Dvar Torah for Rosh Hashanah

First off, on behalf of my wife, myself and various friends who are ex-New Yorkers, I want to thank God for protecting our family and friends from yesterday's tragedy. We thank Him that it wasn't worse and beg Him to protect Jewish people everywhere from any and every sort of anti-Semitic backlash, as well as any sort of harm. May those who need comforting be comforted. May those involved in kindness appropriately rewarded. May all mankind very soon recognize and praise Him.

Almost anything said about yesterday's horrific events is an understatement. What happened is a tremendous amount to digest. So much runs through the mind and heart I wonder if I can be coherent. The following story comes to mind: Students of the Chofetz Chaim asked him the meaning of an extraordinarily large earthquake that had taken place in Asia. He replied, "I don't know for sure. One thing God is certainly telling us is, 'My children, repent.'"

In Lesson #1 Rebbe Nachman teaches that a Jew is responsible to consider the Divine wisdom contained in all things and in every facet of life. Once he has discovered the Divine wisdom contained therein, he has to use that thing (tangible or intangible) to draw closer to Hashem (God).

The goal and the raison d'etre of mankind is to recognize Hashem and acknowledge His Kingship, to live in this world as His loyal subjects. For that we need the Divine wisdom. Yet, Divine wisdom is so vast and so deep. The mechanical wonders of biology and botany; the intricacies of the holy Torah; why human beings think and act the way they do. "Deep and deeper still; who can fathom it" (Ecclesiastes 7:24)?

The only possible way to receive and hold onto Divine wisdom, says the Rebbe, is to submit to Hashem. The more one acknowledges Hashem's Kingship–in all areas of life and to the greatest detail–the more one is able to understand, digest, Divine wisdom and live by it. On the other hand, one who refuses to submit can never understand the Divine wisdom. He will try to force his human kingship on others, no matter what harm he inflicts (see Likutey Halakhot, Pikadon 4:13).

A new year is starting. Some more of the time allotted to us is being measured off and counted down. Each day, the holy Zohar says, contains good; but also has barriers that have to be breached in order to access that good. One day may call for a lot of Torah study and a little bit of prayer. Another day may call for lots of prayer and a bit of Torah. Somedays may call for a minimum of both, with the emphasis on saving lives and comforting the mourning. Nonetheless, there is always some way and some opportunity for building God's kingdom.

In Lesson #2 Rebbe Nachman teaches that the main "weapon" of Mashiach–and of every Jew - is prayer. Every tefilah (prayer), every berakhah (blessing), every whispered thanks, every Psalm and every hitbodedut (private, secluded prayer in one's own words) brings the geulah (Redemption) that much nearer.

We don't see it, writes Rebbe Nachman. Many of our people think that the tefilot have disappeared into some sort of void, lost, meaningless words. Not true. God has, as it were, turned His back on us. He is acting towards the world with din (judgement). Nonetheless, every prayer bears fruit. Little by little the tzaddikim use every prayer to create a dwelling for Hashem. When everything is in place Mashiach will come to finish the job.

Then, as suddenly as planes can crash into towering buildings, God will "turn around" and "face us," act towards us with rachamim (compassion). We must pray and pray and pray. We must believe that our prayers bear fruit–the fruit of daat (knowledge, awareness), redemption, health, livelihood, peace*–so that we continue to pray, despite the pain and ugliness that confronts. Then Hashem, in His kindness, will redeem us. Soon, in our lifetime. Amen.

*These samples of how we can benefit mankind through our tefilot are drawn from the weekday Amidah prayer.

kesivah v'chasimah tovah l'alter, l'chaim tovim u'l'shalom.
ketivah v'chatimah tovah l'alter, l'chaim tovim u'l'shalom.
May you and yours be immediately inscribed for a good life and peace.