11:30 am Kiddush has been sponsored by Marghzar family in celebration of Keahn's bar mitzvah parasha. Mazal Tov! And co-sponsored by Golcheh family Leilouy Nishmat Avraham ben Asher (Mrs. Golche's father).
5:30 pm Pre-Mincha Shiur
6:05 pm Mincha at Westwood Kehilla
6:45 pm Seudah Shlishit
7:05 pm Arvit
7:22 pm Shabbat Ends
PARASHA
It's about time we stop making excuses and take responsibility for who and what we are. It's long overdue. Here we are at the threshold of a new-year and it's all about being honest with ourselves. The degree of our commitment to Torah and Mitzvot will be in direct proportion to how many excuses we make for ourselves in avoiding commitment. The more the excuses, the less the commitment. As Moshe continued his final discourse, he confronted the primary excuses we all use in avoiding commitment and responsibility.
1st & 2nd Aliyot: Moshe presented the entire nation with the basis for our covenant with G-d. Starting with the promise to the forefathers and stretching across 500 years of history, our relationship with G-d had been substantiated through miracle after miracle. Yet, future generations might deny their personal obligation to continue the relationship and its attendant responsibilities. Therefore; Moshe made it absolutely clear that each generation is obligated to educate their children and train them to accept the covenant with G-d. Subsequent generation should not be able to excuse their responsibilities for Torah and Mitzvot due to ignorance.
3rd Aliya: The next excuse Moshe confronted was the modernization of Torah. In every generation there are those who see Torah as archaic and outdated. "Only by grafting new ideas and practices to the stale practices of Torah will Judaism continue to exist and flourish." This excuse for changing Torah's eternal truths will result in the compromise of Torah observance, our land, and our people.
4th & 5th Aliyot: As history will tragically prove, Moshe's warnings would be ignored. Subsequent generations would wonder about the destruction and desolation and, in their search for answers, return to the uncompromised truths and practices of their forefathers.
6th Aliya: As a generation of Baalei Teshuva find their way back, many will be overwhelmed by the seemingly inaccessibility of Torah knowledge. Moshe reassures us that Torah is accessible to all those who truly desire it. Ignorance and a lack of opportunity for learning should never be an excuse.
7th Aliya: Finally, Moshe presented the bottom line. Endowed with free will we must choose properly. In the end, we are responsible for what happens.
HAFTARAH
The 7th and final Haftarah of Consolation is from Yishaya 61:10 – 63:9. Coming before Rosh Hashana, this selection perfectly focuses us on the intended purpose of the High Holy Days.
We are dependent upon Hashem. He is the source of our protection, well being, and purpose. His constant love and attention is evident in the miracle of our survival and the strength of our limited numbers. As the Navi prepared the hope which allows us to place tragedy in perspective, we prepare ourselves to acknowledge Hashem's providence through Tefilah and justice. There will soon come a time when we, as the Chosen People, will embrace the gift of G-d's special attention. At that time the "…nations will see your righteousness and all the kings your glory…"
Glory and honor are the byproducts of devotion and commitment. Our responsibility in the coming days is to "…recount G-d's mercies and praises…" Our goal is to acknowledge G-d and for G-d to proclaim "…Surely they are my people… (63:8)
Sunday October 2, 2016
5:45 am Selichot
6:30 am Shaharit & Hatrat Nedarim
Erev Rosh Hashana
6:00 pm Mincha followed by Drasha & Arvit
6:17 pm Candle Lightning
First Day of Rosh Hashana
Monday October 3, 2016
8:30 am Baruch Sheamar
9:09 am (9:45 am GRA) Latest time for shema
10:30 am Kiddush sponsorship is available.
10:45 am Drasha by Rabbi Shlomo Yisraeli
11:00 am Shofar and Musaf
7:19 pm Preparation for 2nd day Yom Tov & Candle Lightning from
pre-existing flame
5:40 pm Tashlich
6:00 pm Mincha
7:00 pm Arvit
Second Day of Rosh Hashana
Tuesday October 4, 2016
8:30 am Baruch Sheamar
9:09 am (9:46 am GRA) Latest time for shema
10:30 am Kiddush sponsorship is available
10:45 am Drasha by Rabbi Shlomo Yisraeli
11:00 am Shofar and Musaf
6:00 pm Mincha
6:35 pm Shiur
7:00 pm Arvit
7:18 pm Yom Tov ends
Wednesday Fast of Geidaliah begins at 5:11 am and ends at 7:11pm
6:00 am Selichot
6:45 am Shaharit
ROSH HASHANA
1. There are two beginnings to the Jewish calendar year, Nissan and Tishrei – reflecting the dual nature of Jewish calendar – lunar and solar, respectively. Nissan is the month of the Exodus from Egypt and Tishrei is the month of the Creation.
2. All the months follow the phases of the moon, and the years are adjusted so that the festivals stay in their appropriate seasons.
3. There is a specific harmony and rhythm to the Festivals, which serve to blend the physical and spiritual worlds, and to join nature with the human life-cycle.
4. The festival of Rosh Hashanah lasts for two days, even in Israel where all other festivals are only one day.
5. Prohibition of Melacha (certain types of work). Exceptions – food preparation, carrying, transferring or increasing fire.
6. The obligations to honor and enjoy the Festival are fulfilled by preparations like bathing, haircuts, special (new) clothing and cleaning the house. It is customary for the husband to buy new clothing or jewelry for his wife. Treats are given to the children.
7. The woman of the household lights candles before sunset of the first night and a half hour after sunset on the second night of Rosh Hashanah and recites blessings over the candles( before the lighting).
8. The festival is sanctified in words (Kiddush) over wine at the night and also during the day, before the meals.
1. Foods representing joy and blessing are eaten at the night meals, and prayers are recited for a good year using puns based on the names and nature of the foods (simanim)
Two festive meals each day.
Guests! Maimonides – "One who celebrates but closes his door to the less fortunate is engaged in joy of the stomach and not joy of a mitzvah."
Special Greeting for the first night of Rosh Hashanah:
0. "Be inscribed and sealed for a good year!"
"Ketiva V'chatima Tova"
The Silent Prayer (Amidah) of Rosh Hashanah has three essential components:
0. Kingship (Majesty)
1. Memories (Judgment)
2. Shofar (Torah / Sinai)
There are ten verses for each component – three each from Torah, Prophets and Writings, plus one additional verse from the Torah.
Laws of Shofar Blowing
0. The commandment to hear the shofar blowing requires conscious intent to fulfill the mitzvah.
1. The shofar blower recites two blessings; the community must listen to the blessings and respond "Amen" to each one. (One should not say "Baruch hu uvaruch sh'mo" to these blessings.)
2. One should stand during the recitation of the blessings .
3. It is forbidden to speak from the beginning of the first blessing until after
the final shofar blast (at the end of Mussaf).
Havdalah – concluding blessing over wine.
