Preparing For Yom Hadeen/Rosh Hashana

The main Avoda of the Judgement Day is focusing on “Hashem Melech,” The King. That Hashem created the universe and He runs it all. He is the only one that has any power and only He can do anything for us.

EMUNAH is what we are working on gaining clarity for Rosh Hashana. Rambam: “I am Hashem your G-d” (Ten Commandments”), this is the Mitzvah to gain Awareness and Belief in Hashem. This is most fundamental and supercedes even admitting our sins (which we don’t do today) in front of the Heavenly court.

The great Purpose in life, to constantly improve, is something that Hashem is urging us and weighing. “Hashem imparts wisdom to the wise person” (not the jester) because He sees that this wise person will make the best use of this gift. So, we want to put ourselves in this position for the Great Day of Judgment, Yom Hadeen. “Asher Bara Elokim Laasot,” “…That Hashem created to do.”

The words ‘to do’ seem superfluous since it was already stated that “Hashem rested from all of the work that He did.” Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L explains that the words “to do” come to teach us the great purpose of life, to be a doer, to make something out of ourselves through constant improvement. Hashem, our Father, Avinu Malkenu, is waiting on Rosh Hashana to hear our commitment to improve. We can say, “Hashem, we are going to utilize the coming year to love and fear Hashem. To do everything to serve Hashem. I am going to make something out of myself.” When Hashem hears our commitment for the New Year, He says: “My child, I see that you are committing to improvement, I commit to giving you another year of life and blessing.”

“Hashem imparts wisdom to the wise.”

Tizku Leshanim Rabot

“Instead of that (or because) you did not serve Hashem your G-d in joy and in merry heart from abundance in everything.” (28:47)

“And you shall serve your enemies…in nakedness and in lack of everything.” (28:48)

The word ‘Tachat’ (”instead of”) implies something more than ‘because.’ Not “Because you did not serve…in joy,” but “Instead of serving…in joy.” The purpose of the joy that Hashem bestows is in order that the recipient be full of gratitude to the Bestower. And this Awareness of the Bestower is a Perfection for which men are created to gain.

But when habit blinds men from seeing the kindliness which Hashem bestows upon them, they are failing in their life’s purpose. Therefore they are caused to become aware of the happiness which had been given to them, by being now deprived of that happiness. They now look back and begin to perceive what they had once possessed. And they now understand the joy and the abundance of everything that Hashem had formerly given to them. Thus retroactively, in ness and want, they gain the Awareness of Hashem’s benefactions, instead of gaining that Awareness while they had possessed those benefactions.

Therefore the affliction which they now experience helps them to accomplish the purpose of their lives: to recognize the Kindness of the Great Benefactor. Their present adversity is therefore a gift of true Knowledge, gained now by affliction, instead of this Knowledge which could have been gained in joy and with a merry heart.

“Any person that has no Knowledge must in the end suffer exile”: as is said, ‘Therefore My people are exiled because of lack of Knowledge’ (Yeshaya 5:13) (Sanhedrin 92A). When they forget that their prosperity was due to Hashem’s kindliness (”they have no Knowledge”), therefore the remedy to restore this Knowledge is to deprive them of their happiness; and now in their affliction they look back and gain the Knowledge of Hashem’s kindliness to them in the happy days of old.

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L
“Step 1 to Teshuvah-realizing how much Hashem has done for you”

Shabbat Shalom

“Remember that which Hashem your G-d did to Miriam on the way when you went out from Egypt” (24:9)

This is a command of the Torah. I cannot tell you how often we are to fulfill this commandment. Some Siddurim say it should be said every day. The Chafetz Chaim based his sefer on this. We are not merely commanded, “Not to go around being tale-bearers amongst our people,” (Vayikra 19:16) but to remember what happened to Miriam, and the sin of Miriam was the sin that she was not judging others favorably.

