"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Erev Rosh HaShanah, 5760
Elul 29, 5759
September 10, 1999
SPECIAL FEATURE:
Your Rosh HaShanah Guide
Tishrei 1-2, 5760
September 11-12, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
NOTE:
The Table of Contents contains links to the text. Click on an entry
in the Table of Contents and you will move to the information selected.
"I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH.
"AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS
ARRIVAL."
Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12
THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED
TO THE REBBE,
RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
OF LUBAVITCH
Click here, to see pictures
of the Rebbe
The Daily Sicha (in Real Audio)
- Listen to selected excerpts of the Rebbe's Sichos
[talks] which are relevant to the particular day.
We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly
publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue we focus on the laws of the upcoming High Holiday of
Rosh HaShanah, which begins on Friday night, September 10.
Therefore, we present here "Your Rosh HaShanah
Guide,"* and other related material about Rosh HaShanah.
*
We take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very sweet, happy, healthy
and successful new year.
*
Our sincere appreciation to
L'Chaim weekly
publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, for allowing
us to use their material.
Also, many thanks to our copy editor, Reb
Mordechai
Staiman, for
his tireless efforts.
*
It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption
will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW!
Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov,
Administrator,
Committee for the Blind
18 Elul, 5759
Brooklyn, New York
_____________
*. Published by Prestige Litho.
DEDICATED TO THE REBBE,
In Honor Of Our Daughter
CHAYA SARAH
on the occasion of her 11th birthday,
25 Elul
Dear Friend:
The month of Tishrei is very colorful. Every possible atmosphere of
Jewish life finds expression in this month, in which we have Solemn Days,
Fast Days, and Days of Rejoicing. It is not a coincidence that the first
month of the year has "samples" of every shade and color of Jewish life,
for these "samples" are intended to give us an introduction to, and practical
guidance for the rest of the year. By observing the special days of
Tishrei in their proper spirit, we are initiated into a truly Jewish
life, in accordance with the spirit of the Torah, during the whole year
following.
What can we learn from the special days of Tishrei?
a. To begin with we have Rosh HaShanah, the beginning of the New Year,
the day when the first man just created proclaimed G-d's sovereignty over
the whole Universe. When we are about to begin anything, we must always remember
that G-d is the Creator of Heaven and Earth and the sole Ruler of the Universe,
and that our action or venture must have Divine approval. This is further
emphasized by--
b. The Ten Days of Repentance, which remind us that since we are the
servants of the King of the Universe we must keep a check on our deeds to
ensure that they comply with the wishes of the Master. However, since we
are only human beings, we are liable to fail on occasion. This is why G-d
gives us--
c. Yom Kippur, to impress upon us the realization that it is never
too late to turn back to the right path, provided we do it sincerely, completely
repenting of, and casting away, our evil habits of the past, and solemnly
undertaking to mend our ways in the future. If we make this firm resolution,
G-d will forgive us, and "cleanse" us completely of our sins. Difficult though
this path may appear to be--
d. Sukkot helps us not to despair in our days of trial, even if we
find ourselves in the minority, for G-d is our protector, as He clearly showed
us by the Clouds of Glory with which He surrounded us during the forty years'
wandering through the desert after the Departure from Egypt. Finally, in
order to know how to lead our lives so as to comply with G-d's wishes, we
have--
e. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, for in the Torah G-d
has given us Divine laws of justice and righteousness and a true guide in
life; by shaping our lives accordingly we are assured of true happiness,
both in this world and in the after-life. For the Torah is a "tree of life
to them that take fast hold of it, and its supporters are happy."
These, briefly, are some of the main lessons of Tishrei and there
can be no doubt that by following them faithfully, the New Year will be a
happy one, both spiritually and materially, and the blessing that we give
each other "L'Shana Tova Tikateiv V'Tichatem" [May you be inscribed
and sealed for a good year] will surely be fulfilled. That is what I wish
every one of you.
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that
"The time of our Redemption has arrived!" and "Moshiach is on his
way!"
The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this
as a
prophecy, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption,
through increasing acts of goodness and kindness.
Let us all heed the Rebbe's call.
