B”H

SHABBAT YOM KIPPUR - REJOICING WITH THE SOUL
By Rabbi Yonassan Biggs

 

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Shalom and Bracha!

May Hashem Grant that this be a year of Peace and blessing for the Land of Israel and the entire Jewish people and that the light of truth permeate the world.

May you, your family and your loved ones be sealed in the book of life, blessing, peace, prosperity, salvation, comfort and good decrees, together with the entire Jewish people for a good and peaceful life.

This year, Yom Kippur falls out on Shabbat. The Talmud teaches us that the sanctity of Shabbat enhances Yom Kippur and the sanctity of Yom Kippur enhances Shabbat. Yom Kippur is referred to in the Torah as the “Shabbat of Shabbats,” and when Yom Kippur falls out on Shabbat it reaches yet a higher dimension. Futher, this year is a Sabbatical year, which further enhances the Shabbat aspect of Yom Kippur.

Seemingly, Shabbat and Yom Kippur contrast sharply. Shabbat is a day of rest, a day of rejoicing, a day when we indulge in physical pleasure. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, when we afflict ourselves in order to atone for our sins. How then, is Yom Kippur the Shabbat of Shabbats? We can answer this by a deeper appreciation of both Shabbat and Yom Kippur.

Shabbat is not simply an opportunity to gorge ourselves and go to sleep. Shabbat is the day that we elevate our physical lives from the mundane to the holy. On Shabbat, Hashem’s presence in the world is much more revealed then during the week. As such, acts of work are an affront to Hashem. We rejoice on Shabbat because we feel Hashem’s presence in the physical world. Every act of pleasure is therefore a form of rejoicing with G-d. Shabbat we feel the soul of the world.

Yom Kippur we go a step further. Yom Kippur we rejoice with the soul itself. Yom Kippur the essence of the soul radiates and is united with the essence of Hashem. It is this unity that affect the atonement, because there can be no barrier between the essence of the soul and Hashem. Indulging in eating or corporeal pleasures on Yom Kippur would be violating the very nature of the day. Fasting is not merely self affliction, but self elevation. When Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat, certain penitential prayers are skipped. This is because our bond with Hashem is further intensified, and the atonement comes directly from Hashem. A Sabbatical Year allows us to extend this bond throughout the year by increasing in Torah study.

One year Yom Kippur the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, was late coming to synagogue. The entire congregation was waiting, and as time passed, they sought him throughout the village. Eventually, they discovered that he had gone to the home of a poor woman who had recently given birth and had nothing to eat. He cooked for her and fed her (her condition was such that it was permissible to cook for her and for her to eat on Yom Kippur). The Chassidim learned that caring for others precedes everything.

Every Yom Kippur begins with inviting the excommunicated to join us in our prayers in the synagogue. This is because we must look at every fellow Jew as a pure soul, who is one with Hashem. As a result, Hashem will view us in the same manner. May Hashem invite us to join Him this Yom Kippur in His sanctuary in Yerushalayim with the coming of Moshiach!

Shabbat Shalom and G’mar Chatimah Tovah,
Rabbi Biggs

Dedicated to Rafael Ben Bahia for a long and joyous life

Helping the needy with holiday provisions is a great Mitzvah at this time of the year. Particularly this year, when so many families are struggling to put food on the holiday table, I implore everyone to join in this Mitzvah. Please send a donation to Chabad Food Fund at the address below.

http://www.chabadgn.com/holidays/jewishnewyear is a great website to better understand this month and the upcoming holidays.

Please take part in the spreading of Torah by sending me e mail addresses of friends. Every additional Jew studying Torah strengthens our people and elicits Hashem’s blessings.

A Project of Chabad of Great Neck
400 East Shore Rd. Great Neck NY 11024
516 4874554 fax 516 4874807

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