Miriam’s sin was really quite small. First, she posed it as a question. “Is it not that we also speak with Hashem?” (Bamidbar 12:2) It was a legitimate question. After all Miriam was a prophetess herself, and received prophecy before Moshe. So why was she punished? Because the closer one is to Hashem, the more one is held accountable, and Miriam was very great. However, she misunderstood the perfection of Moshe and the immensity of the prophecy Moshe received from Hashem.

This event was made part of the Torah with the intention of teaching us the importance of judging others favorably and giving them the benefit of the doubt, and that the evil of lashon hara does not only bring Tzaraat, but a great many other forms of suffering. Much suffering descends upon a person because of speaking lashon hara.

“When a camp goes out to war against your enemies.” (Debarim 23:10)

You have no enemies except for yourself, and except for the Yetzer Hara, which everyone ignores. Your enemy is not that other man. Oh, he may want to kill you, but he can only take away your life. The Yetzer Hara wants to take away your Neshama/Soul. He is the real enemy.

Quoted from “The Path of Life” by Rabbi Yehoshua Danese

Shabbat Shalom

“You shall be wholehearted with Hashem your G-d.” (18:13)

‘Tamim’ means “complete” or “perfect.” Rabbenu Yonah (Shaare Teshuva 3:17) explains that perfection in Trust in Hashem (Bitachon) is here commanded. This comes to exclude the practices enumerated in the preceding verses. (18:9-12) These practices demonstrate an appeal for the favor of non-existent spiritual forces, and like idolatry, they constitute some measure of disloyalty to Hashem.

But just as is it wrong to transfer any trust to any strange imaginary gods, so also it is forbidden to transfer our trust to our own abilities and resources. Or to trust in men (no matter how righteous and powerful they may be). Or to trust in the forces of nature. “Complete” Trust in Hashem is required, even when one is energetic and capable of earning his livelihood.

And even when he is diligent in maintaining his good health, and even if he lives in a community or a nation that maintains law and order and is secure against all foreign enemies. Even the young man must look to Hashem every day for his life to continue on the morrow. Certainly, every man must seek to earn his livelihood and to preserve his health and safety. But all of his Trust must be solely in Hashem.

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

“You are children of Hashem your G-d.” (14:1)
[This Pasuk is referring to making a wound into ones skin as a sign of mourning as the idolaters do]

This is one of the most thunderous declarations in Hashem’s Torah. You and you alone, are Hashem’s children. This can be understood in at least three aspects, all true.

1) Because you are under My especial care, as a child under his parent’s care, you need not be overly distraught at the death of some loved one. I Hashem do solely what is good for My children, and the departed soul has been transported to the happiness of the Afterlife where it enjoys the closeness to his Father. Therefore, do not cut yourselves because of excessive grief (Ibn Ezra).

2) Because you are the sons of Hashem, therefore you should seek to emulate Him, just as sons resemble there father. Hashem hates idolatry and sorcery and all the practices of the nations, and His sons therefore must avoid such behavior.

3) Because you are the sons of Hashem, you must be handsome and well-groomed, and not lacerated with bloody wounds or plucked out hair (Sifri). This is indicated as a permanent requirement, but in instances of excessive grief, it must be reinforced by a special commandment. Also, because you are my children, you must be well behaved; for your behavior is a reflection on my honor. My children should not imitate the practices of wild grief and senseless idolatry.

We note that this tremendous declaration (”You are children of Hashem”) is absolute and unconditional. You are right now children of Hashem!

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

“And You shall bless Hashem.” (8:10)

The word U’Berachta (you shall bless) is from Barech, derived from Berech (a knee). It literally means not “bless” but “to bend the knees” in humility of deep gratitude. When one receives a gift from a Donor to Whom he is unable to repay, all that he can do is to demonstrate his humble gratitude (”bending the knee”) to his Benefactor. We cannot “bless Him,” but we can express our endless gratitude toward Him.

This principle of expressing our gratitude to our Benefactor is a cause of the greatest excellence in ourselves. “Sing, you righteous ones, to Hashem; for the upright, praise is befitting.” (Tehillim 33:1) This means: for those who desire to be upright, it is for their benefit to praise Hashem. Those persons that develop the genuine attitude of appreciating Hashems countless forms of kindliness will thereby gain a love of the Benefactor. And as they continue to sing to Him and to express His praise, they come closer to Him and thereby gain excellence of mind and character.

