VOLUME 20, ISSUE 36 FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013 / 24 ELUL 5773
TORAH PORTION: NITZAVIM- VAYAYLECH (DEUTERONOMY 29:9 – 31:30)
CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:06 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS: 8:15 PM (CHICAGO)
This week’s Shabbat Fax/Email is dedicated by Bruce & Kiki Wittert wishing Mazel Tov to our wonderful children Mitch and Amy Rose, on the occasion of Yosef Chaim’s ‘upsherin’ – his third birthday and special first haircut! May he grow to be a great human being and a great Jew, who is a pride to his family and the entire community. We wish to thank CTN for all they have done for our entire family.
Special Rosh Hashanah Issue
1. ‘IT IS YOUR WAY, OUR G-D, TO BE PATIENT WITH BOTH THE BAD PEOPLE AND THE GOOD PEOPLE …” (FROM THE SPECIAL HIGH HOLIDAY SEASON, ‘SELICHOT’ SERVICE, THAT BEGINS THIS SATURDAY NIGHT.)
G-d is patient with us. It’s an important theme to remember during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
We remind ourselves that G-d is understanding.
That not only do we have faith in Him, but He has faith in us. He waits for us to return. To improve.
… But there’s something a little strange about this line from the prayers.
We talk about how G-d is patient. With bad people. And with good people.
… That He is patient with the bad people, we can understand.
After all, they need it. They’re bad!
But ‘patient with the good people’?
What’s wrong with them? They’re good! Why do they need G-d’s patience? Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur should be a breeze for them!
… It’s a very powerful Jewish message.
Because there is a real danger that faces a good person.
Complacency. Being comfortable with where we are.
Not looking to grow further.
… The High Holidays and their self-improvement message aren’t just if we’re bad.
They’re just as important if we’re good.
If we are connected to G-d. And we really care about others.
… They tell us: Don’t stop! Don’t get comfortable with where you are at.
Always look to grow. To accomplish even more.
Use each day and every opportunity to become a better person. And a better Jew.
… Because in Judaism, self-improvement is for everyone.
2. THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
Rosh Hashanah. Hebrew for the New Year.
The word shana, Hebrew for year, literally means to “repeat,”. And so the cycle of the year is called shana.
But in Hebrew it can have another meaning as well.
To “change”.
As we approach the new year, and will once again deal with situations that we’ve dealt with before, we are presented with a choice:
Do we want this shana, this year, to simply be a repetition?
Or do we want to make a change?
The answer can make the whole difference in the kind of year it is.
And the kind of person we become.
3. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I look for what I can do, and I do it. If I can’t do anything, I don’t worry about it.” (Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler)