Good Shabbos.   This past Tuesday, Goldie’s nephew got married in Montreal Canada.  I attended high school in the Yeshiva in Montreal and had not been back in over 30 years.  So it was with a great sense of enthusiasm that I accompanied Goldie there to see the city and attend the wedding. 

Montreal has evolved into a beautiful modern city and the Jewish community has grown manifold. The wedding was beautiful but what impressed me most was the vibrancy of the Jewish community.  I saw hundreds upon hundreds of boys and girls studying in the yeshivos and Jewish Dayschools. At the minyon which I attended on a regular Wednesday morning, there were about 60 people at my minyon.  But there were also about 50 at the minyan that finished moments before we started, and about another 50 ready to daven in the next minyon as we were finishing up.  In the Yeshiva building where I was davening, there are minyons every 45 minutes from 6:30 to 10am and that is just one shul.  There had to be at least 10 orthodox shuls with minyons throughout the community. 

There were at about a dozen different bakeries and restaurants and places to eat that were strictly kosher.  I was there for less than 48 hours, but in that time I had kosher Chinese, kosher pizza, great kosher donuts and a spicy kosher sandwich in the lobby Montreal Holocaust Museum.  

Montreal is home to the third largest Holocaust Survivor Community in the world.  By 1980 there were over 30,000 Holocaust Survivors living there.  All of the stories and testimonies depicted in the films in their Holocaust Museum were gathered from survivors living in Montreal. 

There are three sections of the museum. The first deals with pre war Europe from the end of the First World War to the beginning of World War II.  It shows the variance of Jewish life in Europe during that time and deals with the rise of Socialism, Nazism, and Anti Semitism.  The next section deals with Europe during the War from 1939 to 1945.  The third section is a Memorial Room with 6 candles lit for the 6 million Jews who were murdered, an urn of ashes from the Auschwitz death camp, and an eternal flame symbolizing the continuity of Judaism.   

The Museum highlighted the fact that during the worst of times, our people always maintained faith and hope.  Even in the ghettos - there were marriages, births, and holiday observances.  Among the articles on display, is a booklet in the shape of a heart, made by a group of Jewish women for another woman on her birthday with messages of goodwill and hope. 

There are no words evil enough to depict what our people endured at the hands of the Nazis. Six million Jews, 2/3 of all the Jews of Europe, 1/3 of all Jews worldwide - murdered - for one reason and one reason only. Because they were Jews. To our enemies, it didn’t matter if the Jew was the most assimilated or the most religious. A Jew was a Jew and deserved to be killed.

Our enemies were able to rip off beards, torch skin, brand arms, pull teeth, and gas bodies. But they were not able to penetrate minds, hearts and souls.  The Nazis were highly successful in killing Jews, but were dismal failures at quenching the Jewish spirit.  

It is remarkable that Jews clung to Torah even in those darkest of days.  In the ghettos, in the concentration camps, in the midst of all of the death and persecution, they continued to pose questions to their Rabbis and teachers. 

• A woman in the ghetto who had just given birth wanted to know if she could circumcise her newborn baby boy before the eighth day, since she feared he would not live even a week. This loving mother wanted to ensure that at least he die a circumcised Jew.
• A very sick man who was told that he was too weak to fast Yom Kippur and thus forbidden to do so according to Torah law, begged to know if he could still refrain from eating. Though he had been completely non-observant his entire life, he wanted to die knowing he had fasted on his final Yom Kippur.
• A father needed to know if he was permitted to save his only son, slated for certain death, through bribery, when he knew that if his child was saved, another innocent child would be taken in his place.
• A mother asked if she could painlessly kill her own baby, since the next day they were coming to take all the children, and would either throw her three-month-old daughter off a rooftop or directly into the fire.

Our enemies tried to make us untermenschen–sub-humans. They tried to annihilate us, to rid the world forever of the Jews. But they did not know who they were dealing with. They did not know what it means to be a Jew.  For the Jew is not one who merely strives to be human. The Jew is one who strives to be G-dly. And that can never, ever, be destroyed.

In this week’s portion, Abraham asks: “Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?” (Genesis 18:25)  Even Moshe questioned G-d and asked: “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?”

Indeed, they asked these questions but equally important is the fact, that while asking, they never lost faith.  For the question itself is based on a belief in G-d performing justice.  We may not understand why G-d allows the world to function in the way He does, but we still maintain our faith that it is so. 

To those who argued that the Holocaust disproves the existence of G-d, I think the opposite lesson is more reasonable.  The holocaust teaches that society cannot be based on human based morality.  In pre-war Europe, it was the German people who epitomized culture, scientific advance and philosophic morality. Yet these were the very people who perpetrated the most vile atrocities known to human history!

If nothing else, the Holocaust has taught us that a moral and civilized existence is possible only through the belief in and the acceptance of the ultimate Divine authority. The command, “Thou shalt not kill”, must be premised on “I am the L-rd your G-d.”

In my mind, I juxtaposed the atrocities which the Montreal Museum depicted as the Nazis sought to destroy all vestiges of Judaism to the minyons and the kosher restaurants and the thousands of beautiful Yiddishe kinderlach studying Torah in the Montreal Yeshivos. More than anything else, it is these children that testify to our triumph over our enemies. 

We should memorialize the lives of those who were killed in the Holocaust as they do in Montreal - by living a more committed and Jewish live.  May G-d soon send the Moshiach and usher in the era of peace and brotherhood among all the nations of the world, and the time when the knowledge of G-d will cover the world like water covers the ocean’s bed, and let us say, Amain. 

 Good Shabbos! Instead of sharing a sermon today I would like to share with you a letter I wrote yesterday based on the Torah portion of this week. 

 Dear President-Elect Barack Obama,

Congratulations on becoming the first African-American President of the United States of America.  You were exactly right in your acceptance speech when you said, “If there is any one out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, tonight is your answer.” 

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called it an extraordinary step forward for the nation, which “has been through a long journey in making race less of a factor”.

As an orthodox Jew, one of the millions of Americans who are a minority in this country, I too am especially proud of your appointment as President-Elect of this great country.   I wish you much success in your term in office. 

We Jews received the Torah, which is the Divine and timeless word of G-d, on behalf of all mankind.   Each week we read one portion and our Sages tell us that within that portion is insight and guidance for all of the issues that transpire during that week.  I looked into the Torah to this week’s portion of Lech Lecho (Genesis Chapter 12- 17) and the correlations to your Presidency were astounding. 

The portion begins with a Divine call to Abraham.  “Go out from your land, from your birth place and from your ancestral home to the place that I will show you.”  (Israel).  The first question would be: If Abraham had excelled in his personal life to the point that G-d had chosen him to be the first leader and Patriarch of the people of Israel, then why should he leave all that he knew?  G-d explained it in the second verse.  “There I will make you into a great nation - I will bless you and make your name renowned.”   Only when you leave your personal issues behind and begin to think on a wider scale - can you become a worthy leader of a nation. 

There is no doubt Mr. Obama that you are articulate and highly intelligent.  Your life has been full of personal achievement and growth as an individual and a public figure.  But now, as G-d taught Abraham in this week’s portion, you need to go out of your personal comfort zone and do what is best for the entire nation, not just your personal constituency.  

