Artwork by: Yehudah Lang
Rosh Hashanah is considered the world's birthday. Although the earth flourished with mineral, vegetative, and vibrant animal life before Adam and Eve, the celebration awaited their arrival.
The Rebbe finds significance in the timing of the Jewish New Year. It aligns with the birth of humanity, marking "The day of the beginning of G-d's works."
Reflecting on the four life forms mineral, vegetative, animal, and human, it's clear that the true celebration begins with the awakening of our humanity.
Material possessions and indulgence pale in comparison to discovering our spiritual purpose. Rosh Hashanah, in its calendar placement, emphasizes the celebration of the purpose-driven individuals a "mentsch" with a higher calling.
This idea offers solace amidst our world of chaos and distraction. As we traverse the "Four Kingdoms" daily, engaging in mundane activities, Rosh Hashanah reminds us that our true humanity reveals itself when we enter the Divine space of prayer, study, and service of others.
5784 years ago, on the sixth day of Creation, Adam and Eve were born. They immediately recognized their purpose and inspired the universe to join them in creating a dwelling for the Divine on Earth. Through their example, the "four kingdoms" can converge into one, finding harmony through our ultimate mission.
(Based on a 1953 Rosh Hashanah message from the Rebbe)
Wishing
Directors, Chabad Jewish Center
Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year). The Kabbalists teach that, what your brain is to your body, Rosh Hashanah is to the year. It's the Head of the Year. It's the nerve center of the year. So what happens on Rosh Hashanah impacts the entire year.
AKA: Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance) in our prayers, blessing at candle lighting, and in the Kidush.
Observance: Hear the Shofar! When the first day of Rosh Hashanah occurs on Shabbat, like this year, the shofar is not sounded. Be sure to hear the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. The sound of the shofar marked the start of our
nation at Sinai, and Isiah prophesied that a great shofar blast would announce the arrival of Moshiach.
Eat apple dipped in honey on the first night to symbolize our desire for a sweet year. (See blessing in Machzor page 46.) We have a head of a fish to symbolize our desire to be at the "head of the class" this year. Pomegranates symbolize our wish for a year full of mitzvot and good deeds as a pomegranate is filled with seeds. Eat a new fruit on the second night and recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. (See Machzor page 46)
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, a special prayer is said near a body of water with fish in it. Water is a symbol of Divine kindness. Fish symbolizes an ever-open eye, making it the perfect place to pray for Divine mercy. (See Kehot’s Machzor for Rosh Hashanah.)
sept. 24-25
Definition: Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement." Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year.
The 5 Don'ts: 1) Abstain from food and drink. 2) Do not wash your body.
3) Do not anoint your body with creams or lotions. 4) Do not wear leather footwear.
5) Abstain from marital relations.
How We Prep:
In the early morning hours before Yom Kippur, we take a fish, or chicken, or money and give it to charity in the Kaparot ceremony. (See Kehot's Machzor for Yom Kippur, page 2.) Request and receive a slice of honey cake. Should you ever need to ask for anything this year, let it be for this piece of cake. Eat a festive meal, immerse in a mikvah, and give extra charity. In the late afternoon, we eat the pre-fast meal. Ask your parents for a blessing, bless your children, and light a memorial candle (if applicable). Girls and women light candles 18 minutes before sunset.
What To Wear: Men wear a tallit during the Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur evening service.
sept.
29-oct.
Historical Background: Sukkot means "Huts." The Jews enjoyed the protection of the miraculous "clouds of glory" as they traversed the Sinai Desert following the Exodus. Therefore, G-d commanded us to dwell in a Sukkah for the duration of Sukkot (on the Jewish calendar Tishrei 15-21).
AKA: Z'man Simchateinu (Our Time of Rejoicing). All holidays are joyous. However, Sukkot is the only holiday called "The Time of your Rejoicing."
Observance: Eat all your meals in the Sukkah hut, and otherwise regard it as your home. SHAKE: Take the Four Kinds: a) an Etrog (citron), b) a Lulav (palm frond), c) three Hadassim (myrtle twigs), and d) two Aravot (willow twigs). On each day of the festival (besides Shabbat), we recite a blessing bringing them together in our hands, and wave them in all six directions: right, left, forward, up, down, and backward. Taking the Four Kinds is also known as "Shaking the Lulav." For instructions, see page 5.
Sukkah without making the special blessing upon the Sukkah.
Israel Vs. Diaspora:
How to Celebrate?
Custom: Sometime before sundown, it is customary to go into the Sukkah, have a bite to eat, and "bid farewell" to its holy shade. As the sun sets and Simchat Torah begins, we no longer use the Sukkah. All eating and drinking return to our homes.
Simchat Torah: "The Joy of the Torah." It is the most joyous occasion as we celebrate our Divine inheritance and our intrinsic inner connection to the Torah.
