Rosh Hashanah - The 6th Day

The Rosh Hashanah service centers around the sounding of the shofar. The shofar blasts are a wakeup call to examine our deeds and turn to a more wholesome and Jewish way of living. They also symbolize the coronation of God as King; much like trumpets at the anointing ceremonies of old. A question may arise: How can lowly mortal beings have an ability to anoint an Infinite God? Imagine walking into your back yard one afternoon. You spot a small anthill and, walking up to it, announce proudly that you are king of this great ant nation. It's absurd. To be a true king, one has to have a nation of a relatable quality.

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The answer is very powerful: We can anoint God as our king because we are close to Him. When God formed each aspect of creation - from the angels in the highest of heavens to the lowest creatures of the sea bed, the Torah says: "He Spoke." But when He created man and woman, the Torah says God "Blew" a soul into their bodies. Metaphorically speaking, there is a clear difference between speech and deep breath. One can speak for hours without pause, for one uses his external breath with a minimum output. A deep breath however, comes from the innermost depths of a person, and therefore leaves him quite breathless. When God created each of us, He placed a precious soul from His innermost depths within our bodies. Our nation therefore, is close to Him, and able on Rosh Hashanah to crown Him as King for another year. Incredibly, our Sages say He cannot be King unless we do!

This also explains why Rosh Hashana - celebrating the Beginning of the year and of original creation - is actually marked on the 1st of Tishrei, which was the 6th day of creation, when Adam & Eve were formed. The Mystics explain that this is because God's Intention for all of creation, was all for the sake of the human being. On that original Rosh Hashanah day, King David in Psalms describes what happened in the Garden of Eden: "Come, let us prostrate ourselves and bow down; let us bend the knee before the Lord, our Maker." (Psalms 95:6) Adam brought the animals and all of creation together, to recognize God's role in their lives. We are here in order to perfect creation, the only ones able and entrusted to bring the world to an awareness of truth.

May you and yours be inscribed & sealed for a good and sweet year!

Soul Effects

~ This is dedicated to God's protection over our brothers in battle in Israel. May we all pray for them and increase in goodness in the merit of their safety ~

A preschool teacher was once teaching her class. Taking out a few pictures depicting the weather, she points to the first picture which depicts a sunny day, and asks: "Class, what's the weather here?" 

"Sunny!" Everyone yells.

How did they know? Simply because they saw the sun and its rays. Next came a picture depicting a rainy day. The children all guess correctly again, pointing to the dark clouds and numerous rain drops.Out came the 3rd picture.

"What's the weather here?" asks the teacher.
"It's windy!" Everyone yells.
But how did the children know? Unlike the sunny day or rainfall, there's no wind to point to. 

The children could see the effects of the wind - the leaves flying off, the man and kite bending backward, and more. Love works like this as well. It can't be seen, weighed or heard. But its effects on our lives are clear. 

Radio waves as well. They're everywhere even though we don't see them. If one brings a radio into their room and turns it on, the waves can be heard; they just needed a proper vessel to be expressed. 

The soul too can't be seen and it can't be heard. But its effects are apparent. Like radio waves, the soul too needs a body to express itself and to carry out its purpose. Through a smile, a laugh, a tear, or a moving experience, we can see hints of the soul. 

If we look at the Hebrew words for wind and rain, we discover something fascinating. Wind is Ruach, as is the word for soul/spirit. Spirituality/matters of spirit is known as Ruchaniyut. Like the wind in the picture, the spiritual can't be seen. Rain in Hebrew is Geshem, and  physicality is called Gashmiut. Rain, like all things physical, is clear and apparent. 

Judaism teaches that a spiritual, Godly life force exists and sustains all of reality. It may not be seen, but through its effects - such as the movement of life and the Divine Providence in our lives and so much more, we can deduce its existence. Each of us are holy souls passing ourselves off as just pieces of flesh (some with better abs than others). The challenge is to notice that which isn't readily apparent, to see with our mind's eye, sensing the subtleties of this world, the silent underlying force pulsing through our bodies and this universe. Sometimes it doesn't take a miracle or momentous occasion, but rather a simple, subtle, silent moment in nature.

...And a great and strong wind splitting mountains and shattering boulders before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake-not in the earthquake was the Lord. After the earthquake - fire, not in the fire was the Lord. And after the fire came a still, soft voice. (Kings 1, Ch.19:11-12)

Shabbat Shalom from Tzfat, Israel!

Preparing for Battle

This past week, hundreds of rockets have rained on Israeli cities from the Gaza Strip. Despite the fear felt within Israel and in the Jewish community, there has also been an amazing display of unity and resilience among our worldwide community. While casualties on both sides are regrettable and awful, the ability for a free nation to provide safety and normalcy to its people when attacked is a necessary and fundamental right. Make no mistake, it is Islamic terror groups in Gaza (and now Lebanon) who are forcing Israel into action, not vice versa.

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Years ago, I met a French man who had immigrated to Israel in the late 1980’s. In 1991, while living in Tel Aviv, Saddam Hussein rained 39 scud missiles on his city. When the dust had settled, not one Israeli had been killed by the rocket fire. To give us an idea of how incredible this was, one scud missile in February of that year struck a U.S. army base in Saudi Arabia, killing 28 and wounding 98. This man was so moved by the miracles in front of his eyes, that he renewed a stronger bond to Judaism and God in his life.

Does Judaism emphasize practicality and safety, or pure faith and trust in God's assistance? One of the earliest examples of dealing with threat of conflict in the Torah is seen with our forefather Jacob's meeting with his brother Esau and his army. First, Jacob sent messengers of good will and peace to his brother. He asked that he forget the old grievances of the past. Jacob had experienced great hardship during the past twenty years under the conniving Laban, whereas Esau was now a great chieftain. The messengers returned with disappointment. They had failed in their mission, and reported that Esau and his army seemed in the mood for a fight.

Jacob had no choice but to prepare for battle against his brother. He wisely divided his camp into two, so that one could escape if the other were defeated. Only then, feeling that safety and deliverance were in the hands of G-d alone, he prayed that He be with him in this fight against the superior troops of Esau.

Even though he had prepared for war, Jacob did not abandon hope for a friendly settlement with Esau. He sent servants bearing rich presents for Esau, to try and arouse his compassion. At the same time, he fervently prayed to G-d to turn Esau’s anger into a feeling of brotherhood.

Peace talks have failed time and again. The prospect of a lasting and practical peace for both sides must be pursued, but in the meantime Israel must deal with the reality of the situation, preparing for war as Jacob did, all the while praying to G-d for protection and a successful outcome. Just as the rockets of the Gulf war in 1991 couldn't kill any Jews, the hundreds of rockets in 2014 have failed as well. G-d's protection in the times of Jacob apply now more than ever. The Iron Dome has proven a true gift from G-d, through the incredible intelligence and ingenuity of Israel's Technicians at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

But what can we can do to help? Just as Jacob placed his faith in Divine protection, while doing everything he could practically to achieve success, so can we. Together with advocating for Israel's right to self defense in our newspapers, on social media and on radio, our prayers and good deeds can serve as a spiritual boost of energy to our Israeli family. We have the right to bare arms with the Mitzvah of Tefillin, and light up the darkness of the world with Shabbat candles Friday evening. May our prayers and increase in goodness lead G-d to finally end conflict and pain for our people and the world, once and for all, speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!

Rabbi Daniel Bortz