From the Rabbi’s Study… Shabbat September 3, 2021/26 Elul 5781
Torah: Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20) Haftarah: (Isaiah 61:10-63:9)
Erev / night of Rosh HaShanah is Monday, September 6, Tuesday, September 7 will be having services at Brio starting at 11am followed by Lunch . Shabbat Friday Night Shabbat Shuvah/ the Sabbath of Penitence is Friday,September 10 our Sabbath Service will start at 7pm.
*Round Challah may be purchased at Harmons 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)!
Saturday 9-11 * Usually I stay home because it is the Sabbath, however I was honored to be offering the Opening Prayer in St. George for the
“Remembering 9-11: Honoring First Responders and Their Families Commemorate
the 20th Anniversary of the attacks. Starts at 9:30am -11am.
Historic Town Square 50 South Main Street.
Sunday, September 12 at 11am is Tashlich at Fire Lake Park ( just past Kayenta on
Old 91)when Jews symbolically cast away their sins.
We wish everyone for an easy Fast and to be sealed in the Book of Life.
Erev Yom Kippur will be Wednesday, September 15 held at Brio Kol Nidre at 7pm
Yom Kippur Services and Yizkor on Thursday 16 is scheduled for 4pm followed by Break Fast..
Please if you are ill or cannot “Fast”, do NOT. G-d wants you to be healthy and safe.
Erev of Sukkot is Monday, September 20, and Tuesday is the first day and Wednesday is the second day Chol HaMoed( the remaining days).
Monday,September 27 is Hoshanah Rabbah
Tuesday,September 28 is Shemini Atzeret/ Yizkor
Wednesday,September 29 is Simchat Torah( Celebrating our Torah).
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 behaviors. 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 , 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.
Thank 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
