Tragic events unfold as Heaven prescribes notwithstanding faulty FBI/CIA communications. Does our fate rest with the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission? Hardly. The savages who seek to turn the world on its head to wreak devastation upon us will only meet with success as G-d allows them to. The outcome of the enemy’s evil plotting is in large part contingent upon the guidance of our leaders both in Eretz Yisrael and in the Land of the Brave and the Free.
Presidents mayors governors ministers and the like who are permissive of public displays of immorality and licentiousness who advocate deviancy and a perverse style of living forfeit the key to peace and survival on our planet as well as strip the brave and the free of the freedom of choice – the choice to reside and raise our children in a wholesome and virtuous environment as befits humanity in accordance with G-d’s instructions.
…All of man’s thoughts and deeds and hopes are before You… How fortunate is the one who forgets You not the believer for he who seeks You shall not fall nor falter nor be shamed… concludes this profound theme in the machzor. In other words we the people must choose to let our conscience and G-d’s laws guide us while our leaders would be wise to show reverence for our Creator rather than the media for there really is only One endorsement worth hankering for.
Relief … Renewal … Resilience…
On Sukkos beginning the 15th of the month we reconnect anew with our Maker and happily demonstrate our faith trust and belief in the One Who protected us in the wilderness with infinite kindness. We joyously observe the mitzvah of eating in a sukkah – a lovingly constructed and decorated temporary dwelling under the open skies exposed to the elements and devoid of modern luxury – in a modest show of not taking our existence for granted and acknowledging our transitory status here on earth.
We perform the mitzvah of lulav: May it be Your will … that in the merit of holding the eitz pri hadar (the handsome fruit of the tree) the esrog which is likened to the human heart … that You forgive the sins of my heart …
…in the merit of the bound lulav … may You remember unto me the merit of our patriarch Isaac who was bound on the altar…
…in the merit of the hadas (myrtle) likened to the human eye … may the offense of my eyes be forgiven …
…in the merit of the aravah (willow) whose leaves are shaped like the human mouth … may You pardon the transgressions of my mouth…
…in the merit of the mitzvah of the four species … may You safeguard us on all four sides…
… and in the merit of the restraint we employ in denying ourselves personal benefit and enjoyment of the fragrant esrog for the duration of Yom Tov…may You expunge the sin of indulgence of Adam and Chava which brought upon mankind the curse of death … inscribe us o’ G-d to a long and good life … and hasten the redemption…
The holiday of Sukkos peaks on Simchas Torah when we unite in love with our Creator. How appropriate that the planet of Venus – the heavenly body famed for arousing love and passion – rules Tishrei.
Dream or Reality?
The pattern of repetition is among a handful of criteria that validate the veracity of a dream. One such dream that has frequented my sleep has induced me to reflect upon the message within. In my recurring dream it is Friday and Shabbos is quickly approaching. Apprehension sets in; I am not ready. I rush feverishly to and fro to set things in order. The pressure of the moving hands of time affects the very fiber of my being. I awaken in a state of anguish at my lack of preparedness and am assuaged at the realization that it is after all only a dream.
