B"H
Shalom and Bracha!
May Hashem seal the inscription for you, your entire family and
all those who are dear to you for a healthy, happy, prosperous
and sweet new year and may we see the redemption through
Moshiach immediately!
Rosh Hashanah is the only holiday that is observed for two days
both in Israel and throughout the world. As a result, there are
always seven days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The
significance thereof is that on Rosh Hashanah we renew our
acceptance of Hashem as our king and to imbue our lives with the
spirit of Torah. We are given one of each of the days of the
week to demonstrate the strength of our resolve. The Ari
Hakadosh explains that each of the intermediate days serves as
an opportunity to do Teshuvah for the corresponding days of the
past year (Friday for all the past Fridays, Shabbat for all the
past Shabbats, etc.) and is also the source of blessing for the
corresponding days of the coming year. As Teshuva entails
introspection concerning the past and positive resolution
concerning the future, a full week allows us to do Teshuvah
concerning every aspect of our lives. As such, Shabbat Shuvah is
the focal Shabbat of the year, encompassing all of the previous
Shabbats of the year and preparing for all the Shabbats of the
coming year.
The
word Teshuvah means to return. The ten days of Teshuvah are not
only days of penitence but rather days of returning. We were
created with a divine nature, and this period is given to us to
seek and return to our divine nature. Part of our introspection
is upon our interactions and influence on others. As such, our
inspiration of Teshuva must be shared with our fellow Jews. We
thereby demonstrate that our service of Hashem is not only based
on our desire to be closer to Hashem, but on Hashem’s
desire to be closer to the Jewish people. The Rebbe once
suggested that each person should have a Minyan, at least ten
Jews, whom he has brought closer to Torah.
This is echoed in the Torah portion, Vayeilech. One of the
Mitzvot discussed in the portion is Hakhail. Following the
conclusion of the Shemittah (sabbatical) year, during Sukkot,
the King gathered the entire Jewish people: men, women, and
children, and read to them sections of the Torah. The impression
the gathering made was so powerful it gave inspiration that
lingered until the following Hakhail. The word Hakhail, in
addition to meaning gather, means to unite and form a Kahal, a
congregation. Just as a Minyan has a very different status than
ten individuals praying, the effect of Hakhail was to transform
a group of individuals into a new entity that surpassed the
total of its components: a Kahal. As part of a Kahal we think
differently, and put aside our own concerns for those of others
and for the greater cause. This gives us phenomenal strength,
far beyond our individual capabilities.
The
teaching of Hakhail is a lesson for our times: the way to
overcome confusion and difficulties not to think each of us must
take care of ourselves but rather to unite and realize that we
are all part of Hashem’s world and what affects others affects
us as well. This unity will give us the power to overcome all of
the unique obstacles of our time.
The
Haftara begins “Shuvah (hence the name Shabbat Shuvah)
Yisrael Ad Hashem Elokecha” “Return Israel to Hashem your G-d.”
The exact translation is until Hashem your G-d. The use
of the term until warrants deeper understanding. In this
week’s portion, the Torah says that the Jewish people are a
portion of Hashem. Chassidic teaching explains that each Jew has
within him a portion of Hashem’s name. In Hebrew, the name
Hashem represents G-d in His essence that transcends the nature
of the world. The term Elokecha refers to our power and life.
The Haftara teaches us we must return to Hashem until we feel
that our power and life is the Divine energy that transcends the
world. When we feel that our very life is G-d’s energy, we must
live in accordance with His will, because the Torah is our life
connection.
Just as the portion discusses the gathering of the Jewish people
in Yerushalayim, may we immediately see the coming of Moshiach
and the entire Jewish people united in the land of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom and Gmar Chatima Tovah,
Rabbi Biggs
A
Project of Chabad of Great Neck
400
East Shore Rd. Great Neck NY 11024
516
4874554 fax 516 4874807
