Page 27 - HaMizrachi02-04( #12)2019RoshHaShanaYomKippurUSA

Rabbi Yitzchak Blau Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka

The Right Place

The Right Time

s confident as we may be months before Rosh Hashanah the way we judge others will impact
throughout the year, the as parshiot discuss the approach how we will be judged. But the
Aperiod leading up to Rosh that Bnei Yisrael took to taking ultimate judgment we seek is one
Hashanah is always a sobering possession of the Land that G-d was of such complete forgiveness, such
series of wake-up calls that intensify giving us. This gift did not come genuine teshuva, that we will merit
as the Day of Judgment nears. without struggle as we physically redemption – not just for ourselves,
We become more conscious of acquired the Land. but for the entire nation.
the solemnity and magnitude of
the hour, and particularly of the Soldiers who have been through The Baal HaTanya noted that every
opportunity and obligation to the stress of battle will relate that matter in Torah exists on a level of
repair anything in need of spiritual such mutual experiences deepen the Olam, in a place in the world, and
mending. Simultaneously, we pray bonds between comrades in arms; Shana, at a time of the year. Just
and take action toward a renewed that individuals preparing for and as there was a covenant prior to
year that will hold only revealed engaging in battle become a band entering Eretz Yisrael, so is there
good – not only for ourselves, but of brothers, literally related through a covenant embraced before Rosh
for our nation and the entire world. the shared force of physical warfare. Hashanah. Parshat Ki Tavo is read
How much greater must the bond before Rosh Hashanah, as the words
It is no coincidence that on Rosh be between those who share the ki hayom hazeh (for this day) also
Hashanah, and throughout the experience of spiritual battle: the refer to the holiday. Every year, the
Yamim Noraim, our prayers are war to subdue the yetzer hara and Jewish people require a renewed
filled with references to Eretz the cold war, so to speak, necessary pact over the acceptance of the
Yisrael, the Holy Land. The Jewish to set Klal Yisrael apart from other Torah, as on Rosh Hashanah we
people have a special relationship nations so it can shed light unto all. are newly commanded to fulfill the
with the two key dimensions of mitzvot. On Rosh Hashanah, we
Olam haZeh (this world), time This spiritual battle culminates on make requests for everyone. Within
and space, and an intrinsic power Rosh Hashanah as we coronate G-d those prayers, we reveal the special
to add kedusha to both of these as King and completely subject our relationship we have with the Land
dimensions by sanctifying them will to His. itself and all of the blessings that are
with our actions. We see this not One of the factors that made Bnei only to be found there.
only in our obligation to “observe Yisrael successful in the physical
the Sabbath and keep it holy” but conquest of Eretz Yisrael was the Every Jew in the world understands
also in our ability to establish Rosh unity they experienced as a nation that no matter what happens,
Chodesh and thus the Yamim in accepting and receiving the regardless of any political upheavals,
Tovim. In terms of space, while we Torah together. We experience the one place where Jews can go and
do not necessarily have the power this unity again on Rosh Hashanah be received with open arms and a
to be m’kadesh (to sanctify), we add when we come together to pray. We warm embrace is the Land of Israel.
a permanent kedusha to a physical ask to see our behavior modified May it be the will of the Almighty,
article by connecting its purpose to and improved and to have our as we begin our relationships with
holiness (e.g., by dedicating objects intentions accepted as sincere. We Him anew, that we merit a year
to the Beit HaMikdash). While of progress, achievement, success
everything in the physical world make this first step of behavioral and peace for all of us, and for all
is bound by time and space, it is modification by seeing our fellow mankind.
integral to our faith that the essence Jews through different eyes; judging
of Divinity is also infused in both. everyone on the side of merit, as we
ourselves wish to be judged. This Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka is Executive Vice
Thoughts of the Land of Israel is not entirely altruistic – nor does President of Touro College and University
actually begin intensifying several it need to be. We understand that System

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