When the Divine call came to Abraham he could have just sat back and taken pride in a life of unprecedented personal achievement.  But, instead, Abraham hearkened to the voice of his destiny.  “Lech Lecho” which literally means “Go To Yourself”.  G-d was telling Abraham that this was the time for him to turn inward and embark on a journey to discover the greatest potential and power contained within himself.  That is what G-d is now asking of you, Mr. Obama.  The privilege which you have been given bears great responsibility and effort.  ”Lech Lecho” - Search within yourself to find the strength and wisdom to address the choices that G-d will place before you in the very best way that you are able. 

There is an old Jewish folk story of a matchmaker who suggested a young lady to a man she knew and described her with numerous qualities and great beauty.  After their first date the man called the matchmaker and chastised him.   “How could you introduce me to such a girl?  She has a terrible limp”.  The matchmaker replied, “Not to worry, she only limps when she walks, so its OK.” 

In the next few weeks and months you will be transposed from the comforts of your home base in Illinois to the forefront of the world.  You will be on the move and it will take great faith in G-d to ensure you do not limp or drag your feet where action and strength is necessary.  I pray to G-d that He bless you with the insight and wisdom to guide this great nation during the challenging times that are now facing us. 

This portion that I have referred to speaks of Abraham fighting for those less fortunate than he.  It talks of a treaty he made with G-d, knowing that without G-d he was less than whole.  The portion also elaborates on the great faith of Abraham as he circumcised himself and his son Ishmael as an expression of that faith. 

I would like to also share with you that there was one place that it seems that Abraham lacked faith in G-d.  Allow me to explain. 

As soon as Abraham journeyed, by the Divine call of G-d, to the land of Israel, the land was beset with famine.  There was no food for Abraham or those traveling with him.  So Abraham journeyed on to Egypt in order to purchase food and provisions.  The question may be asked:  “If Abraham had such great faith in G-d, why did he change his plans.  Did he not believe that G-d could provide food even during the famine?” 

The answer is that Abraham understood that when it came to his personal relationship to G-d, he could be the greatest believer with full trust in the power of the Almighty. But, when the people around him were hungry it was no time to tell them to pray.  It was time for the leader to act and ensure that his people would have all of the things they needed even if it meant going against his personal views in some regards. 

As we struggle through the economic difficulties in the upcoming months it will be your task to find the way to provide for all of the citizens of this country, even if it may not have been exactly your own personal first choice or desire.  Al-mighty G-d and the citizens of this country have put great faith in you.  Our greatest days can still be ahead of us.  “Lech Lecho” - It is now time for you to rise to greater heights than you could have imagined possible and succeed as a leader among leaders. 

 May G-d bless you and may He bless the United States of America. 

 Sincerely,

Rabbi Avrohom Litvin

Good Shabbos.  Yesterday someone asked me if I was scared to be living at a time when the entire world was on the edge of crisis.  I admitted that I was concerned - but not fearful. 

Yes it is true, that the waters are crashing down across the entire world.  Yes it is true, that there is hardly a place which remains safe from the violent economic tsunami which now faces mankind.  There is upheaval. There is fear.  There is turmoil. 

However, there is also a precedent which we can learn from.  It happened before - a world drowning in violence and corruption. It is recounted in this week’s portion, (chapters 6-8), where we read of the great flood which covered the earth and brought destruction and devastation in its wake. 

Outside the ark, the flood raged.  Inside the ark, there was Noah and his family and two of each kind of animal and seeds of every type of food - representing all of humanity. For forty days and nights the rains fell, followed by five months in which the waters swelled and churned, cleansing the earth for a new beginning.  Finally, the waters calmed and began to recede.

Noah then opened the window of the ark and sent out a raven “to see if the waters had subsided from the surface of the earth.” The raven, which refused the mission, was followed by three doves: the first returned immediately, indicating that the flood’s waters still engulfed the earth; the second came back in the evening, clutching “a plucked olive leaf” and the promise of a new life for earth. The third did not return at all, informing the ark’s inhabitants that the earth was ready for habitation.

My question is: Why did Noah send out those birds?  Obviously, he was eager to rebuild and replace the mayhem of the flood with a new, harmonious world. However, even after Noah was convinced that the flood was over, he could not yet leave the ark. Noah had entered the ark by the explicit command of G-d, and as long as he did not receive further instructions to the contrary, the Divine injunction “Come into the ark” remained in force. Only upon being commanded to “Go out from the ark” which came several weeks after the third dove’s mission, only then could he begin settling and developing the world outside the ark.

Q.  So why did Noah dispatch the raven and the doves?

A.  Because we cant sit idly by and just wait for G-d.  We must do all we can! And when G-d sees us trying, that is when He will provide us with the redemption. 

The Baal Shem Tov explains that each of us are called by G-d with the same Divine Instruction as commanded to Noach - Bo El Hataiva  - “Come into the ark” .  However the word “Taiva”, besides meaning ark, can also mean “word”.  “Come into the word”, says the Almighty to each and every one of us; “Enter within the words of prayer and Torah study where you will find a haven of peace and sanctity amid the raging waters of life”.

The word that the Torah uses for the flood is mabul, which means disorder and confusion. Our world is a mabul of moral disarray and distorted priorities. But even as the chaos of a yet unperfected world churns about us, we have the ability to create, as did Noah, an island of tranquility and perfection, sheltered by the protective words of Torah and prayer.

Furthermore, the personal havens we create are not ends in themselves.  We must open the window and aim to affect what is outside.  We must do all we can to elevate the world around us.  We must be an example of one who is living a G-dly life.  Our “arks” must also serve as the seeds from which a new and better world  will grow.

We each must understand that we are entrusted with a Divine Mission:

• Our mission in life is to create a world free of greed, jealousy and hatred.
• Our mission in life is to create a world filled with the wisdom and goodness of its Creator.
• Our mission in life is to translate the G-dly perfection of our personal holiness into the Divinely perfect world of Moshiach.

As with Noah, we must await G-d’s word. Yet this does not mean we should sit idly by and just wait for the redemption. Well before Noach was commanded to “Go out from the ark,” he opened a window to the outside world. Noah was not satisfied with just thinking about himself, Noach opened the window and looked for ways to be a positive impact on the world around him

41 centuries later, we are faced with a somewhat similar situation.  On one hand we see the world is engulfed in turmoil, yet on the other hand we see signs of nations helping one another and people going to great lengths to assist one another. 

Moshiach is coming.  G-d is in control.  We need to just open the window and remain a positive influence on the world around us.  We need to care about our neighbor and care about those in need. We need to lookout for others even when we are secure in our own havens or islands. 

When we do this, G-d will tell us as He told Noach:  “The time for your redemption has arrived.  He will send the Moshiach and engulf the world in holiness, goodness and peace for all. We hope and pray that day is soon, and let us say, Amain

 Good Shabbos! A Rabbi once asked his students, “If G-d wanted to destroy the world, how would He do it”?  The first student suggested “G-d would make another flood”. 