Birthday of the World
Rosh Hashanah is the day on which G-d completed the creation of this world,
by creating Adam, the original man. Adam's very first act was to proclaim
the Al-mighty as King of the Universe. He called upon all creatures: "Come,
let us worship, bow down, and kneel before G-d, our maker."
Each Rosh Hashanah, we too proclaim the Kingship of G-d, and reaffirm our
commitment to serve Him well.
Just as on the original Rosh Hashanah, G-d created the world for the first
time, so each Rosh Hashanah He reconsiders and re-evaluates the quality of
our relationship with Him, and creates our world anew.
The Book of Life
On the first evening of Rosh Hashanah, after services, we exchange the
traditional blessing, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
Our sages explain that on Rosh Hashanah, we all stand in judgment before
G-d "like a flock of sheep before the shepherd." If we are worthy, we are
inscribed in the Book of Life. Ten days later, on Yom Kippur, the Book is
sealed.
Through repentance, prayer, and charity, we can sweeten the decree, and merit
G-d's blessings for health, well-being, and prosperity for the coming year.
The Shofar
This year, on the second day of Rosh HaShanah, Sunday, Sept. 12, we hear
during the daytime the sounding of at least the first thirty of the prescribed
blasts of the shofar, the ram's horn.
The shofar, the oldest and most soulful of wind instruments, has many
meanings. Among them:
* It proclaims the coronation of G-d as King of the Universe.
* It "awakens" us to repent and return to G-d.
* It reminds us of the shofar heard at Mount Sinai, when we accepted
G-d's commandments for all time.
* It represents the simple, primal outcry from the depth of the soul.
* It presages the call of the Great Shofar which G-d will sound with
the coming of Moshiach, who will lead us out of exile and into our Holy
Land--speedily, in our days.
Call your local synagogue, or Chabad-Lubavitch Center for the approximate
time of the shofar service.
Tashlich
This year, on the second day of Rosh HaShanah, Sunday, Sept. 12, following
the afternoon prayer, we visit a body of water or pond containing live fish
and recite the Tashlich prayers, in which we "cast away" our sins.
As fish depend upon water, so do we depend upon G-d's providence. Also, a
fish's eyes never close, symbolizing G-d's unceasing watchfulness over us.
Special Rosh HaShanah
Foods
It is customary on Rosh Hashanah to eat foods symbolizing sweetness, blessings
and abundance.
We dip the challah in honey; and afterwards, on the first night, Friday
evening, Sept. 10, we eat a piece of apple dipped in honey.
After the appropriate blessing on the apple, we add: "May it be Your will
to renew for us a good and sweet year." Other customs include eating
the head of a fish, pomegranates and carrots.
A Return to Essence
The first ten days of Tishrei--two days of Rosh Hashanah, the seven
days following, and Yom Kippur--are an auspicious time in which to rectify
our shortcomings and draw closer to G-d. They are therefore known as the
"Ten days of Teshuvah."
Teshuvah(1)--frequently translated as
repentance--actually means returning. Judaism emphasizes that our essential
nature--the divine spark of the soul--is good.
True repentance is best achieved not through harsh self-condemnation, but
through the realization that our deepest desire is to do good, in accordance
with the will of G-d.
_____________
1. See
Living
With Moshiach, Vol. 117
Monday, Sept. 13, is a fast day. We neither eat nor drink, from approximately
72 minutes before sunrise until 40 minutes after
sunset.(2)
It commemorates the tragic assassination of Gedaliah, a great Jewish leader
during the Babylonian exile.
_____________
2. In New York City, at 7:49 p.m.
Jewish Women and Girls
Light Rosh HaShanah and Shabbat
Candles
For local candle lighting times:
consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center, or call: (718) 774-3000.
or: http://www.chabad.org/shabbos
For a free candle lighting kit:
contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center.
For a listing of the Centers in your area:
http://www.chabad.org/chabadir-access.html.
In the USA, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848).
Times shown are for Metro NY - NJ
Friday, Sept. 10, Erev Rosh HaShanah:
-
Light Shabbat & Rosh Hashanah candles,(3) by
6:57 p.m.
Say blessings #1 & 3.
-
Eat special Rosh Hashanah foods.