Let's Dance: Simchat Torah features the Hakafot, held on both the eve and the morning of Simchat Torah. We march and dance with the Torah scrolls seven times around the reading table in the synagogue. Notice that we will be dancing with the Torah while it is closed, showing that the joy is not only from what the Torah teaches but from what the Torah is.
www.JewishNewYear.com GUIDE high holidays 5784
Chol Hamoed: (Literally, "the weekday of the holiday") refers to the "intermediate period" of the festivals (Tishrei 17-20). We eat in the Sukkah, shake the Lulav, drink wine and rejoice, but work is permitted.
ON SUKKOT, THE TORAH COMMANDS THE JEWS TO BUNDLE TOGETHER THE "FOUR KINDS," KNOWN AS THE LULAV & ETROG, EVERY DAY (EXCLUDING SHABBAT).
THE FOUR KINDS ARE :
*a palm branch (Lulav), *two willow branches (aravot), *a minimum of three myrtle branches (hadasim), *and one citron fruit (Etrog).
This ritual waving of the Four Kinds is commonly called "Shaking the Lulav."
Hold the Lulav in your dominant hand and recite:
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-dohnoi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh
hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr kideh-shah-noo beh-mitz-vohtahv veh-tzee-vah-noo ahl neh-tee-laht loo-lahv.
(Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding taking the Lulav.)
Hold the Etrog in your weaker hand (the following blessing is said only the first time you use a Lulav & Etrog each year):
Sukkot is all about the power of unity. The four kinds you are holding symbolize the diversity that becomes one community. The different kinds represent individuals with varying levels of knowledge (taste) and observance (fragrance). By bringing these different types together, we symbolize our nation's unity and collective strength that transcends our external differences.
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-dohnoi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-khehyah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh.
(Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)
Bring the Lulav and etrog together, and you've done the mitzvah!
The custom is to wave the "Four Kinds" in all six directions—south, north, east, up, down, and west and bring it back to your heart.
Important Note: The Lulav should always remain vertical during the wavings, so "down" means lowering the stem, not flipping it upside down by pointing the top towards the ground.
Best Practice: Sure, it's best to shake the Lulav in a sukkah, but it is not required.
PALM BRANCH (LULAV)
The Image: looks like a spine. The Torah scholar and the unwavering law are the backbone of our people. The palm branch has taste (knowledge) but doesn't have the fragrance of action or community involvement.
Stay Together: The different leaves of the palm branch must be tightly united for the Lulav to be kosher.
WILLOW BRANCHES (ARAVOT)
The Image: Looks like lips. Without any taste or fragrance, the weeping willow's broken heart teaches the others how to pray sincerely.
Stay Together: Willow branches grow in groups, each leaf touching the other.
MYRTLE (HADASIM) LEAVES
The Image: The shape of the human eye—the ability to see the needs of others. The myrtle has the sweet smell of action and community involvement but lacks the taste of knowledge.
Stay Together: While most branches see one or two leaves growing together, the myrtle sprouts three leaves in one area.
CITRON (ETROG)
The Image: Shaped like the human heart; its taste and fragrance imply that it is knowledgable and active, making it truly the heart of the matter.
Stay Together: The Etrog ripens on the vine throughout the entire year, absorbing and growing from each of the four seasons. In this way, the etrog unites summer, fall, spring, and winter all in one fruit.
The mitzvah of sukkah also emphasizes the theme of unity. You and all your parts, including your hat and cellphone, are enveloped within the sukkah's walls. The sukkah's unifying power brings different people together. Like the Talmud says (Sukkah 27b), "All of Israel are fit to dwell in a single sukkah." However, while the sukkah highlights the collective nature of our people, the mitzvah of Lulav and Etrog spotlights each one of the individuals who comprise this collective unity.
This past spring, "Jewish Matchmaking" premiered on Netflix. It showed different Jews from the United States and Israel trying to find love. Aleeza Ben Shalom, a successful matchmaker based in Israel, guided the singles throughout the dating process.
On the show, Ben Shalom has a big smile and a sweet presence. She listens to her client's wants and needs without judgment and aims to find the best person possible for them. It's not an easy job, but it is one that she's loved doing ever since she married her soulmate, Gershon, two decades ago.
"This is the perfect job for me," said Ben Shalom. "I love the people I work with. I love the challenge. I love the growth and changes that happen over time. I love the diversity of the people I work with. And I love packaging Jewish wisdom in bite-sized pieces so anyone can grow, learn, and find love."
Matchmaking wasn't on Ben Shalom's radar growing up. She came from a Jewish home but only went to the synagogue on the holidays. Eventually, she got involved with youth groups like USY and BBYO, which she said had "a profound effect on my connection to Judaism and helped me establish friendships with other Jewish kids."
