in Chabad. We discussed timely matters, and mainly dealt with questions and uncertainties as far as aligning the content of the Rosh HaShana prayers and everyday life in an ever changing world

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IMMUTABLE, LIKE THE EVEN HA’SH’SIYA

The Even HaSh’siya remains intact and openly visible, even in present times, without any change, at the site of the Holy of Holies in the Beis HaMikdash. Thus, the Jewish people’s claim and demand for the redemption is strengthened, arguing that we already openly see the Even HaSh’siya in the physical world.

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ACCEPTING G-D’S KINGSHIP WITH JOY

A compilation of short stories and sayings about Rosh Hashana.

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ULTIMATE LIFE AND GOODNESS

In this, the last parsha we will read before reaching the New Year, 5775, Moses exhorts the Jewish people: “See, I have set before you this day, life and good, and death and evil.”

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THE REFURBISHED SHOFAR OF MOSHIACH

When we sound the Shofar on Rosh HaShana, we remind G-d about Avrohom’s self-sacrifice, and pray that as a result He will administer His judgment upon us with kindness. The Shofar that Avrohom blew was set aside; it is the horn from which the Shofar of Moshiach is to be made.

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THE TRAVELS OF TWO SHOFARS

A trolley was approaching and his heart froze. Just a few inches separated the shofar from the wheels. Miraculously, it did not run over the shofar. “At that moment, I realized the shofar was not supposed to be in my possession,” said R’ Hillel, “which is why I rushed to bring it to you.”

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HEARING THE SOUNDS OF SINAI

While our conscious mind does not hear this voice, the part of the soul that is not cloaked within our body does indeed hear the voice emerging from Sinai and relays its subliminal message to the conscious mind. When this occurs we feel inspired, if only for a few seconds, and we harbor thoughts of T’shuva. So whenever we feel inspired, especially when the inspiration is spontaneous, it is a sign that our soul has just heard that Heavenly voice.

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