“That can’t be”, said a second student, “because G-d promised to never again bring a flood upon the face of the earth.  Instead, he suggested, “a series of enormous fires might be the way G-d would choose to destroy the earth”. 

A third student suggested a great tsunami and a fourth thought that G-d could destroy the world through massive global warming.  The Rabbi just smiled and continued to shake his head no.  Finally he explained that if G-d wanted to destroy the world He would not have to take any of these major castasrophic actions.  Instead He would simply stop “actively creating the world” and it would immediately cease to exist, sort of like unplugging the TV set and the picture disappearing. 

The verse states, “In the beginnig, G-d created the Heaven and the Earth.”  Yet we also learn: ”G-d renews with kindness the works of creation each and every day.”  Our sages explain that in the beginning there was no world.  There was just G-d.  Then, G-d decided to create the world. However, creation is not a one time event that was done thousands of years ago.  Creation is an ongoing process.  If G-d would stop actively creating the world for even one instant, the entire universe would revert back to a state of nothingness. 

This is an amazing lesson which applies to many parts of life.  Many people go through life burdened by issues from sometimes long in the past.  We do not need to be slaves to those weights pulling us down!  G-d is recreating the entire world at this very instant.  We can be FREE men and women. 

It is a brand new world.  Every day, every minute, every second - G-d is creating the world again.  The past is behind us.  We can affect the future in any way we choose - for beginning this moment we can, and must, start again. 

Which brings me to an important question about creation!  Why would G-d create the world in such a way that we need to sleep for almost 1/3 of our existence?  Surely G-d wanted us to make a positive impact upon the world.  If so, why make us require sleep?  If G-d could create the entire world, couldn’t He also create a world in which people don’t need to sleep?  Imagine if people could work 24 hours a day - just imagine just how much more we could get done. 

At first this question might seem pointless, but I think, based on what we just discussed regarding creation being an ongoing process, the need for sleep teaches a most valuable lesson.  For if we had no sleep we would have no tomorrow.  Life would be one long unending series of events.  Sleep allows us to change from passive to active.  Tomorrow can be a new start.  When we wake up tomorrow we can choose to begin the day and the rest of our lives with no limits to our potential. 

I heard of a story of a man who asked his sons to each take turns at filling a room as fully as they possibly could.  The oldest son was a farmer and chose to fill the room with dirt.  He brought bulldozers and dump trucks and shovels and filled every inch with as much dirt as it could possible hold.  When he was done, the boy was quite proud of his accomplishments.  His father said nothing, showed no emotion, and waited to see what his brothers would do. 

The second brother was an accountant.  He chose to fill the room with piles and piles of papers.  He had boxes and files and reams of paper.  He brought in records that had been accumulating for many years and filled the room from floor to ceiling.  He, too, was quite proud of his accomplishments.  Yet, his father still showed no emotion and waited to see what the youngest brother would do. 

The youngest brother was a Yeshiva student.  He did not have experience on the farm or the acres of dirt that his brother had used.  Nor did he have the massive papers that his second brother had accumulated over many years.  But, with the wisdom that he had attained in the Yeshiva, this son waited until night and then invited his father and brothers into the empty room.  He closed the door and the room was engulfed in pitch black darkness.  Then he took a candle out of his pocket, lit the candle, and suddenly the room was filled with light.  Now, the father smiled. 

As we go forward into a new Jewish year, we would do well to remember that some fill their homes with things that are earthly - jewels and furs and the most expensive of furniture.  Others are more interested in paper, especially those papers with pictures of Presidents on them.  They fill their homes with stocks and bonds and portfolios.  Both of these life choices leave much to be desired. 

The truly wise person fills their life with light. 

• Torah is light.
• Sabbath candles are light.
• Kindness to strangers is light.
• Values are light.
• Good deeds are light.

G-d is creating a new world starting this moment.  Tomorrow we will wake up from our sleep to yet a new and beautiful world.  Let us choose together to fill our world with light.

May our lives be forever illuminated with that Divine glow and brilliance, and, let us say Amain!

 Good Shabbos and Happy Sukkos!  The Torah says: “Vsamacta Bechageca - One should rejoice on the festivals.”  This is the positive commandment that on Pesach, Shavous, and Sukkos - one is obligated to be happy.

I can understand that on Pesach we should rejoice.  Our people had been slaves for hundreds of years and we were finally redeemed by G-d to be free men and women.  Obviously, this is a great reason to rejoice.

I can understand that on Shavous we should rejoice.  This is the time that we received the Torah which connects us mortal limited men and women to the Infinite and Almighty Omnipotent G-d.  Logic would say that there is no connection between infinite and finite, so if G-d forged a connection with us through the Torah on Shavous, this is certainly a reason to rejoice. 

Sukkos doesn’t really recount anything. It does commemorate our 40 years of our being protected by G-d while we wondered in the desert but there is no single occurrence that would be an obvious justification or a reason to rejoice.    

Upon further examination, the word “Simcha” refers an ongoing, long-lasting state of happiness rather than a short lived burst of joy. With this understanding, Sukkos does indeed represent a great reason to rejoice for it commemorates G-d’s protection to us over the long term and by extension throughout all of the generations. 

I have only one question.  In the book of Koheles which we just read, King Solomon tells us that joy is meaningless…….  joy is futile…..  joy is madness…….

So as soon as we get into the mood to celebrate this festival with joy, we read the book Koheles which says joy is meaningless.  How can we make sense of these contradictory messages? 

I came across another question in reading today’s portion.  The first set of 10 Commandments which G-d gave us in the presence of over 3 million people, with lightning and thunder and great special effects, did not last but a very short time.  Today we read of the 2^nd set of tablets.  These were given to Moses alone.  No man was allowed to be with him.  Not even Aaron or the elders.  Yet, these tablets somehow survived throughout all of the generations.  What enabled the 2^nd set of Tablets endure through time, while the first barely lasted at all?

I now know the answer to both these questions, for they were taught to be by a young lady from Brooklyn over the last 24 hours.  Let me explain:

Many of you know that this past Sunday was my birthday.  What you may not know is that my son, Chaim, called me from New York and asked me how I planned to celebrate my birthday?  I answered I had nothing particular planned, so he asked if I would fly to New York to spend the day with him and meet a young lady whom he wished to marry.  I think the best present I ever received is Fraidy Raskin and her lovely family, who will be merging with our own and we welcome them wholeheartedly.

Over the last 24 hours, having talked to Fraidy and having gotten to know her a bit better, I have come to realize

• 1. the meaning of this week’s portion,
• 2. the message of the Koheles, and
• 3. the way which the Sages intended for us to celebrate and rejoice.

There are 2 kinds of joy.  One kind of joy happens when the stock market goes up.  Everyone is excited.  Everyone is joyous.  The world is beautiful, and, all is good.  Sukkos is not about that they type of joy.

Sukkos was chosen to be celebrated at this particular time of year, because this is also the harvest season during when we have much reason to be thankful to G-d.  Whenever things are good in our lives we should acknowledge that the source of all goodness is Almighty G-d.  Sukkos tells us to leave our homes and all the beautiful things that we have within them and to go out into the Sukkah where our sole source of protection is G-d.    

