Confused? Scared? Don't know what to do first at the last minute? Here are three simple yet vital ways to guarantee a favorable judgment on Rosh Hashanah. Enjoy, and may the Almighty inscribe you in the Book of a long and happy life for a wonderful New Year 5781:
Throughout Tanach, "Hashem's vineyard" (see Isaiah 5:7, for example) is a metaphor for the Land of Israel and the vines symbolize the Jewish People. On the Sabbath, we sing the ancient "Dror Yikra" sonnet that was composed over a thousand years ago by Donash ben Labert from Spain, where he alludes to a prophecy in Jeremiah 2:21 when Hashem promises that He will replant the "cuttings" - those who have been cut off from their ancient homeland - in His vineyard. As such, the flourishing vineyards in the Land of Israel are a clear sign of the imminent redemption and ingathering of the exiles, as is we see today with our own eyes.
Jeremiah the Prophet says that right before Moshiach comes, vineyards will be planted in the Land of Israel. Throughout the Tanach, vines are a parable for the Jewish People. Both the sons and the vines grow best on their native soil.
Our sages all through the Gemara juxtapose Jerusalem and Rome – when one succeeds, the other fails; when one rises, the other falls. This is the same battle between faith and fate, and it's the secret of Rosh Hashanah, when the outcome of our entire coming year is determined, as we see in the current events that manifest themselves, such as Coronavirus. This is an eyeopener, and a vital tool to prepare for Rosh Hashanah:
Here is a dream deal for you, underwritten by the Baal Haturim, the Chid'a, the Chofetz Chaim and all the sages of the Gemara. I challenge anyone to try and beat this deal, that guarantees the best blessings at a tremendously discounted price. This is no gimmick, but the "real deal."
"If we knew that a rare gift was concealed within our difficulties, we could laugh; but with emuna, we start laughing even before we discover the gift."
Shavua Tov! An old parable about a donkey in trouble gives us a different perspective on life's difficulties. Here's two-and-a-half minutes of encouragement:
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Maybe you think that something is impossible - teshuva and emuna say that it is not. Maybe you think that you can't pick up a large-sized rock, but teshuva and emuna say that you can move mountains. People procrastinate and delay their Elul-obligation to prepare for Rosh Hashanah -that's regrettable, because it's really so simple and so very rewarding.
Sometimes, a body suffers but doesn't know why. Is it a virus, a bacteria, some other destructive organism? In similar manner, the soul suffers too and also doesn't know why, but the person is inexplicably down or depressed for no apparent reason. More times than not, the culprit is jealousy, when a person sees him/herself as less successful than someone else. Jealousy is a lot more rampant than Coronavirus; what's worse, social distancing, masks and washing your hands can't prevent it. But, today's podcast can - hear this and with Hashem's help, you'll feel much better.
Shavua Tov! The more world events become apocalyptic, the more people talk about Moshiach. From time to time, we hear voices that claim to know when Moshiach is coming. Is it possible to really know when Moshiach will arrive? Let's get some answers.
Who doesn't want more love in their lives? Now is the time to get it. Enjoy this 3-minute video message and have a wonderful Shabbat Ki Tetze!