by Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
The saying goes in Ladino with words that rhyme: "Purim Purim Lanu Pesah en la mano” i.e. Purim Purim for us, Pesah is at hand - meaning as soon as Purim is here, we are already thinking about Pesah.
I am tempted to recite “Pesah Pesah Lanu Rosh Hashanah esta en la mano”, because it seems as though Pesah was only a short time ago. Truly the passage of time as we grow older seems to be speeding - in fact, life is fleeting. We have to make the most of the time that is granted to us by the All Mighty, and to realize that life is precious.
We cannot afford to waste a minute, we have to do those things that life is worth living for. To set us in this mood, we have been given this season of the High Holidays. Rosh Hashana. Ten days of Penitence. Yom Kippur. Succoth. Simhat Tora. An entire month dedicated to reflection and to action.
Every aspect of our lives has an ingredient of that, which needs retrospection, and evaluation, leading us to action, whether it is in sad, reflective moments, or afflicted or happy and joyous moments. All of them requires introspection to make the most of it in a positive way, learning to value every moment of our lives to appreciate the difference of what is good and real in our lives, what is false and fleeting and wasteful.
This year, before Rosh Hashanah, many of us will find ourselves very busy thinking about what is happening to our world, to our United States, to our Israel, and to our community at large, even to ourselves. We are living in trouble times. The economy is just the latest of challenges facing us all. Even though many people are working - and for some there is optimism that things are going to improve - and many have permanent jobs, many others have lost their jobs, or they are waiting to learn what might happen to them.
Insecurity is prevalent. Even those who have jobs and money are profoundly affected. The climate is one of fear about an uncertain future. Add to this the personal and emotional anxieties that many of us grapple with daily. Between the psychological forces and the health issues that many of us face which drains us, we realize we have a lot to deal with. We cannot fathom how
G-d runs this universe of ours, since He does this in combination with our actions and our free will. Yet nothing is clear, for we are faced with things that happen in front of us that confound us and cloud our perspective of what is right and wrong.
Many of us looked forward to the future, with our own plans of what we think ought to happen. Suddenly we can find that all of our plans are disrupted. Then we begin to wonder why. When it was planned it looked perfect, it was well thought out. Yet as the saying goes, again in Ladino, “El hombre propone y D-ios dispone” i.e. “Man proposes, G-d disposes.” In reality, we might be thinking hard and calculating, planning, evaluating about how it ought to be - only to find out that in the bigger scheme of things, our thoughts, our plans and our evaluations amount to nothing.
This is why I believe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and this entire season is necessary to awaken in us our inner faith, hope and believe in a better future, not to succumb to the quagmire of despair. To activate our inner energy within our souls, to pray to the One who is All Powerful. We may not have an exact strategy, but if we assume a resigned attitude, we will lose even before we begin.
Our Jewish tradition is that every challenge, every adversity must begin with absolute fortitude and belief that victory is at hand. This is the root of faith. Faith that we will prevail with
G-d's help. The breaths of fresh air of the newness of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the resolve of our faiths will have the power to counter the winds of our uncertainty. Rosh Hashanah is urging us open the window of your heart and breathe the fresh air of faith, as you are. Smell the flowers of gratitude for what you have and feel the hopeful breeze of your life.
In Deuteronomy chapter 11, verse12. “The eyes of The L-rd your G-d are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year” is interpreted by our rabbis to mean that, “At the beginning of the year, G-d decides and plans the entire year according to the deeds of man”.
This year I am praying to Hashem to grant us miracles to see with our own eyes the healing of our sick congregants, to answer our prayers with a yes, for Refuah Shelema, to grant us and our families a good healthy and peaceful year with good Parnassa (livelihood) to be able to do Tzedaka and kindness for others. To receive good news from our children and grandchildren, to be granted harmony and to crown the efforts of our members for the enhancement and strength of our congregation.
May this year bring us closer to our complete redemption and may we be blessed with a good and healthy year. ”Tizku Leshanim Rabbot Neimot Vetovot Amen.
