Torah: Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20) Haftarah: (Isaiah 61:10-63:9)
I am still sounding the shofar to remind everyone the Days of Awe are Approaching!
Erev / night of Rosh HaShanah is Sunday, September 25, Monday, September 26 we will be having services at Brio starting at 11am followed by Lunch . Shabbat Friday Night Shabbat Shuvah/ the Sabbath of Penitence is Friday, September 30 our Sabbath Service will start at 7pm on Zoom. Kindly, update your misherberot for me in order to pray for all that are ill.
*Round Challah are for the High Holidays. Also honey is used rather than salt(*salt was a luxury and showed hospitality in ancient times, hence Lot’s wife turned to salt because she was not generous and liked bad behaviour of Sodom) when blessing the Challah. Apples and pomegranates are also symbolic for life and a sweet year!
One wish for L’Shanah Tovah; I added U’Metukah (A Sweet One)!
Tashlich will be on Sunday, October 2 at Fire Lake Park at 11am. Please remember to bring bread or matzo to symbolically cast off your sins.
Tuesday, October 4 will be Kol Nidre Yom Kippur services starting at 7pm.
Wednesday, October 5, Yom Kippur services will start at 4pm.
Break the Fast . If you are planning to bring food please contact Marilyn Kanas.
If you are ill, take medications or are pregnant you should not FAST! G-d would like everyone to be healthy, and everyone should strive to improve themselves for the New Year by doing acts of kindness.
Please if you are ill or cannot “Fast”, do NOT. G-d wants you to be healthy and safe.
Erev of Sukkot is Sunday, October 9, and Monday is the first day and the second day Chol HaMoed( the remaining days).
Sunday, October 16 is Hoshanah Rabbah
Monday, October 17 is Shemini Atzeret/ Yizkor
Tuesday, October 18 is Simchat Torah( Celebrating our Torah).
If you wish to celebrate Sukkot in my Sukkah, on Monday October 10, please let me know Halevi8663@aol.com. I will be having “Pizza in the Sukkah!” (a play on Star Wars).
If you need to purchase a Lulav and Esrog Call The Etrog Headquarters 718-692-3335, mention code Esrog2022 for a $5.00 savings!
Torah Portion Nitzavim is the Third Discourse of Moses. G-d will make a covenant with the Israelites and the people are told to choose life. G-d has given us Free Will. Teshuvah/Repentance Deuteronomy 30:2 states that “you shall return to the Lord your G-d”. The Hebrew word Teshuvah(repentance) means “to return.” In the first ten phrases of Deuteronomy 30, the Hebrew word shuv(turn) appears seven times. If Israel turns back to the G-d it has forsaken, G-d will graciously receive it back in turn.
From Deuteronomy 30:14: “The word is close to you, it is in your mouth, and in your heart, to do it.” “Today I call as witnesses heaven and earth that life and death have I set before you – the blessing as well as the curse. Therefore, you must choose life, that you may live, as well as your seed.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) The Lord is judging us now, seeing if we truly changed our bad ways and turned back to doing mitzvot and righteous behaviours. HE also stated that he watches over our future generations.
The Haftarah (Isaiah 61:10-63:9) is the last of the seven Haftarot of Consolation. It is invariably read on the Sabbath before Rosh HaShanah. From the Book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks to the exiled Judeans in Babylon and predicts the future glories of Zion. Never again will the Israelites be forsaken, for G-d will always be their Protector, The exiles must now prepare for their return to the Promised Land.
The connection is from the opening words of the Haftarah which reflect the spiritual exaltation which possesses the souls of loyal and G-d-fearing Jews at the season of Rosh HaShanah: “I will greatly rejoice in G-d, my soul shall be joyful to my G-d.”
The Days of Awe and the Jewish Holidays that follow Jews celebrate the beautiful traditions of our cultural heritage. We are joyous with family and friends and giving tzedakah or through our actions to do Tikkun Olam/ Repair the World will show our good intentions to G-d that each of us should be written and sealed in the Book of Life.
hank you for your beautiful Holiday cards and wishes.
Michael and I and my family wish everyone a L’Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