When she was 17 years old, she tried to keep Shabbat after coming home from a summer trip with USY Israel Pilgrimage, but that only lasted two weeks.
"Then, at age 24, after another Jewish retreat, I came home inspired and determined to keep Shabbat," she said. "And since then, I've kept Shabbat for the last 22 years."
What did she enjoy about Shabbat?
"I felt a connection to my roots," she said. "I felt happy when I kept Shabbat. And I felt G-d's presence in my life. I
wanted to make Judaism more present in my life. I knew I wanted to raise my children this way and decided to start by doing it myself."
At the same retreat, when Ben Shalom was soul-searching and trying to figure out the meaning of life, she also met Gershon.
"When he and I met, we were still dating other people," she said. "And a few months later, we were both single and realized we needed to date each other. We dated for three weeks, and four months later, we got married. In general, a wedding so fast is a recipe for disaster. But for us, it was the perfect recipe for a life full of love."
After Ben Shalom married and started having kids, she started working on her matchmaking business, jmatchmaking. com, a site where matchmakers set people up. Unlike on dating apps, singles can't swipe or browse.
"It was something I could do from home while still focusing on raising my kids," she said. "It seemed like the ideal way to make a difference in the world while being a wife and mother."
Then, several years later, Ben Shalom's friend, also a matchmaker, referred her to Netflix for a new show called "Jewish Matchmaking." The show would have an Orthodox Jewish producer and respect Ben Shalom's requirements, like having kosher food and not traveling on Shabbat. She agreed to be involved.
"The crew was incredibly respectful," she said. "They bought me a suitcase for all my kosher pots and pans. They let me stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel so I could cook while I was away. It was also a huge blessing to work with the show's producers. Everyone was receptive to my comments and suggestions for capturing my authentic matchmaking process."
The show has been an enormous hit, capturing the attention of Jewish and
non-Jewish audiences alike, curious about how Jewish matchmaking works.
"Who knew I liked being on camera, but it was a good fit," said Ben Shalom. "It was as if the film crew didn't exist. I was me, doing what I do best. But I happened to have cameras around."
The Netflix show about finding love showcases a Shabbat observant matchmaker, you'll also catch a few blessings over wine or bread, and viewers will hear characters on the show speak about the beauty of men wearing Tefillin. The show allowed Ben Shalom to fulfill her purpose while simultaneously making a kiddush Hashem, publicly sanctifying G-d's name.
"I eat, sleep, breath dating, soulmates, and love," she said. "Working on the show was a dream."
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR LOVE? CHECK OUT THESE HELPFUL TIPS FROM THE JEWISH MATCHMAKER HERSELF.
1. DON'T RUSH TO BREAK UP. YOU CAN ALWAYS DO THAT AFTER ANOTHER DATE. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON. SEE HOW YOU HANDLE MORE TIME WITH THEM. GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO CONNECT; IT OFTEN DOESN'T HAPPEN INSTANTLY.
2. SMILE! YOUR FACE IS A REFLECTION OF WHOM YOU'RE WITH. SHOW THEM YOU'RE HAPPY TO BE AROUND THEM. IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, THAT'S OKAY. BUT WHILE YOU'RE DATING, TRY TO ENJOY AND RELAX.
3. NEVER STOP LOOKING! NEVER GIVE UP. IF YOU WANT SOMEONE, DON'T STOP UNTIL YOU FIND THEM.
By Kylie Ora Lobell
>>> Photo courtesy of Netflix
Uncover layer upon layer of insights on the weekly Parsha and Festivals.
» ELEGANT NEW DESIGN
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My father was a profoundly religious Catholic, and most of my childhood was spent with him inside our southern Pennsylvania church. My siblings and I sang in the choir and served as altar boys.
As I entered my teenage years, I became rebellious despite my strong faith. Eventually, in my senior year, I was expelled from high school and started living independently. But living on your own costs money, and since I couldn't hold a job, I was soon looking at an eviction notice. Feeling overwhelmed and seeking a fresh start, I loaded a few pairs of jeans and Metallica t-shirts into a box and drove my Nissan Pathfinder toward the lights of New York City.
Far from my parents, I found freedom from my Catholic youth. But like my first attempt at independent living, my carefree journey of living out of my car and partying took a turn when my money ran out, and the NYPD finally impounded my car.
It was wintertime, and I was sitting alone in a Starbucks that smelled of pumpkin spice, hoping someone would buy me a hot drink. It was a new world with endless possibilities, but I had no plan.
As the sun set, I noticed a teenager wearing a kippa ordering a kosher black coffee. Seeking to connect in this unfamiliar place, I quickly started chatting with him and mentioned that I was Catholic, but my mother was Jewish, like him. He smiled and said, "That means you are also Jewish."