To attain the state of true love of Hashem is the highest Perfection. “He that sings (to Hashem) in this life is rewarded that he shall sing in the World to Come.” (Sanhedrin 91B) “The righteous sit with crowns on their heads and enjoy the splendor of the Shechina.” (Berachot 17A) “These crowns are the understanding of Hashem that they gained in this life.” (RMBM)

“Him you should serve.” (10:20)

Him alone you should serve. In all that one does, even in eating and sleeping, he should intend thereby to serve Hashem. But “serve” means more; even when doing nothing, he should consider himself as an Eved. This is based on a fundamental principle, as follows.

To be an Eved means to be humbled before Hashem. Why? Because of absolute gratitude for all that Hashem did for him, and which he is totally unable to repay. Because Hashem has showered us with a multitude of benefits, and because we can do nothing for Him in return, we are therefore totally humbled before Him as servants that are owned by their master. Thus to “serve” Hashem means to feel that we are servants that are Hashem’s property, for He has created us and has maintained us with such a multitude of benefits that we can repay only by the profoundest humility to Him. This humility is called Avodah (Service).

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

“For who is such a great people that has G-d near to him as Hashem our G-d whenever we call out to Him?” (4:7)

These two verses (4:7, declare that Israel is unequalled in greatness of two kinds:

1) they are unequalled in their privilege of calling to Hashem whenever they are in need

2) and they are without equal in the world because of the righteous laws that Hashem has bestowed upon them

Because of these two reasons, Israel is therefore the most important (”greatest”) nation.

Two unequalled privileges are here pointed out. In the daily Shemoneh Esreh we say: “For You listen with compassion to the prayer of Your people Israel.” And here we see the source of this statement. “Who is such a great people that has G-d near to him as Hashem our G-d whenever we call out to Him.” We are informed of a most exceptional status, that Hashem is most close to us and therefore grants His especial attention to the prayers of Israel.

In the following verse, we are informed of another unique privilege: “this Torah that I put before you today.” Although they are mentioned as two separate privileges (’For who is such a great people,” And who is such a great people”). Yet fundamentally they both stem from the fact that G-d is near to Israel. But this nearness is due to the Torah that they accepted, and which they loyally study and fulfill.

Thus the Torah study is declared as the chief service of Hashem: “The study of the Torah equals all of them.” (Peah 1:1) The greatest nearness is to think the same thoughts, and by learning His Torah one thinks Hashem’s thoughts.

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

Chodesh Av

Ahavat Yisrael

“And I shall bless those that bless you.” (12:3)

From the very beginning Hakadosh Baruch Hu decreed: “va’avarecha mevarachecha” – I will give berachot to all those who bless Am Yisrael. The Talmud (Hullin 49A) states that this promise extends also to the descendants of Abraham Abinu. Therefore, the first thing for us to understand is how great is our duty to bless the Jewish nation.

When you come to the last beracha in the Amida, you put all you have into it as you pray for Am Yisrael you say, “Establish peace, goodness and blessing, life, grace and kindness, and compassion over us and over all of Israel Your nation.” This beracha is so important because it is a mitzvah in the Torah to bless Am Yisrael.

When you walk down a Jewish street and every house has a big mezuzah on the door, say a beracha for the people who live in those houses. Say aloud that everyone in those homes should be well for many happy years. They should all have a comfortable livelihood, pleasure and satisfaction from their children, fine matches for their children, only semahot/happy occasions in their houses, nothing but joy.

And Hashem will say: I’m listening, and I shower my blessings on you. When you gain this attribute of constantly blessing Jews you will: receive blessings from Hashem, and fulfill a mitzvah from the Torah, and emulate Hashem who “Loves His Jewish nation” (Daily Prayers), and you will cause yourself to increase your own love of your Jewish brothers, which is another mitzvah of loving your fellow Jew, Ahavat Yisrael.

