High-Rise!
Let’s face it, the thought of Yom Kippur gives us a certain pit in our stomach. It’s not only the prospect of the hungry feeling that we’ll experience during the course of the day, it actually comes from our built in spiritual DNA that intuitively knows that Yom Kippur is a sacred day. Recently, in …
Kol Nidrei!
The onset of Yom Kippur night is often referred to as Kol Nidrei night. Why was Kol Nidrei specifically chosen to herald in Yom Kippur? A review of what is stated in Kol Nidrei reveals that it is an official nullification of all types of vows and oaths that one may have declared during the …
From the Heart!
During the year that I studied in Israel, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the great and holy sage Rabbi Yaacov Yisroel Kanievski o.b.m. When I walked into his room in his humble apartment in Bnei Brak, I was overcome with trepidation at the sight of this holy man. The rabbi was a …
We Got It!
The Medrash relates the following tale. A man was taking a stroll in a beautiful meadow and noticed two birds fighting. The larger bird got enraged and struck and killed the other bird. Seeing the bird not moving and in a lifeless state, the large bird flew a short distance and plucked a blade of …
Please Leave!
Reciting Yizkor on Yom Kippur is one of the universal and hallowed traditions of the day. After we read from the Torah, before the Mussaf service begins, we place the two Torah scroll that we read from side by side on the Bimah and a Talis is draped over them. There is an announcement – …
Keep Focused!
Jonathan Rosenbloom brought out the following point in an article he wrote in the wake of the September 11th attacks: The coming of Moshiach is a fundamental belief of Judaism. But even one whose belief is firm might find it difficult to imagine how his coming will unfold, and how all people and nations will …
Yom Kippur 5771
Holy Day! Yom Kippur 5771 I recall that during the year I studied in Israel, I walked past a school yard during their recess and overheard one child yelling at another in Hebrew, “Ani Horeg Otcha – I’m going to kill you.” I was initially jolted by this statement for I thought he meant it …
Yom Kippur 5772
Yom Kippur 5772 A few days ago Amanda Knox stood before an Italian court and passionately claimed innocence of any involvement in the murder of her roommate. Although she was acquitted of the charges and she is now free, the ultimate truth of the matter is known only in her heart. There are four basic …
Yom Kippur 5773
Yom Kippur 5773 I don’t know about you, but I must admit that just about the time the afternoon Mincha service comes around on Yom Kippur, I am overcome by fatigue. I usually begin nodding off when the soft melody of the Haftorah – the Book of Yonah is chanted. CONNECTION After reviewing the story …
Yom Kippur 5774
Yom Kippur 5774 A few days before Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Avrohom Kamenetzky, the father of a friend of mine, passed away. Reb Avraham personified friendliness and warmth, and he knew how to use his beautiful smile. He had a knack for knowing what to say to build one’s esteem and to brighten their day. CONNECTION …
Yom Kippur 5775
Yom Kippur 5775 The days from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur are called the Ten Days of Repentance. The basic idea of repentance is to effect positive change in our lives. It is interesting that the word ‘change’ is a homograph. Change can refer to the change in one’s pocket, and change can refer to …
Yom Kippur 5776 Liberated!
Yom Kippur 5776 Liberated! Who is not stirred and moved by the hallowed tune of Kol Nidrei as the Chazan ushers in the holy day of Yom Kippur flanked by two Torah scrolls held by respected leaders of the congregation. CONNECTION Yet, when examining the words and basic gist of the declaration of Kol Nidrei, …