Do I love “things”?  Of course I do.  We all do.  But, the lesson of Sukkos is to cherish family and health and love more that physical possessions.  And, I have to say I learned this lesson over the last 24 hours from my daughter-in-law to be, Miss Fraidy Raskin.  Fraidy is a beautiful woman but even more importantly, she is beautiful on the inside and has a beautiful spirit and the types of characteristics that should be cherished by all.  I am extremely happy for both Chaim and Fraidy and wish them every type of joy and happiness in their future lives together. 

The first set of tablets were given in front of all of Israel with much pomp and circumstance.  But they did not last. The second set were given to Moshe alone.  The Sages explain  “Ein Lecha Yafa Min Haztinius” - there is no better quality that modesty. 

And, the same can be said regarding joy.  True joy does not come from having a fancy car or a long fur coat.  Such joy, King Solomon tells us is meaningless. 

True joy is realizing that the best things in life are those things that can’t be bought.  True joy comes from the things that make us happy on the inside - such as love, family, self respect, and feeling G-d.

Other nations build building and palaces to mark their strength. We refer to the monarchy of David as the “Sukkah” of King David for we realize the source of our success and our joy comes not from what we amass such as our homes  - but from   G-d, commemorated by the Sukkah. 

We therefore hope and pray that all of the holidays be times of rejoicing and that very soon G-d rebuilds fallen Sukkah of David so we can all then rejoice with the greatest feelings of joy, and let us say, AMEN. 

Good Shabbos!  The portion begins with the words Vayelech Moshe  - And Moshe went.  At the time of portion Moshe was already 120 years old.  So where was he going already? 

I recently heard a story of an immigrant named Berel, who came to America from the old country and wanted to open a department store.  Before he invested his life savings, he decided it would be most beneficial to walk the streets of New York and see what type of stores attracted the largest crowds. 

He came to one store and saw that it had numerous people, many more than he had seen up to that point.  He asked someone coming out of the store, why there were so many people shopping there, and they pointed to a large sign in the window.  Didn’t you see the sign?  That’s why there are so many people. 

Berel painstakingly copied down the letters on the sign and felt much better, for now he was well on his way for attracting a large crowd for his soon to open department store.  He continued to walk through the busy streets of New York until he came to another store that also had a large group of shoppers.  Again, he stopped a shopper and asked why there were so many people patronizing his store?  The man said, “Didn’t you see the large sign in the window?”  So Berel carefully copied each letter of this sign too, for he realized this sign would help bring in the masses of shoppers that he desired. 

The big day arrived and Berel opened his store.  To ensure the maximum numbers of shoppers, he put out both signs on the two front windows of his new store, but no shoppers came in.  He went to check his signs and they both seemed perfect. On one side was a sign - Grand Opening.  And on the other side a second sign which read - Going Out of Business. 

It seems funny at first, but the story is really quite sad.  All too often a boy will come to the Synagogue to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah with family and friends.  He will read from the Torah and make a beautiful speech committing to be a wonderful person and a religious Jew.  It is as if he held up a big sign - Grand Opening.  But, by the time the day is over and the caterer cleans up, it is often time to put up another sign that regretfully says:  Going Out of Business. 

Yet today I am most happy to be celebrating with you the 65^th anniversary of the Bar Mitzvah of Phil Greiver.  Phil had a grand opening 65 years ago and now, even after all these years, he is still going strong.  What separates Phil Greiver from so many other well intention, kind, sweet wonderful Jews who regretfully have a GRAND OPENING and then follow almost immediately with the GOING OUT OF BUSINESS?   

Maybe the answer can best be gleaned from a story.  I heard of a unique Bar Mitzvah present that was once given to a Bar Mitzvah boy from a very intelligent grandfather.  Of course there was a check included in the gift but the main part of the gift was in a long thin box with the check just tied to the top.  The Bar Mitzvah boy opened the check, smiled profusely at his grandfather’s generosity, and then untied the ribbon surrounding the box which held the special gift. 

Imagine his surprise when inside the box was nothing but an empty bottle of Coca Cola.  Under the bottle was a short note “To my beloved Grandson, cherish the message of this bottle and it will guarantee your success in all parts of your life.” 

The boy could not understand what his grandfather could have meant.  He called him and said, “Zeide, please tell me what you meant by giving me this bottle.  What message for life could I possibly obtain from an empty coke bottle?”

The grandfather explained, “When I was a boy, whenever we bought a bottle of pop, we would have to give a few extra cents for deposit to insure that we would return that bottle and receive our money back.  This would insure that no one littered and the company was able to reuse these bottles in the future.” 

“However, if you look closely, etched into the bottle there is an amazing lesson that I wanted you to learn.  Look at it closely, by beloved Grandson, and tell me what you see.”  The boy read the words etched on the bottle - No Deposit No Return.

Miracles do happen, explained the grandfather.  “Sometimes, out of the blue, G-d may help you even when you make no effort on your own.  But, that is not usually the way the world works.  If you want to get a proper return, you have to put in the effort of making a real deposit.  If you want a marriage to work, you have to deposit energy, and time, and love.  If you want a business to work, you have to invest a significant amount of capital and hard work.  In fact, most anything in life will only give you a return based on the amount that you made as a deposit. 

Phil Greiver is a man who made a great deposit. He is an accomplished physician who helped thousands of patients during his career. He gave of his time and talents to Jewish Hospital and became a board member there.  He was active on the Four Courts Board of Directors.  He deposited time and efforts at the Day School and is a Past President of the Vaad Hakashruth and remains active on that Board to this day. 

Phil grew up in a Kosher home where Torah values were respected and Shabbos and holiday were all observed.  And together with his wife Roz, they have been a beautiful return on their deposit in the way of their wonderful children and grandchildren.  

As we mark this Shabbos called “The Shabbos of Repentance and each of us make resolutions to be better Jews and better Mentchen, we would be well served to remember - No Deposit means No Return.  All of us celebrated a Grand Opening on Rosh Hashana - Let’s make sure that we do not have a Going Out of Business sale after Yom Kippur.

I encourage you all to choose one area of your life that you can be a little more stringent, meticulous, careful and fulfilling.  Together lets hope and prayer that we can proudly stand before G-d with another sign - Open For Business.  

This may be the lesson from the opening words of this week’s Torah portion as well.  Moshe was already 120 years old.  The day of his death was approaching.  But he refused to surrender. He refused to put up the Going Out of Buisness sign. 

Vayelech Moshe - Moshe continued to go.  Even on the last day of his life, Moses was on the move - teaching, leading, going onward - making the most of every opportunity.  He remained OPEN FOR BUSINESS as long as he lived. 

Maybe this is also the meaning of the Haftorah we read today.  Shuva Yisroel - Repent O’ Israel and Kechu Emachem Devorm - Take words along with you.  Cherish the words you said when you committed to your GRAND OPENING, so all of your life you know and feel G-d because you are always: OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

May Phil have a wonderful birthday and may we all have a wonderful year and let us say, AMAIN.

Good Yom Tov.  I would like to begin this morning by sharing with you two Hebrew names and two Hebrew words.  The Hebrew names are those of two famous biblical figures.  The first is Adom Harishon, which means Adam, the first man.  The second is Avrohom Avinu, which means Abraham our father.   