Saturday, Sept. 11, Rosh HaShanah:
-
Light Rosh Hashanah candles,(4) after nightfall,
after 7:56 p.m.
Say blessings #2 & 3.
Sunday, Sept. 12, Rosh HaShanah:
-
Sounding of Shofar.
-
Tashlich prayers.
-
Rosh Hashanah ends at nightfall, at 7:54 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 13, Fast of Gedaliah:
_____________
3. Do not light after sunset.
The Shabbat and Rosh HaShanah candles must be lit 18 minutes
before sunset. It is prohibited and is a desecration of the
Shabbat to light the candles after sunset.
4. Do not light before the times indicated. Light only from a preexisting
flame.
A preexisting flame is a flame burning continuously since the onset of
Shabbat, such as a pilot light, gas or candle flame.
After lighting the candles, recite:
#1.
Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom
A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu
Le-had-lik Ner Shel Sha-bos v-shel Yom Ha-zi-ko-ron.
Translation:
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments,
and commanded us to kindle the light of
Shabbat and the Day of Remembrance.
#2.
Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom
A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu
Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Ha-zi-ko-ron.
Translation:
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments,
and commanded us to kindle the light of the
Day of Remembrance.
#3.
Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom
She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-ye-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu
Liz-man Ha-zeh.
Translation:
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us
to reach this occasion.
THE BALANCE SHEET
Adapted from a Letter of the Rebbe
Printed in Living With Moshiach,
Vol. 184
"Our Father, Our King--Avinu Malkeinu." The theme of G-d as Parent
and Ruler dominates Rosh HaShanah.
The Baal Shem Tov taught that the love G-d has for each one of us is analogous
to and surpasses the love a father has for an only child born in his old
age.
Rosh HaShanah is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. Thus, it
corresponds to the rebirth of humanity and we reestablish our relationship
as children of G-d on these days.
The sounding of the shofar is connected to this central motif of Rosh
HaShanah, that of G-d as our Divine Parent. To better understand this we
look to another parable of the Baal Shem Tov: An errant prince, an only son,
traveled far from the palace. After many years had passed, the prince yearned
to be reunited with his father, the king. However, by the time he returned
to his native land, he had forgotten his mother tongue. From deep within
his soul a cry emerged, a cry that--no matter how estranged the child--a
father could understand. This fervent, broken-hearted plea of "Father, it
is I, your only son, help me!" broke through the barriers separating father
and son more eloquently than any words the prince might have uttered. At
this moment, the king embraced the errant son.
For thousands of years the Jewish people have wandered in exile. At times,
we even seem to have lost our means of communicating with our Father. We
are very much like the proverbial prince, who when facing his father the
king could only cry. We are in pain not only because our self-created barriers
separate us from G-d. But also because even when we wish to return we encounter
all sorts of seemingly insurmountable obstacles born of the national and
spiritual exile of our people.
The shofar represents the wordless cry of the only child within each
of us. Chosen because of its simplicity, it symbolizes the incorruptible
nature of the soul connected to the essence of G-d, Himself. Transcending
the conventional modes of communication, the shofar's shattering wail
arouses in us an awareness of the most powerful bond uniting Father and child.
No matter how far we may feel we've strayed throughout the year, no matter
how muted or inadequate our ability to communicate with G-d, the
shofar of Rosh HaShanah enables us to reconnect in a more fundamental
and powerful way than previously envisioned.
The Great Shofar, sounded by G-d signaling the messianic age, will
pierce all barriers and penetrate beneath the surface of our very beings.
When G-d sounds the Great Shofar we will be able to express, completely
and openly, the fundamental child/parent relationship we intrinsically have
with G-d. The shofar of Redemption will usher in a time when the love
between G-d and the Jewish people--concealed throughout our trial-ridden
exile--will be fully revealed.
May we all be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year. But even before
the New Year may we all find ourselves in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem with
the revelation of our righteous Moshiach, and he will redeem us.
L'SHANA TOVA
...May the Festivals of Tishrei Bring
Blessings for You and All Your Loved
Ones, for a Good and Sweet Year,
Spiritually and Materially,
and Bring for All of Us
the Greatest of All Blessings,
the Final Redemption
Through Our Righteous Moshiach.
|