Dear Friends,

 

"The Talmud declares that the expression "היה", "was", is a sign of sadness, while the phrase "יהיה", "will be", is an expression of joy. The reason for this is the following: when we look at our past deeds - those which already happened - we are bound to feel some pain in front of their imperfections, their shortcomings and mistakes. By contrast, regarding our future actions - those which "will be" - our expectations are of excellence. They open an exciting new door, full of possibilities to be achieved, which give our souls a great joy."

 

Rosh Hashanah is a door to the future - a future of hope, promise of change and growth. We replace the "was" of the year which is now ending, with the "will be" of the rising new time. Rosh Hashanah and all the Yamim Noraim, these Days of Awe, make us think a little more about ourselves; about our individual and national capacities; about our family, our friends, our community. Rosh Hashanah and its contemplative, reflective, introspective process leads us to renew promises of improvement, of projects and of commitment; to set high goals stemming from our deepest sincerity. It is a return - teshuvah - to joy, to aspirations of growth, of doing and being better, returning to the wonder we thought we had lost. It is a sign of gratitude for the gift of life, of appreciating how lucky we are to be in this world surrounded by real affection for people we love and who love us.

 

Rosh Hashanah means future, and future includes our children, from an early age to their youth. Their very being, with Rosh Hashanah re-emphasizing their presence, speaks of the beautiful and promising future they contain - a future that can and should be encouraged by us, the adults. They are the guarantee of the transcendent messages which we in our turn inherited and want to transmit - the wonderful values and ideals of Judaism. To them, our children and youth, we should devote the greatest efforts at all levels: in the family, in the community and nationally - national redemption in the State of Israel. When we do devote to them, and we are lucky to see the results of that work, we are filled with an indescribable and inspiring satisfaction. And it is this satisfaction that fills contemplation of our own past with gratitude, and invests serenity and joy into our future. It is also tikkun, an adjustment to the vision asserted by the Rabbi of Porisov: it means seeing our lives as a continuous development of what we are, what we do, what we bequeath, what we build, what we transform. It is the challenge of expanding on foundations we have preserved and built in order to build new structures of love, of friendship, of faith, of more passionately meaningful lives.

 

May God enlighten us to reach significantly closer to our families and friends, strengthening our ties with those whom we love the most,

and who need us so much.

 

May God guide us to look at our recent past without regret or recrimination,

and fill us with the joy of knowing that we are investing our energies in our growth.

May God grant that this New Year 5775 will be full of blessings for ourselves

and for all Humankind.

And may God grant us the continued joy of seeing the development, growth and strengthening of everything that we hold dear and value,

the State,  the People of Israel, and our Maccabim all over the world.

 

With best wishes,

LeShanah Tovah ticatevu vetechatemu!

May you and yours be inscribed for a Good Year!

 

CHAZAK VE'EMATZ!

 

RABBI CARLOS TAPIERO

Deputy Director-General &Director of Education