Nitzavim & Rosh Hashanah
Thoughts for the New Year
Dear Friend,
It seems the world has been facing an unusual amount of turmoil. The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, Venezuela and Greece are in the midst of ongoing crises, the US struggles with unrest, refugees from the Middle East are desperately clamoring for safety in Europe, and as always, Israel’s existence is threatened. And this is but a small sampling of the suffering in the world.
And then there are people in our own lives who are suffering, too—the children who have no one to take them to synagogue, the single parent who works three jobs and still struggles with the basics, the family who has a sick child in and out of hospital . . . and the many people who simply drift along, lost and disenfranchised.
As a nation that has consistently faced immense persecution and suffering throughout history, we are in a unique position to understand, empathize with and support those less fortunate.
With Rosh Hashanah almost upon us, G‑d is more available than ever, and it’s up to us to ask Him for what we need. On Rosh Hashanah He decides what will happen over the coming year, and our prayers can influence those decisions. With heartfelt, meaningful prayer, coupled with real, practical assistance, surely we can make a difference, and usher in a year of peace and blessing.
May 5776 bring the end of all suffering. Amen.
Miriam Szokovski,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team
Why are we rational Jews doing something that seems superstitious?
Does G‑d have such an ego problem that He demands His creations to constantly pray to him, telling Him how great He is? Not to mention all the blessings every time we eat something, go to the bathroom, wash for bread, light Shabbat candles . . .
A practical holiday calendar which will lead you through every day of the holiday’s mitzvot, rituals and customs. Print it out for handy reference during Rosh Hashanah . . .
Here’s where you can find stories, how-to guides, videos, essays, and just about anything else you can want to have an enriching Rosh Hashanah. (Sorry, you need to get your own apples.)
Here's where you can find our favorite recipes for round challas, tzimmes, leeks, brisket, and virtually every other sweet Rosh Hashanah you could possibly wish to make.
It comes gift-wrapped from heaven with ribbons, strings and knots. And with each unraveling comes another discovery, and with each discovery a deeper wisdom.
Many things vie for my attention: my family needs me, work must be dealt with, and my own inner world, vast and detailed, wants to be recognized. I wonder if I can manage to balance all these aspects of myself when the upcoming holidays draw so much of my energy.
When I first experienced the High Holidays, I found them nothing short of terrifying. It all moved so fast. What was I supposed to do? What was I supposed to recite?
The kohanim (priests) would station themselves in all the public areas of Jerusalem and blow golden trumpets.
The High Holidays in Samarkand were an experience unto themselves. The people of the community grew introspective, as each individual tried to improve on his or her own religious observance and focus less on material pursuits. One could sense that the Days of Awe were approaching.
He took the ram’s horn to his lips, ready to blow. Yet, try as he might, not a sound issued from the horn.
He knows we are not angels, because He didn’t create us to be perfect. But He did create us with the ability to connect with others and become better people . . .
Though exile is a time when G-d’s presence in our lives isn’t manifest as it was—and will soon again be—during the Holy Temple glory days, it by no means signals a hiatus in our relationship with Him.
A condensation of the weekly Torah portion alongside select commentaries culled from the Midrash, Talmud, Chassidic masters, and the broad corpus of Jewish scholarship.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, join Rabbi Sacks on an intellectual journey to explore the concept and deep meanings of teshuvah (repentance).
The mitzvah to love your fellow is a central principle in the Torah. How can we realistically define this seemingly elusive mitzvah, and what practically is intended with turning it into a campaign?
Chabad centers around the world continue a decades-long tradition that has offered countless unaffiliated Jewish men, women and children a place to worship on the high holidays.
Touching the hearts and lives of teen volunteers, the special-needs community and community at large.
Tashlich service enables Jews to display pride in their heritage.
Tefillin, mezuzahs and more will be crafted, sold and repaired at shop in central part of the city.
What will be in the next moment is not in this one now.
It does not yet exist.
It has yet to be created.
When its time comes, then it will be created by the Creator of all things out of nowhere, emerging from the void.
There is only one thing that exists at this moment: That in which you are meant to be engaged righ...