Excellent!  Now let’s learn two Hebrew words.  The first is: “Ayeka” - which means: Where are you?  Let’s say it together - Ayeka.  The 2^nd word is “Hineni” - which means: Here I am.  Let’s say this word together as well - Hineni.  We have now learned two Hebrew names and two Hebrew words.  And with these words, let’s try to examine why we are here today. 

5769 years ago, a man sat in the Garden of Eden, feeling naked and ashamed of the way he had acted.  He then had the chutzpah to try to hide himself and his actions from G-d.  At that moment, he heard the thundering voice of G-d which asked: “Ayekah! Where are you?”

G-d certainly knew where Adam was. G-d knows everything.  Why then would G-d ask Adam Ayeka - where are you?  It is because this means more than just where are you situated physically.  It was actually a call which reached the depths of Adam’s soul. “Ayeka” - where are you spiritually?  Ayeka - Where are you in regard to the mission I set out for you?  “Ayeka” Where are you in regard to what I expect of you?  “Ayeka” Where are you in regard to your potential which I entrusted to you?  “Ayeka” - WHERE ARE YOU?

What an incredible Rosh Hashana message.  G-d is calling out to each and every one of us and asking - Ayeka - Harry; Ayeka Shirley; Ayeka Bruce; Ayeka Rose.  Ayeka - where are you this Rosh Hashana in relation to where you were last year?  And, once you realize where you are, how can you make sure to be at an even better place by next Rosh Hashana?

For this reason, it would have seemed to have been the perfect choice for Rosh Hashana to have read the Torah portion which recounts this important exchange between G-d and Adam which took place on the very first Rosh Hashana in history.   Adam was the collective father of all mankind.  We would take this lesson to heart and then personalize it, to have it guide us to achieve our greatest potential.

But NO, instead of reading of this Divine Calling to Adam, we read of a different Divine Calling made to Abraham instead.  G-d calls out to Abraham and Abraham responds: “Hineni” - “Here I am, - ready to listen and to obey, whatever You might ask”. 

If we are to be 100% honest - which of these two episodes can we more closely identify with?  Which one more closely resembles the way we usually relate to G-d?  Is it the perfect G-dly servant who say Hineni - Here I am, O’ G-d, ready and willing to do ANYTHING you ask?  Or, do we relate better to Adam, who was not quite perfect, who messed up, and then tried to hide from G-d until he was called on it and asked “Ayeka”?  

After all, we are Jews - so we each are ingrained with a bit of what we might fondly call “Yiddishe Chutzpa”!

Did you hear what happened when Bill Gates advertised for a new chairman of Microsoft Europe?

5,000 candidates applied for the position and there were all directed in a large auditorium.  One of them was Maurice Cohen, a sweet Jewish man from the suburbs of London, England. 

Bill Gates thanks the candidates for coming but asks all those who are not familiar with the JAVA computer program language to leave. 2000 people rise and leave the room.

 Maurice Cohen says to himself, “I thought Java was a type of coffee, but what have I got to lose if I stay?  I’ll give it a try”.

 Bill Gates then asks all those who have no experience of managing teams of more than 100 people to please leave. Another 2000 people go.

Maurice Cohen says to himself, “I have never managed anybody but myself but what have I got to lose if I stay?    What can happen? I’ll give it a try.”

Then Bill Gates asks all candidates who do not have outstanding academic qualifications to rise and leave.  500 people remove themselves.

Maurice Cohen says to himself, “I left school at 15 but what have I got to lose if I stay? So he stays in the room.

Lastly, Bill Gates tells the candidates that for this job he needs someone who not only speaks English, French and Italian - but   the person who becomes the chairman of Microsoft  Europe must also be fluent in Serbo-Croatian.  Therefore those who are not fully fluent in all of these languages may leave.  498 people rise and leave the room.

Maurice Cohen says to himself, “I don’t speak any of those languages and never even heard of Serbo-Croatian but why leave now -  what could I possibly lose by staying?”

 He finds himself alone with just one other candidate. Everyone else has gone. Bill Gates joins them and says: “Apparently you are the only two candidates who speak Serbo-Croatian. I’d like to hear you converse with one another in Serbo-Croatian. 

 Calmly Maurice turns to the other candidate, smiles, extends his hand,  and says:  ”Shalom Aleichem.” The other candidate smiles warmly and responds back:  ”Alechem Sholom.” 

Think about it, nobody’s got chutzpah like we got chutzpah. And indeed, that is part of the reason Jews are so successful at whatever they put their mind to from business success to academic achievements to medical advances and even receiving Nobel Prizes.

What then might be most meaningful Torah reading to inspire the greatest number of Jews to be moved to do Teshuva?  Might it not be the Divine call to Adam, whose story is one we can so clearly relate to?  Instead, we get the story of the Divine call to the perfect Abraham who responds with total obedience and says: “Hineni” - I will do whatever you ask”.

 And what does G-d then ask?  He says “Please do a small favor for me” -  Take your son, your only one, the one you love…, and offer him unto Me…. as a human sacrifice“. 

The Torah uses the words “Kach Na” which means “Please take”.  Rashi explains that this phrase was used as a plea to Abraham, as if to say:  “Please do this, pass this test for me, because if you don’t people will say everything else you have done for me in the past has been meaningless”!

How in the world could Rashi say this?   How could anyone say that if Abraham was not able to offer his son as a sacrifice to G-d that EVERYTHING else he had done was meaningless?   Was allowing himself to be thrown in a fire for accepting G-d meaningless?  Was leaving his homeland and all that he knew meaningless?  Was circumcising himself at the age of 99 meaningless?  Why would failing this single test put into question everything else that Abraham had ever done for G-d?   

Why is this final test so important more than all of the other tests of Abraham combined?  This is the man who gave his whole life - 137 years to G-d.  Why, if he isn’t ready to kill his son for G-d, does it mean that everything else is insignificant?!

Is it fair that if we fail one single test to negate a whole lifetime of heroism and achievement?

He then vows to never be embarrassed like that again. He joins a local gym and commences a full year of weight training - along with push ups, sit ups, chin up and sprinting.   

The next year, he comes back to shul and when the gabbai calls him up, he sprints up the stairs to the bima, picks up the Torah like it was made of feathers, and flips it in the air. While the Torah is spinning, Moshe does a somersault and gets on his feet just in time to catch the falling Torah.

He then turns to the Gabbai and says, “What do you think of that?” The Gabbai replies, “Very nice, but we gave you Shishi!”

It’s not about what we like or dislike.  It’s ALL about what He asks us to do… We can lift the Torah when we are asked to say say its blessing, and we can’t decide on our own how WE best think we should show love to G-d.  When we truly love and care about someone - we don’t give them what WE like, we find out what they desire and give them that instead.  So the only right way to serve G-d is to do that which HE asks of us, without adapting it to our personal whims or desires. 

However, human nature is such that virtually every time we do a mitzvah, there is always at least a little bit of an ulterior motive.  One person might seek to impress his mother-in-law.  Another might seek to impress his neighbor.  One person may do a mitzvah because it makes him feel proud in front of his children and another may want to receive a special recognition from his shul or temple.  The bottom line is, most often when we do a mitzvah - even for valid and good reasons, there is most often at least a bit of “us” mixed into G-d’s mitzvah. 