What? It had never occurred to me that I might be Jewish. Luckily, I now know that the teenager in a kippa was right. I am Jewish, and today, I'm a Chabad Rabbi living
in Florida, and I see this "chance" encounter as the turning point in my story of how I went from a Catholic Boy to a Chabad Rabbi.
When I think about it, it's incredible how two teenagers
new path in life.
That Starbucks chat set me on a course that would lead me to discover and embrace my Jewish heritage. That night, we talked about the concept of the soul, the
hundreds of men draped in what looked like striped sheets. Things got stranger when a man asked me to roll up my sleeve, and I had a black leather strap tied around my arm. But, suddenly, when I heard the Hebrew words "Baruch Ata.." I had flashbacks to when I was a kid, and we said those exact words to celebrate my mother's culture of lighting the menorah. At that moment, I felt at home, realizing that those were my words and that Judaism belonged to me.
After wrapping tefillin and saying the shema, I took one small step after another. I enrolled in the Yeshiva and immersed myself in the study. That's when my journey to keeping kosher started. The kitchen at the school was kosher, and I had separate dishes at home for when I would visit.
Living in a kosher community, I enjoyed the neighborhood's friendly, genuine care. These moral values helped change me. The environment, the kosher diet, and the authenticity of my heritage somehow transformed me. At one point, I decided to become a Rabbi and learn how to give back.
After reconnecting with my parents and moving back home, it took a lot of work to retain the atmosphere of the Yeshiva, and I struggled with keeping kosher. Eventually, I moved back to Crown Heights and was fortunate to have my own space with a kosher kitchen.
collided at a Starbucks in New York City. One was from a traditional Chabad family in Brooklyn, just stopping in for a drink on his way back from an orthodontist appointment in the City, and the other was me, a former altar boy searching for a
meaning of life, and the principles of Jewish law. I thought about the idea that Jewish lineage is through the mother. I followed my heart and my new friend to the Chabad headquarters in Crown Heights.
Everything was new for me, and I felt strange standing among
I'm a Rabbi and teacher today, but I'll never forget that kosher black coffee and the people who helped me along the way.
ABOUT: Rabbi Matisyahu Devlin was raised as a Catholic and is now a Chabad Rabbi in Florida. He told his story on TorahCafe.com.
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based on The incredible s Tory of r abbi MatiSyahu Devlin
one of the most famous Jewish symbols is the shofar. The Hebrew word shofar means horn, which refers to the biblical commandment to sound the shofar on the Jewish New Year. The shofar's cry has no lyrics, and that's precisely the point. The shofar's sound means many things to many people, and they are all true. The lost little girl's cry to find her parents, the fierce general's battle cry, or the royal coronation of an ancient king, the shofar is that wordless sound that says it all.
The shofar of Rosh Hashanah has been the spiritual alarm clock of our nation. The shofar's cry is a wake-up call that can keep us spiritually awake all year.
In 1648, Eastern European Jews were in deep slumber, nearly unconscious, due to the devastating pogroms and false messiahs amidst their challenging economic and political circumstances. However, in 1698, a man named Israel Baal Shem Tov was born, and his new Chasidic movement's primary goal was clear: to rouse Jews from their state of "unconsciousness."
Centuries before, the renowned philosopher Moses Maimonides (11381204) echoed a similar sentiment, urging, "Awaken, you sleepers! Rise from your slumber! Reflect on your actions, return in repentance, and remember your Creator! Those who lose sight of truth amid empty
pursuits, obsessed with fleeting and worthless matters that offer no salvation or benefit, examine your souls, improve your ways, and align your motivations!"
The following is a brief overview of the sounds and significance of the shofar:
The word shofar means horn but can also be translated as shapir, which means improving, shining, or polishing. The name itself encourages us to be the most polished version of ourselves. We may not choose our capabilities, but we can choose to do our best.
The shape: Unlike a straight clarinet, the shofar is inherently bent. This bent shape serves as a reminder to direct our hearts toward Heaven and others. The shofar can "bend" and twist our innate self-love into compassionate love and care for others.
The shofar blower produces sounds by blowing air through the narrow mouthpiece, which then travels through the gradual expansion of the horn until it reaches its final openness. This transformative journey, from a constricted and limited space to one of expansiveness and growth, is beautifully expressed by King David in the book of Psalms: "From out of distress I called to You, and You answered me with ample
By Benjamin Shermanrelief." The shofar serves as a reminder that our most powerful inner voice often emerges during moments of narrow distress.
The shofar's blowing comprises three basic sounds known as tekia, shevarim, truah. The tekia is a complete long blast, the shevarim is three shorter blats, and the truah is nine rapid blasts. The tekia is always at the start and end of each shofar blowing. The Rosh Hashanah shofar service includes different combinations of these sounds.
