Tag: Vayailech

No Summons!

The way our calendar is structured, Rosh Hashana cannot begin on a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday. The Ashkenazic custom is for us to begin reciting the Selichos – penitential prayers – on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashana, provided that Rosh Hashana begins on a Thursday or Shabbos. If Rosh Hashana begins on a Monday …

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Book are Open!

From the beginning of Rosh Hashana until the conclusion of Yom Kippur, there are ten days, which are called Aseres Yemai Teshuva – The Ten Days of Repentance. Our Prophets tell us that during these days G-d is very near to us and yearns for us to move closer to Him through repentance and by …

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Closed!

This Shabbos is called Shabbos Shuva, the Shabbos of return or repentance. The term Shuva is borrowed from the first word of the Haftorah “Shuva Yisroel ― Return Israel ― for you have tripped up in sin.” We are taught that if we do something special this Shabbos in honor of and in the spirit …

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Bride to the Rescue!

This year Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos and Sunday. The Shofar is not sounded on the Shabbos because the sages were concerned that in one’s zeal to fulfill the mitzvah he might come to desecrate the Shabbos. The Talmud explains that this rule is hinted at in the Torah where Rosh Hashana is called, “a …

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Game Plan!

We are currently in the special ten day period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The verse in Isaiah says, “Seek out G-d when He is in close proximity.” Our Sages teach us that this refers to the closeness that G-d has with us during these ten days of repentance. The verse is actually surprising …

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Tradition, Tradition!

(Torah Portion Nitzavim/VaYailech) Tradition, Tradition! The Talmud records a conversation between the Romans and Rebbe Yehoshua. The Romans asked: “From where in the Written Torah do we see that G-d will bring the dead alive and that G-d knows the future?” Rebbe Yehoshua answered, that both are hinted at in a verse in this week’s …

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Upgrade Available!

(Torah Portion Nitzavim/Vayailech) Upgrade Available! This is the last Shabbos of the year 5773, which brings with it many opportunities. The Talmud teaches us, “The way we finish something off, has the most significant impact.” Thus, if we give special attention to the holiness and sanctity of this Shabbos, it affects our standing regarding all …

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Fly Ball

(Torah Portion Vayailech) Fly Ball One of the most famous quotes of a presidential inaugural address is that of John F. Kennedy’s charge: “And so my fellow Americans, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” In this week’s Parsha, Moshe, before his death, gives …

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Homecoming Parade!

(Torah Portion Vayailech) Homecoming Parade! Homecoming parades for championship winning sports teams are very exciting and triumphant. Thousands cheer their teams for clinching the series and for their diligent and professional skill throughout the season. But have you ever heard of tens of thousands coming to cheer and laud a group of people for not …

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Dance

Weekly Torah Portions: Nitzavim / Vayailech 23 Elul 5777 – September 14, 2017 Selichos prayers begin Saturday night At the very end of our leader Moshe’s life, G-d commanded him to write “The song of Torah,” and to teach it to the children of Israel. Our Sages tell us that Moshe wrote 13 Torah scrolls, …

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