However, the request that G-d made of Abraham was the exact opposite of everything that Abraham believed and taught since he was a child of 3 years old.  He preached AGAINST human sacrifice and taught kindness as the root of all relationships. 

Furthermore, G-d had promised him that through Isaac, He would establish the Jewish nation.  With Isaac dead, the entire concept of a nation of Israel and Jewish continuity would be lost. 

A thousand protests must have been exploding in Abraham’s head.  His heart must have been torn at the mental image of his son being offered up as a sacrifice.  But all he says is “Hineni - Here I am, O’G-d, ready to obey whatever you desire!”  

 How absolutely incredible… how incredibly inspiring… how powerful a lesson…

The Kli Yakar explains the special moment that Abraham and Isaac shared at this point.  “Vayomer Avi,” Isaac begins to realize what is happening and thought that maybe Abraham had lost his senses.  He calls out to Abraham and says:  “Avi” - “Are you still my father?  Are you still the same man of loving kindness who raised me and guided me since the day I was born”? 

 ”Vyomer hineni bni”, Abraham answers, “Yes, my beloved son.  I still love you as much as before. There is no change”. 

 ”In that case” questions Isaac, “what’s going on”?

“Vayomer”, So Abraham answers him and says:  “Elokim yire’eh” - It is the will of G-d that I do this.  I still love you as I already have but G-d has commanded that “leolah bni” that you be the sacrifice my dear Isaac. Vayelchu shneyhem yachdav! Yitzchok doesn’t miss a beat… together father and son walk hand in hand utterly dedicated to one thing - fulfilling the will of G-d! Not because they understand or because they even enjoy it - but because G-d decreed it. 

Now we can appreciate why this selection is chosen to be read on Rosh Hashana, for this is surely the greatest Rosh Hshana message of all.  Adam is not our hero. His life story is not suited for Rosh Hashana at all. However, where Adam failed, Abraham succeeded.  That is why Adam is called Adom Harishon - the first man, but Abraham is affectionately knows as Avraham Avinu - Abraham our father.  Abraham and Isaac - they are our patriarchs.  Their lives were the example and model to which we now aspire. 

• We are about to blow the Shofar and remember Abraham saying hineni - here I am ready to do whatever you ask. 
• We are about to blow the shofar and remember our ancestors at Mount Sinai saying Naaseh Vnishma - we will do whatever you ask, even before we hear what is it you desire.  
• We are about to blow the shofar and say: G-d we are here, and we promise to do our utmost to serve you, with love.   

We are about to blow the shofar and recommit ourselves as servants of the One Supreme Divine Master.   The Talmud teaches: Kol hakone eved ivri kona odon l’atzmo”.  When one acquires a Jewish slave, they also become obligated to feed and provide and take care of all the needs of that servant as well.  If we commit today, to be His true servants - serving Him on His terms and not on ours, then G-d promises to reward us, sustain us, uphold us and bless us with health, happiness, prosperity, contentment, long life, and with peace.  Now is our chance, through the blowing of the Shofar, to lock ourselves and our families in for a good and sweet year.  

 Shana Tova to one and all.     

 Good Yomtov.  In a very short time from now, we will have the opportunity to choose and vote for the most powerful leader of the entire world.  But think about it - why would ANYONE want that job? 

When a single person I know gets sick, I can’t sleep.  If any of my friends or family or children is, G-d forbid, in any type of difficult situation - it weighs on my mind all day.  I would certainly not want to have to worry about millions or even billions of people and untold issues around the world.     
 
On the international scene:

• The Iranians are trying to build a nuclear bomb.
• Al Qaeda is eliciting support all over the Middle East.
• The Russians are trying to forcibly maintain control over parts of Georgia.
• There is continued unrest in Pakistan and Afghanistan

And within our own country:

• The economy is on the brink of disaster,
• Inflation is high, and
• There are major problems with health care and education.
• Medicare is running out of money.
• We are creating bigger and bigger debts for our children.

None of these problems will be solved overnight - so I ask again - why would anyone agree to become a leader at such a difficult time in history?   

Upon further consideration, I came up with two reasons why someone might agree to become a leader of the world and face all of the scrutiny and complaints that this job inevitably brings.  Two reasons - no less and no more. 

The first reason is …….

• 1. Power. Everyone likes having some power. For some it may mean being the driver instead of just being the passenger. For others, I guess, it could even mean being the driver of a town or a nation or even the entire planet Earth. This type of leader scares me.

The second reason is:  

• 2. To fulfill a desire to make a difference. This is something we can all relate to. This is the impetus that urges people to give charity, volunteer to help others, and even choose certain careers, such as a nurse or maybe even a Rabbi. So if someone was truly kind in the greatest sense of the word, and they understood all of the problems that exist yet believed that our best days are still to come and that together we could make this world a better place, then this might be a valid reason for someone to seek our vote.

 This is the type of leader we all need. And I know just which candidate exemplifies these qualities.  This is the one candidate I choose to vote for and I hope you all do the same.  Today, I encourage you to join me…… in voting for G-d. 

 In November, Americans will have the chance to choose a president “of the people, by the people”.  Well, we Jews also get to choose our leader “of the people, by the people”. Voting is today.  Right now.  This is our chance to “Applaud for G-d”.

You see, G-d was not always the King of the world.  He was not actually a King at all, until He created the world.  G-d is much greater than just being a king. “King” or even “King of Kings” describes just one small characteristic of who G-d is. 

But one day, G-d decided to create the world and to become its’ King.  Why?  Because G-d had great plans for a wonderful world in which everyone would treat each other with respect and caring and everyone would fulfill their Divine Mission and their role in creation. 

But, and this is very important, by the rules that G-d set up, He doesn’t want to be a dictator.  He doesn’t want to just seek power and control of our lives and of the world.  He only agrees to be our King, if each year on Rosh Hashanah, we vote for Him, choose Him, elect Him as our King and coronate Him as our King by blowing the Shofar.    

You see, without our choosing G-d, He would still be All-Powerful.  He could still be a ruler or a dictator, but not a “king”.  To be a king - requires that a nation accepts His rule. 

But who would want to be King over a world gone mad?  Between all of the craziness going on in Russia and Europe and the Middle East and Asia and even here in America,  why should G-d not just throw in the towel and give up on this idea of a better world with peace and brotherhood and spiritual bliss?

It is a good question.  In fact, our Sages tell us that each year on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, G-d pulls back from the world and wonders the same thing.  Should He go through another year in this relationship as our King, especially after all the things we did wrong since last Rosh Hashanah? Or, maybe He should forget the whole experiment and go back to just being G-d, without the hassles of this world with all of its issues. 

Imagine a marriage in which one of the spouses has betrayed his or her partner in the worst possible way.  Imagine that they did something so bad that the very essence of that relationship is now in doubt.  The trust, upon which the marriage is founded, has been shaken.  Can this marriage be saved? 