Contact your local Chabad for a Shofar service near you.
" our most powerful inner voice often emerges during moments of narrow distress "
Happy birthday World! “In the beginning, [on this day 5784 years ago,] G-d created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)
We won’t formally celebrate until the birthday of humanity, on day six of creation.
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During Elul, the month before the High Holidays, we begin practicing blowing the Shofar daily and reciting Psalm 27 in our daily prayers. The code of Jewish Law encourages people to visit the resting place of a great tzadik to pray to G-d before the High Holidays. Many people today use the online form at www.OhelChabad.com to send their letters for blessings to the resting place of the Rebbe.
Contact us or visit www.JewishNewYear.com
SEPT 27 |
SEPT 17 | TISHREI 2
OCT 2 | TISHREI 7 SEPT 18 |
TISHREI 2
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Hear the Shofar
Hear the Shofar
TISHREI 3 Fast of Gedaliah
SEPT 19 | TISHREI 4
Do Tashlich at a body of water
Do Tashlich at a body of water
Havdalah after nightfall
Havdalah after nightfall
Fast day mourning the assassination of the Jewish royal Gedaliah ben Achikam in 423 BCE
On this day in 1677 BCE our matriarch Sarah passed away after hearing the good news that her husband Abraham had not sacrificed her only son Isaac.
On this day in 1677 BCE our matriarch Sarah passed away after hearing the good news that her husband Abraham had not sacrificed her only son Isaac.
SEPT 24 | TISHREI 9
Erev Yom Kippur
Kaparot
Give extra charity
Light candles 18 minutes before sunset.
Fast begins
Remove leather shoes
Kol Nidrei prayer
OCT 1 |
TISHREI 16
Sukkot Day 2
Shake the Lulav and Etrog
Kidush and all meals in the Sukkah and dip challah in honey!
Havdalah in the Sukkah after nightfall
Tonight's Guest: Jacob
OCT 8 |
TISHREI 23
Simchat Torah
Perform Hakafot and dance with the Torah
Kidush and all meals in the house
Havdalah after nightfall
SEPT 25 | TISHREI 10 Yom Kippur
No eating or drinking
Sounding of Shofar at conclusion of Neilah
Havdalah & break-fast after nightfall
On this day G-d said: “I forgive the Jewish people.”
OCT 2 | TISHREI 17
Chol Hamoed
Shake the Lulav and Etrog
All meals in the Sukkah
Tonight's Guest: Moses
SEPT 26 | TISHREI 11
Start building the Sukkah.
Don’t forget to order your set of The Four Kinds.
OCT 3 | TISHREI 18
Chol Hamoed
Shake the Lulav and Etrog
All meals in the Sukkah
Tonight's Guest: Aaron
SEPT 13 | ELUL 27
SEPT 29 | TISHREI 4
SEPT 30 | TISHREI 5
Erev Rosh Hashanah
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE SWAP BEACH BAGS FOR TALLIT BAGS, AND TWITTER FOR THE SIDDUR. THE MONTH OF TISHREI IS FULL OF MOMENTOUS OCCASIONS AND MEANINGFUL CUSTOMS AND RITUALS. IT’S LIKE THE FREE WI-FI ZONE AT THE AIRPORT WHERE YOU DOWNLOAD EVERYTHING YOU’LL NEED BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF INTO A FRESH NEW YEAR.
SEPT 20 | TISHREI 5
SEPT 21 | TISHREI 6
Yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
SEPT 27 | TISHREI 12
SEPT 28 | TISHREI 13
OCT 4 | TISHREI 19
Chol Hamoed
Shake the Lulav and Etrog
All meals in the Sukkah
Tonight's Guest: Joseph
OCT 5 | TISHREI 20
Chol Hamoed
Shake the Lulav and Etrog
All meals in the Sukkah
Tonight's Guest: David
Light candles 18 minutes before sunset.
Shofar is not blown
Give extra charity
Light candles 18 minutes before sunset
Bless your friends with the words “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”
SEPT 22 | TISHREI 7
Light candles 18 minutes before sunset
SEPT 29 | TISHREI 14
Erev Sukkot
Light candles 18 minutes before sunset.
Kidush and all meals in the Sukkah, and dip challah in honey!
On Sukkot, supernal "guests" grace our Sukkah. These guests are known as Ushpizin.
Tonight's Guest: Abraham
OCT 6 | TISHREI 21
Hoshana Rabba
Shake the Lulav and Etrog
Perform Hoshanot
All meals in the Sukkah
Light candles 18 minutes before sunset
Perform Hakafot and dance with the Torah
OCT 1 | TISHREI 6
Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Shofar is not blown
Torah portion Vayeilech
Shabbat Shuva, Shabbat of Return
Light candles after nightfall from pre-existing flame
Passing of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (1879-1964), mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Happy Birthday Adam & Eve. On this day 5784 year ago G-d said: “Let Us make man in Our image.”