May we thereby gain the merit to see the rebuilding of The Bet Hamikdash soon.

Adapted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

“Mizmor Shir Leyom Hashabbat Tov Lehodot LaHashem…” (Tehillim 92:2)

“A Psalm, a song for the Shabbat Day: It is Good to give thanks to Hashem, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.” What is good? The best thing in the world is to give thanks to Hashem. That is our job and Shabbat is the time.

We are called ‘Yehudim’, after the name Yehuda that our great Mother Leah named her son. She said “This time I will Thank Hashem.” The Yehudim are the Nation whose purpose is to Thank Hashem.” Ki simachtani Hashem befaolecha…” You’ve made me happy Hashem with Your handiwork, I sing at the deeds of Your hands.”

It’s a wonderful and marvelous world! Look at the beautiful sky. Isn’t it a wonderful day? We have to teach ourselves the happiness of life. Life is happy and Hashem wants us to enjoy this great gift of Olam Hazeh (this world). “Olam hesed yibaneh.” (Tehillim 89:3) The world is built on Kindliness. We have a kindly Father. Instead of complaining and ignoring all the blessings He is showering on us, let’s utilize the Shabbat and sing of the deeds of Hashem’s Hands.

Let’s thank Hashem for Water which we cannot live without. Therefore, Hashem created the world with a reservoir covering 65% of the Earth. The Oceans are holding water which is briny and not suitable for drinking. So Hashem brings the Sun’s rays, from 93 million miles away, and in eight minutes (”ad mehera yarutz debaro” Tehillim) sunlight comes to the surface of the ocean causing the water to evaporate. Only pure distilled water vaporizes, rising to form clouds. Hashem causes the winds to blow (”mashiv haruach”) the clouds over the continents and condense. Pure, life giving, rain water is brought to the soil and our reservoirs.

This is a wondrous miracle, which we should keep in mind as we drink a glass of water. It is no less a miracle than when the bitter waters were purified through Moshe by putting a tree in the waters causing them to sweeten, according to Hashem’s command. “Vayimteku Hamayim,” “And the waters became sweet”! (Shemot 15:25)

Water causes your eyes to sparkle. It is the water that makes you able to see. Water is the most important element of the blood, causing your blood to be liquid and flow freely to bring nourishment to your body.

Baruch Hashem for the glass of Water! The elixir of Life! Shabbat should make us happy and filled with Bitachon and Peace of Mind, in the kindliness of Hashem. Try to appreciate that gift. That is part of the purpose of Shabbat.

Adapted from “Rav Avigdor Miller Speaks”

Shabbat Shalom

“A day of Teruah.” (29:1)

The vast significance of the day is given no mention in the Written Torah, and it was taught to Moshe as part of the Oral Torah. Such conspicuous instances where the written words cry out for some explanation were intentionally planned by Hashem for the purpose of emphasizing the necessity of recourse to the Sages that teach the Oral Law. The nations of the world that sought to imitate the Torah and usurp the name of Israel were ignorant of the Oral Law, and thereby they demonstrate their falsehood; and their teachings become harmful and unjust, for they lack the essential modifications which are supplied by the Oral Law in the hands of Hashem’s people.

We declare on this day: “Today was the birthday of the Universe.” Thus the Oral Torah reveals the immense impact of the beginning of a new year of the World’s existence (as apart from the year which begins at Nissan, which was the time of the beginning of the Torah-Nation). Thus this day is the occasion of a new start, which requires the effort of men to begin a more virtuous life of service to Hashem and compliance with His Torah.

Thus this day becomes a Day of Judgment, when we return to Hashem and rededicate ourselves to Him as the Creator of the Universe and the King who controls all of Reality. This is the fundamental and most urgent Repentance, to proclaim today that Hashem is King. He is King for He is the Creator and His creation is for the purpose of affording men opportunity to attain Perfection. Therefore this anniversary of the Creation is a day of judgment to ascertain how men have used the opportunity.

Quoted from “Journey Into Greatness” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom