Living Torah Archives

But why does G-d need our efforts? Can He not accomplish His goals without us? A pre-Rosh Hashanah message.

In a Jewish household, the wife and mother is called the mainstay of the home. But when it comes to the month of Elul, every Jew should strive to fulfill this role.

“The New Year is time to elicit new blessings, with new resolutions and new beginnings.” (Collage)

A Jew’s purpose is to illuminate all the world around him. To “illuminate” does not mean to change the order of creation; rather, light enables one to discern the true nature and purpose of what already is there.

Every single Jew has the ability to crown the Almighty as King on Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. With the Shofar, we elevate a physical and otherwise mundane object to the lofty level of coronating the Creator.

Ari Goldman, then a reporter for The New York Times, recalls several encounters that he shared with the Rebbe, as well as an unexpected telephone call shortly after one particular visit. (Late 1980s)

The Haftorah of the first day of Rosh Hashanah relates the story of Chana, a childless woman who entreated G-d for a son at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. Eventually she gave birth to a son who would become the prophet Shmuel.

The prophet Isaiah declares: “Seek G‑d when He can be found, call to Him when He is near.” The Talmud explains: “This refers to the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

Once, after Rosh Hashanah prayers, the Alter Rebbe asked his son, the Mitteler Rebbe, “With what meditation did you pray this Rosh Hoshanah?” He replied, “With the verse, ‘All mankind shall prostrate themselves before You’.” Then the Mitteler Rebbe asked his father, “With what meditation did you pray?” The Alter Rebbe responded, “I prayed with my lectern.”

On Rosh Hashanah, we are reminded of the Jewish mother’s dedication and self-sacrifice in fostering our nation’s deep commitment to G‑d.

The Rebbe distributes coins and dollars to be given to charity. The annual Pre-Rosh Hashanah address to Jewish women. “This is a special opportunity to wish each other and every single Jew to be ‘inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year.’”

Blessings for success in the practice of law. Every Jew has to prepare their case at this time to be presented before the Heavenly Court on Rosh Hashanah.