Rebbetzin Heller discusses three basic character traits of Hashem, and how they can be expressed in our day to day actions. The traits discussed are; the ability to see the good in another; the need for fences to guard us from negative actions; and how to sustain our appreciation to those who we have benefited from.
Rosh Hashana is the pivotal day of reckoning. It is also the time for new beginnings and for developing closer ties. For a stronger sense of closeness, both love and fear must be in sync. Rabbi Kelemen explains how to line them up for greater harmony.
We stood before G-d as a nation and accepted a new covenant that carried over to each subsequent generation of the Jewish People. What is the significance of what we agreed to do, based on the incredible clarity of vision we had at the time? And how does this explain G-d's promise to never give up on us, and how we receive seeming punishments from on High? And what message does this give over about the upcoming days of Rosh Hashana?
One of the main focuses of our attempt to regain touch with our spiritual selves in the month of Elul is to return to the Jewish nation. But what exactly does that mean? Rabbi Kirzner reveals the complex map of connections that find one Jew to the next to form a greater picture that we don't see. How does our performance of the 613 mitzvot as a united body fit exactly what the service is on Rosh Hashanah?
If we were to look back at the things we learned in grade school about Rosh Hashanah we may find them very different from what we believed. Also, why is this day which marks Creation considered a yom tov, and why is malchus shamayim, accepting God's Authority, the overriding focus of the day.
If repentance is the way to earn a fresh start, why on Rosh Hashanah, which avoids two of the three aspects of the teshuvah process, are we confident that we can attain a total self-renewal? On the first day of every New Year God recreates the universe anew. We are given a similar power to create a new slate for ourselves as well.
Why do Jews wish each other a 'sweet' year on Rosh Hashanah? And how does sweetness characterize the Jewish New Year? Rabbi Wein's inimitable mix of wit and depth looks at the mystical concept explained by Reb Zadok on how 'time has personality' and why the personality of Rosh Hashanah is sweetness.
The ten days starting from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur is the most awesome period in the Jewish calendar - in terms of developing ones finer character traits. Rabbi Wein asserts that the history of teshuva is also the history of humanity. He brings Torah sources and amazing stories to show how teshuva not only builds us individually, but also as a nation.
Has the thought ever occurred that because of all our illogical, senseless choices, we're really a bit insane - living in an insane world? And if we'd wonder if being more observant might be a practical way to find peace and happiness, how come we don’t consider it? Could it be that we might unknowingly be professing a belief in God? So who's drum are we marching to anyway?
What are you really living for? Hear one of Rav Noah's engaging Elulshmoozen for extra chizuk, inspiration and a new approach for changing gears. Start the month of teshuva one step ahead.