SEPT 23 | TISHREI 8
Shabbat of Teshuva
Torah portion Ha’azinu
One of only two Shabbats that a rabbi is required to sermonize in Shul. The theme of this sermon is to inspire people to return to their true pure selves and pristine relationship with G-d.
SEPT 30 | TISHREI 15
Sukkot Day 1
Do not Shake the Lulav and Etrog
Kidush and all meals in the Sukkah and dip challah in honey!
Light candles after nightfall from pre-existing flame
Tonight's Guest: Isaac
OCT 7 | TISHREI 22
Shemini Atzeret
Recite Yizkor Memorial Prayer
Recite Prayer for Rain
Light candles after nightfall from pre-existing flame
Perform Hakafot and dance with the Torah
1) Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of...
Bo-ruch a-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ho-olom a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-sov ve-tzi-vo-nu le-had-lik ner shel...
SEPT. 15:
Sha-bos V'shel Yom Ha-zi-karon
SEPT. 16: Yom Ha-zi-karon
SEPT. 22:
Sha-bos ko-desh (Do not recite blessing #2)
SEPT. 24: Yom Ha-kipurim
SEPT. 29 & OCT. 6:
Sha-bos V'shel Yom Tov
SEPT. 30 & OCT. 7: Yom Tov
2) Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and let us reach this time.
Bo-ruch a-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ho-olom she-he-che-ya-nu vi-kee-yi-ma-nu vi-hi-gee-an-u liz-man ha-zeh.
what their working relationship would look like. Brafman described what happened during this meeting in a video from the 2015 National Conference of Jewish Lawyers.
"People think [Combs] is just a rapper," he said. "He's an industry."
Combs employed 600 people, and he expected them to work for him not just during regular business hours, but also on nights and weekends. He was used to getting what he wanted, and he pushed Brafman to be available during the same hours.
"He says, 'The first thing you gotta do is give me all your numbers. You gotta be available 24/7,'" Brafman said. Brafman replied: "24-6." Combs said: "24-7. Everyone who works for me is available 24/7."
This wasn't going to work for Brafman, an observant Jew who didn't use the phone on Shabbat.
"Listen, I just want to get this out of the way now because I'm the right guy for this case," the attorney told Combs. "You've got to understand something. I observe the Sabbath. And absent a real emergency, I won't answer the phone."
Brafman explained that he had staff members in place who weren't Jews to handle emergencies as they came up. If a real emergency occurred, they could fax a message to Brafman, who would see it and then decide whether or not to take action and pick up the phone on Shabbat.
"Don't call me Friday night," he said to Combs, thinking they had an agreement. But that Friday night, the phone started to ring. And ring. And ring.
"The phone rings a thousand times," Brafman said. "Most people would hang up after 50 times."
The phone call was coming from a blocked number. There was no fax. Obviously, this wasn't an emergency, and Brafman didn't answer the phone.
Then, after Shabbat was over on Saturday night, Brafman called Combs to confirm his suspicions.
combs,
they haD an agreement. but that FriDay night, the phone starteD to ring. anD ring. anD ring.
The year was 1999, and Sean "Puffy" Combs had just been arrested for a weapons charge after gunfire broke out at a nightclub in Manhattan. Combs was one of the biggest stars of the time and had paparazzi following him and his then-girlfriend J.Lo daily.
When it was time for "the trial of the decade," Combs wanted to ensure he had the best representation possible. So, he hired famed attorney Ben Brafman, of Brafman & Associates, P.C., who had represented Michael Jackson, Mafia underboss Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, politician Carl Kruger, and many other high-profile clients. Brafman, the son of Holocaust survivors, had attended Yeshiva High School and had a deep knowledge of Jewish law.
When Combs approached Brafman, they had a chat about
"I said, 'Were you trying to reach me Friday night?'" "Yeah," said Combs.
"Was it an emergency?"
"No."
"I'm sorry I didn't answer the phone."
Combs explained that that was totally fine. "Why?"
"I won ten grand. I bet my homies you wouldn't pick up the phone." Said a thrilled Combs.
Truthfully, Combs won more than money. He witnessed a world where purpose comes before profit, and faith is more important than fame. Shabbat observance itself demonstrates that there is a Creator and G-d does exist. Brafman showed Combs a new elevated way of living simply by honoring his faith and not picking up the phone on Shabbat. He also secured Combs as a client and won the case for him. And whom did Combs thank when that acquittal came through? Sure, he thanked his lawyers and fans, but the biggest thanks went to G-d, who does exist, and Who orchestrated it all.