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
The saying goes in Ladino with words that rhyme: "Purim Purim Lanu Pesah en la mano” i.e. Purim Purim for us, Pesah is at hand - meaning as soon as Purim is here, we are already thinking about Pesah.
I am tempted to recite “Pesah Pesah Lanu Rosh Hashanah esta en la mano”, because it seems as though Pesah was only a short time ago. Truly the passage of time as we grow older seems to be speeding - in fact, life is fleeting. We have to make the most of the time that is granted to us by the All Mighty, and to realize that life is precious.
We cannot afford to waste a minute, we have to do those things that life is worth living for. To set us in this mood, we have been given this season of the High Holidays. Rosh Hashana. Ten days of Penitence. Yom Kippur. Succoth. Simhat Tora. An entire month dedicated to reflection and to action.
Every aspect of our lives has an ingredient of that, which needs retrospection, and evaluation, leading us to action, whether it is in sad, reflective moments, or afflicted or happy and joyous moments. All of them requires introspection to make the most of it in a positive way, learning to value every moment of our lives to appreciate the difference of what is good and real in our lives, what is false and fleeting and wasteful.
This year, before Rosh Hashanah, many of us will find ourselves very busy thinking about what is happening to our world, to our United States, to our Israel, and to our community at large, even to ourselves. We are living in trouble times. The economy is just the latest of challenges facing us all. Even though many people are working - and for some there is optimism that things are going to improve - and many have permanent jobs, many others have lost their jobs, or they are waiting to learn what might happen to them.
Insecurity is prevalent. Even those who have jobs and money are profoundly affected. The climate is one of fear about an uncertain future. Add to this the personal and emotional anxieties that many of us grapple with daily. Between the psychological forces and the health issues that many of us face which drains us, we realize we have a lot to deal with. We cannot fathom how
G-d runs this universe of ours, since He does this in combination with our actions and our free will. Yet nothing is clear, for we are faced with things that happen in front of us that confound us and cloud our perspective of what is right and wrong.
Many of us looked forward to the future, with our own plans of what we think ought to happen. Suddenly we can find that all of our plans are disrupted. Then we begin to wonder why. When it was planned it looked perfect, it was well thought out. Yet as the saying goes, again in Ladino, “El hombre propone y D-ios dispone” i.e. “Man proposes, G-d disposes.” In reality, we might be thinking hard and calculating, planning, evaluating about how it ought to be - only to find out that in the bigger scheme of things, our thoughts, our plans and our evaluations amount to nothing.
This is why I believe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and this entire season is necessary to awaken in us our inner faith, hope and believe in a better future, not to succumb to the quagmire of despair. To activate our inner energy within our souls, to pray to the One who is All Powerful. We may not have an exact strategy, but if we assume a resigned attitude, we will lose even before we begin.
Our Jewish tradition is that every challenge, every adversity must begin with absolute fortitude and belief that victory is at hand. This is the root of faith. Faith that we will prevail with
G-d's help. The breaths of fresh air of the newness of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the resolve of our faiths will have the power to counter the winds of our uncertainty. Rosh Hashanah is urging us open the window of your heart and breathe the fresh air of faith, as you are. Smell the flowers of gratitude for what you have and feel the hopeful breeze of your life.
In Deuteronomy chapter 11, verse12. “The eyes of The L-rd your G-d are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year” is interpreted by our rabbis to mean that, “At the beginning of the year, G-d decides and plans the entire year according to the deeds of man”.
This year I am praying to Hashem to grant us miracles to see with our own eyes the healing of our sick congregants, to answer our prayers with a yes, for Refuah Shelema, to grant us and our families a good healthy and peaceful year with good Parnassa (livelihood) to be able to do Tzedaka and kindness for others. To receive good news from our children and grandchildren, to be granted harmony and to crown the efforts of our members for the enhancement and strength of our congregation.
May this year bring us closer to our complete redemption and may we be blessed with a good and healthy year. ”Tizku Leshanim Rabbot Neimot Vetovot Amen.
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen
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