In our relationship with G-d, it took only 39 days since we were “married” and received the 10 commandments until we sinned with the Golden Calf.  Moses poured out his heart in prayer and all of the Jews did Teshuva and begged G-d to renew this relationship once more.   It took much pleading and sincerity but finally G-d agreed to renew that relationship again and presented a second set of the Ten Commandments to our ancestors. 

Well, in a very similar way, each year on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, G-d pulls back from the world to consider: Is this relationship worth saving.  Each year, when we gather in shul and blow the shofar - at that moment G-d accepts, once again, to be our King and Lover again.

It isn’t about fixing what we have done wrong - next week we will have Yom Kippur for that.  Today is just the two sides saying this relationship is worth saving.  The Jews say “who is like you among all of the heavens, O’ G-d” and G-d responds, “Who is like my nation Israel, a singular nation on Earth”.  The relationship has been secured.  Old issues will not be raised again.  Love, Trust, Hope, and Faith in one another has replaced the doubts and an unconditional love is now kindled between us. 

This is what is happening at this very moment in the heavens.  As we now resolve to “buy into His plan for the future” and blow the Shofar to coronate Him as our King.  This is when He accepts to be our King again and accept the leadership of the world for an additional period of one year. 

In addition to blowing the shofar we read a portion of the Torah to express our commitment to our special relationship with G-d.  What portion is chosen?  Is it the Ten Commandments?  No, it is not!  Is it the Shema Yisroel depicting our faith in the oneness of G-d?  No, it is not! Instead, we read an amazing story of a woman named Sarah who had a baby at the age of 90. 

You may have heard of Patricia Rashbrook who recently, at the age of 62, had a baby boy.  Someone commented that after she brought the baby home from the hospital a number of her friends came over and asked to see the baby.  However, she refused.  She said the baby was sleeping and only when it woke up and started to cry would she let them see the baby.  “Please,” they asked, “we will be quiet. Can’t we just take a peek?”

“No,” Mrs. Rashbrook responded, “you will have to wait until the baby wakes up and cries….., because I can’t remember where I left him.” 

My question is:  why do we read about Sarah having a baby on Rosh Hashanah?  Granted it is a wonderful miracle to have a baby at the advanced age of 90, but there are numerous miracles which G-d has performed for our people.  Why this story over all others? 

Rashi explains that Sarah named her son, Yitzchok because it means to laugh. “Kol Hashomaya Yitchak Li - all who hear of it will laugh with me”.  It does say laugh at her but rather laugh WITH her.  You see, according to Rashi, at the same time that  Sarah had her miraculous baby, numerous other barren women were remembered with her and they too gave birth and were happy alongside Sarah.  This is the first occasion upon which much of the world looked to the Jew and took inspiration and comfort and joy from them. 

You see, our role is not just to love G-d for ourselves, but to be a light unto the nations and share our faith and belief in G-d with the world around us.  Because of our special connection with G-d, we are urged to be a living example to the entire world and all of its nations. 

However, read on in the portion and you will find an obvious question.  After Sarah has her son, she decides that Yishmael is a bad influence on Yitzchok and tells her husband to send the boy away.  So while we are thinking about sharing our love and faith with the world around us, Sarah says “Get rid of Yishmael - he is an unsafe influence on my son, Yitzchok”.

What happened to Sarah working alongside her husband in bring monotheism to all people of all faiths?  What happened to Tikkun Olam and showing kindness and sensitivity to all people?

Sarah explains that the reason that she wants Yishmael gone is so he will not inherit from Abraham along with Yitzchok.  Again, is this fair?  And why worry about an inheritance now when Abraham will live another 72 years?  And even if she does throw out Yishmael, does she think that will keep him from showing up at Abraham’s death to claim an inheritance?  Everyone knows: Where there is a will - there is a relative! 

I heard a story of an elderly millionaire whose hearing started to return after being deaf for five years.  His doctor mentioned how happy his family must be that he can hear again.  “Are you kidding”, he said, “I didn’t tell them that I can hear again.  I have already revised my will 3 times”. 

The Kli Yakor explains that Sarah was actually interested in the spiritual inheritance of Abraham.  She wanted her son to carry on the bond of love that G-d promised to Abraham. 

Of course she wanted Tikun Olam - that we all work together to make the world a better place, but she wanted the real Tikkun Olam which is changing the world to know G-d as our King.  It means choosing to have faith and to cherish the bond of love which he forged with us.  So Sarah did whatever it took so that Yitzchok would carry on the spiritual legacy of his father Abraham and indeed the entire world benefitted from it. 

And the Midrash says that per plan indeed worked.  Even Yishmael changed for the better.  35 years later, Yishmael accompanies Abraham and Isaac as they go to the Akeida.

35 years after that, he follows the coffin of his father with respect and admiration for Yitzchok who has continued in his father’s footsteps.  And, the Medrash tells us, that Yishmael ultimately does teshuva and dies a religious and righteous man. 

How did that happen that the boy who liked to shoot arrows at Yitzchok becomes religious in his later years? 

The answer is:    

• when we live up to our potential,
• when we cherish the bond of love with G-d,
• when we follow his laws and fulfill His commandments,

then even Yishmael is moved, and the entire world becomes better, thanks to our positive influence.

•  As we prepare to blow the Shofar and coronate G-d as our King - we should take heed that Rosh Hashana reminds us that the way to do Tikkun Olam and change the world is by changing ourselves first, and then to change the world to be a better and more G-dly place.
• As we prepare to blow the Shofar and coronate G-d as our King - we should take heed that Rosh Hashana challenges us to be that son or daughter who cherishes our relationship of love with G-d and walks in the ways of those who preceded us. And finally,
• As we prepare to blow the Shofar and coronate G-d as our King - we should take heed that Rosh Hashana challenges us to renew our commitment to G-d and renew our bond of Torah and Mitzvos.

May the upcoming year be one in which we open our hearts and minds to G-d and then one in which G-d reciprocates and blesses us with an abundance of all goodness both spiritual and material.   May we soon merit to hear the sounding of the great shofar announcing the arrival of the Moshiach and the era of peace, health, brotherhood, and a knowledge of G-d for all, and let us say,  AMAIN

 Good Shabbos! I would like to begin by offering my best wishes of Mazel Tov to my wife on the birth of her grandson and to the Susman family, on the birth of their son, this past Thursday.  This makes me a Zaide too.  I would like to thank all of the many people you have shared wishes of Mazel Tov to both the Susmans and the Litvins.

Thursday was also the birthday of the world.  Rosh Hashana is the birthday of man.  Adam and Eve were created on the 6^th day of creation, which is the first day of the month of Tishrei, as known as Rosh Hashana.  However, the creation of the world, the “birth of the world” as it were, actually took place on the 25^th on Elul which corresponds to this past Thursday. 

Another exciting birthday of this past week was that of our esteemed Treasurer, Past-President, and a pillar of both our synagogue and of our community, Mr. Bill Yesowitch.  His family and friends are all here to share this special day with him.  On behalf of myself, my family, the board of directors, and the entire shul, I would like to wish Bill a very happy birthday and many more happy and healthy years in which he and Judy enjoy much nachas from their children, grandchildren and extended family.  I thank all of his family members who kept the secret so well to make this birthday celebration a surprise for him as they came from near and far to celebrate this special day.   Even, Carla did not write the birthday announcement on the Shul calendar because Bill would have seen it when he came to sign checks and look over shul affairs.  Yasher Koach to Judy for keeping this celebration quiet, and Mazel Tov to Bill and to the entire family. 