About : Benjamin "Ben" Brafman is an American criminal defense attorney and the founder of the Manhattan-based firm Brafman & Associates, P.C. He is recognized for his representation of numerous high-profile defendants, including celebrities, accused Mafia members, and political figures. The son of Holocaust survivors, Ben is a Shabbat observant Jew and proud of his faith.
"Don't call me FriDay night," he saiD to
thinking
The Hebrew word teshuvah is typically translated as repentance, suggesting it aims to feel regret, guilt, and shame. In truth, the goal of teshuvah is anything but.
themselves from any sin, if not for the negative inclination that overcomes them."
According to Jewish thought, the journey of teshuvah is not about "turning over a new leaf" or being "born again"; rather, it is simply finding our way back to the land of our soul.
spiritual rehabilitation stems from Judaism's overwhelmingly positive view of the human being, who is, according to the Torah, created in the image of G-d.
Teshuvah means to return. But return where? The Sages have taught that the essence of each person is their soul.
According to Chassidic philosophy, the soul is literally "a part of G-d on high" and, therefore, incorruptible and can never truly be blemished by sin. Therefore, when we sin, we are merely losing our way and forgetting who we are—much like being overtaken by "a temporary state of insanity."
As Maimonides writes, every Jew, at their deepest level, ultimately "wants to fulfill all of G-d's instructions and distance
What is true of the individual is also true of the Jewish people as a collective; we may distance ourselves, but we are never completely divorced from G-d.
Concerning this, R. Abba bar Zavda teaches in the Talmud that: "Even when the Jewish people sin, they are still called 'Israel.'" In G-d's words: "It is impossible to replace them with any other nation."
The covenantal bond between G-d and Israel may be tested and strained, but it can never be broken; they are always inextricably bound at their core.
This redemptive approach to
Every person possesses a core of inherent goodness whose integrity cannot be compromised. While outwardly, one's actions may not always reflect this inner goodness and G-dliness, people always have the ability to shed their superficial facade and do teshuvah—returning to their truest, deepest selves.
Teshuvah is a spiritual repudiation of philosopher Will Durant's statement: "We are what we repeatedly do." Judaism teaches us otherwise. We are not our
teshuvah is the process of regaining our senses, remembering who we are at our root
sins or our mistakes. We are all inherently good, holy, righteous souls that sometimes lose our way but can always make the choice to reconnect to our essence. Teshuvah is this choice.
Teshuvah, thus, effectively recalibrates our selfimage and gives us the strength and confidence to act in alignment with that spiritual essence, which is the cornerstone of our being.
While regret is undoubtedly a necessary component of teshuvah, it is only a detail, not its primary focus or goal.
Rather than putting down the person we think we have become and seeing ourselves as defined by our bad choices, teshuvah is the process of regaining our senses, remembering who we are at our root, and recasting our behavior to reflect that Divine image.
The famed medieval Spanish Kabbalist and Biblical commentator, Nachmanides, had a disciple named Avner. Following a crisis of faith, Avner rejected his Jewish faith, left the community, and became a government official.
One Yom Kippur, Avner sent guards to summon his former teacher to appear before him. Spitefully, he slaughtered, roasted, and ate a pig before Ramban. Ramban asked him, "What brought you to this point? What caused you to reject the holy ways of your ancestors?!" "You did, Rabbi!" Avner retorted venomously. "Your teachings were exaggerated and had no basis in reality. You once taught us that in the brief Torah portion of Haazinu, a mere fifty-two verses, the Torah encodes the entire history of the Jewish people until the coming of Mashiach." "That is just ridiculous!" scoffed Avner. "How could three thousand years of history and millions of names be condensed into just six hundred fourteen words?" "But it's true," replied Ramban, holding his ground. "Then show me my name and fate," Avner incredulously challenged.
Ramban fell into a state of meditation and prayed silently to G-d to reveal this secret. After a few minutes, he said, "Your name, Avner, can be found in the third letter of each word in verse 26: AmaRti (reish) AfEihem (alef) AshBita (bet) Mei'eNosh (nun) ZichRam (reish)." The verse reads: I [G‐d] said in my heart that I would scatter them, causing their memory to cease from mankind, referring to those who had rejected the spiritual and moral way of life.
Avner's face turned pale as heavy tears began to fall. "Is there any hope for me?" he
sobbed. "What can I possibly do to rectify my unthinkable sins?" "The verse itself has provided the rectification," said Ramban.
"It says that G-d will scatter them until their memory is erased. You, too, must scatter those distracting, alien thoughts until they are forgotten, and, in this way, you can return to your essence anew and be remembered for good among your people."
In 1982, the Lubavitcher Rebbe shared that as a child he was taught this story by his teacher. The traditional point stressed by his teacher was the uniqueness of Parshat Haazinu and the infinite nature of the Torah. How, indeed, could the Torah contain such esoteric codes and secrets?
"However," the Rebbe added, "there is another layer of depth to the story that has been overlooked. If you notice, the words quoted by Ramban begin with a reish (AmaRti). The letter reish is often used as a prefix for Reb, an honorific term. Therefore, as quoted in this verse, his name is Reb Avner, revealing how he is seen in G-d's eyes through the lens of the Torah— as a spiritual being deserving of respect and reverence."
This self-revelation, like a lightning flash, instantly brought Reb Avner back into alignment with his higher nature. The moment he was exposed to the error of his ways, a spirit of teshuvah was immediately awakened within him. After having left his faith, even going so far as to mock and taunt its devout leaders on its holiest day, the vision of his soul reflected from within the Torah instantly aroused a yearning to return to his roots.
(Excerpted from People of the Word published by Ezra Press and Chabad.org. Available at www.kehot.com)
Spitefully, he slaughtered, roasted, and ate a pig before Ramban. Ramban asked him, "What brought you to this point?
" "
Modeh is Hebrew for "thanks," and it's the first word we use to begin each day. Starting your day with a specific Hebrew word is not a coincidence. In Hebrew, modeh has the same root as hodayah "acknowledgment," meaning when you verbalize your appreciation, you're also announcing to the world that there is a G-d, and He gave you a Divine soul and task.
Imagine if you stacked all your daily conversations in a pile like a deck of cards, the bottom "card" would be the word Modeh, your gratitude card. In this way, your morning routine of saying the Modeh Ani, "I give thanks," operates as your spiritual foundation and core identity behind everything you do throughout the day.
We all have something to be thankful for, and adopting the habit of saying "Thank you G-d" in response to positive experiences extends the Modeh Ani gratitude and awareness to all aspects of daily life. Additionally, living with a heightened sense of gratefulness ultimately shifts our focus from specific gifts to a deeper appreciation of life, our soul, and our purpose.
Today, more than ever, we all need to hear this simple "Modeh Ani" truth: you have a perfectly pure soul, you're loveable, and you are unstoppable in your mission. So, try incorporating daily gratitude into your life and see how voicing this fundamental truth can change your world.
Now you can start your morning with the Modeh Ani mug. Gratitude you can hold in your hand. Available at iOfferThanks.com
Being the world's first Orthodox female pitmaster, how do you incorporate your religious identity into your culinary endeavors?
Many people find my role as an Orthodox female pitmaster surprising, but I don't focus on labels. Instead, I see myself as part of the BBQ community, sharing my passion for delicious kosher BBQ offerings.
Can you tell us about your journey into becoming a Kosher BBQ pitmaster?
My background is in education, not cooking. I have a Master's in education focused on Jewish studies and spent the past ten years teaching middle and high school students. But I always loved meat, and my culinary curiosity grew, especially after marriage. That's when I began experimenting with different cuts of meat and cooking techniques, leading me to pursue the path of a Kosher BBQ pitmaster.
As someone with a background in education, what motivated you to transition from teaching to BBQ?
I still see myself as an educator. I teach about elevating mundane food into the holy and kosher. I do workshops that help people create excellent kosher meals. I am a kosher food educator or messenger to the BBQ world.
Your BBQ menu showcases flavors from different cultures. What are some of your signature dishes that blend these influences?
Some of my signature dishes include Gochujang glazed Korean lamb riblets, which combine Korea's bold flavors with the lamb's tenderness. Another favorite is my smoked bone broth ramen soup with sliced brisket, which infuses traditional ramen with the rich smokiness of BBQ.
The French Roast is ideal for holiday or Shabbat dinners due to its exquisite marbling and versatility for both medium/well and medium rare cooking. Its varying thickness allows guests to enjoy their preferred doneness.
The Pitmasters Rule:
One of my most important rules about cooking meat is to go by temperature, not time. I highly recommend buying an electric meat thermometer. But, if you don't have one, I recommend 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes per pound for medium rare.
Step 1) Pre-heat your oven to:
Rare: 125-130 F
Medium Rare: 130-135 F
Medium: 140-145 F
(Every oven is different, so this is just a guide.)
Step 2) Sprinkle kosher salt and pepper (or your favorite rub) liberally onto your French Roast.
Step 3) Place your roast on a rack using a cookie sheet. You could use a dish, but the rack allows for better airflow to create a dryer exterior.
Step 4) When done, take out the roast and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Step 5) Meanwhile, get a pan scalding hot and add a high temp oil, like canola or avocado oil. Sear meat on each side for 45-60 seconds.
Dani's Chimichurri Recipe:
2 bunches of cilantro, finely chopped
1 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
1 shallot, finely diced
1-2 jalapenos, diced with seeds removed, or use pickled jalapeno for a fun twist
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp oregano
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix with an immersion blender, serve it with the French Roast, and enjoy!