I have another special greeting to share with the Synagogue. As many of you know, a few weeks ago I was honored to be included on a conference call with approximately 50 of my colleagues, from Senator John McCain. I shared the gist of his comments at the time and are available on this website at Parsha Reay, posted August 30, 2008, entitled “Open Your Eyes and See”.    

This past week, I was privileged to be on another conference call of even a larger group of Rabbis - this time with Senator Barak Obama.  He began talking to us by saying  ”Shana Tova”.  He went on to say that he admired the way Jews marked their New Year with “determined rejoicing” and a recommitment to Tikun Olam - the repairing of the world. 

He went on to say that these are difficult times and repair is needed on many fronts, such as the economy, terrorism, and education.  He said that in his belief “we are our brother’s keeper”.  And, besides individual responsibilities we also have mutual responsibilities to each other, such as maintaining the security of Israel, caring for the needy and healthcare for all.

Senator Obama concluded that he especially appreciated this holiday of Rosh Hashana when the Shofar is blown to rouse us from our slumber and urge us to repent from the past and to do better in the future.  He asked me to share greetings to all of you for a happy and sweet new year. 

Today’s Torah portion begins “Atem Nitz Avim Hayom” - You are all standing “today”, which our Sages tell us refers to “standing at the cusp of a new year.”  This birthday of the world is indeed very similar to a birthday of an individual.  They are both a time of taking stock of the past and looking forward to the future.

Imagine there were already nearly six billion people on earth when you were born.  Did the world really need you?  Can one more soul really make a difference?  Obviously the answer is yes; otherwise G-d would not have sent your soul to this earth.  The fact that your were born means there must be some unique gift that you have to offer the world that none of those other six billion people could possibly achieve.

We generally think of a birthday as the anniversary of the day we were born.  There is a very different way of looking at it, however.  A birthday is the anniversary of the day that we were created. When we refer to the day that “we were born”, we are referring simply to our existence, ignoring to what or to whom we owe that existence.   When we speak about our birthday as the day that “G-d created us”, we imply that our existence is tied in with a purpose and we have the responsibility to realize that purpose.

In this way, a birthday is like a mini Rosh Hashana.  For Rosh Hashana also reaffirms the fact that we did not simply appear or evolve but that we were created. Being created infers a purpose for our existence.  We have a mission - to live proper lives and to make the world a better and more G-dly place.

This also helps to explain why people celebrate birthdays at all.  Since we only have a limited amount of time to live one might think that each passing year just reminds us that we have one year LESS to live. So, why celebrate?

The answer is that it all depends.  If one focuses only on the physical, then every day that passes implies another day lost, another day less left to enjoy.  If, however, one chooses to focus on spiritual accomplishment, then every day that passes means another day added, because the value of spiritual accomplishments never expire. 

We should use this occasion to resolve to make the upcoming New Year a year of goodness, growth and spiritual accomplishment.  Happy Birthday to Bill, Happy Birthday to the World and Happy New Year to one and all, and let us say Amain! 

Good Shabbos!  Our Torah portion begins by reminding us of the Mitzvah to be thankful to G-d for all which He does for us.  I would like to thank G-d on behalf of this entire congregation for the good that He did for us in the recent dark days of our slice of Hurricane Ike.  I would like to thank G-d that our Synagogue did not lose power for even one moment.  Numerous people were not so fortunate.  Their lights went out, their TV’s shut off, their computers went blank, and they were without power.  It must be a very scary thing to be without power.  So, again, I say to G-d, on behalf of Congregation Anshei Sfard of Louisville, Kentucky, thank you so much for maintaining our power during the storm. 

I see some confused looks.  Yes, we too lost electricity. Most of the neighborhood around our shul was without electricity for nearly 3 days. In fact, the Synagogue was the last building in this neighborhood to have the electricity turned back on.  We lost our electricity, but, we never lost our power.  King David writes in the book of Psalms (62:11), “Power belongs to G-d.”   The prophet Isaiah says, (Chapter 40:29-31) “G-d strengthens the powerless and gives power to the weary.  Trust in the L-rd and He will renew your power”. Our congregation trusted in G-d.  We had services morning and night, with no lights and no air conditioning.  But, we had a minyon.  And, each one of those people who came to help make the minyon during those special days, deserve much blessing and reward from G-d. 

King David writes: “Put not your faith in princes for they cannot bring you salvation.”  We saw this on Sunday morning, during the beautiful program that we had with the Mayor, the prince of our city, but then out of the blue, the lights went out.  And, even the mayor was forced to continue in the dark. 

In the portion it says that if we observe the commandments,    G-d will give us blessings that are so great, that they will “overtake us”.  Sforno explains that this means that we will get blessings out of the blue, when we least expect them. 

So, there we all were, on Sunday morning, listening to the Mayor, when out of the blue, the lights went out.  As we now know, this gift of Hurricane Ike turned out to be the worst wind storm to hit Louisville for as long as they have been keeping records. Hundreds of thousands of people were left with no electricity.  It happened out of the blue, but was it a blessing?

Imagine, in just four hours, hundreds of trees that looked so beautiful, majestic and strong in the morning fell to the ground in a state of destruction.  There were limbs torn asunder and trees uprooted throughout our community.  The winds came at close to 80 miles an hour. When it was over, numerous trees were downed, changing the look of many of our neighborhoods forever.  Only the sturdiest of trees, with deep and healthy roots, were able to withstand those massive winds. 

I discussed this issue with Professor Natalie Polzer, who suggested an interesting lesson which I found intriguing.  Over the past few months, our Jewish community has seen a “hurricane” of sorts strike at our local communal institutions.  Majestic trees such as Eliahu Academy, Shalom Towers, Four Courts Nursing Home, the Kosher Café at the JCC, and the Hebrew program at University of Louisville have all been torn from their roots and our community already looks starkly different than it did just one year ago. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans made major changes to protect themselves from future hurricane winds.  In the aftermath of our hurricane, our Jewish community must also consider the consequences of massive trees (communal institutions) with a weak or undernourished root system. 

The roots of a tree are hidden from view.  But, it is specifically these roots that provides sustenance to the tree and enables it to withstand dangerous winds.  Our roots are our faith in G-d.  Like the roots of a tree, faith too may be unseen to the naked eye, but it is precisely one’s faith that protects them from the stormy winds of life that seem to strike with little or no warning, and without faith may overwhelm us. 

Jewish organizations are also built on faith. Faith in G-d….  Faith in goodness…  Faith in the future… Every Jewish organization should take the occasion of this hurricane to pause and ponder: Are we faithful to our mission?  Is our faith in G-d intact?  Do we still include G-d as a full partner in the way we run our communal institutions? 

The hurricane may indeed been a blessing.  I heard of no looting during this difficult time without lights.  On the contrary, I heard numerous stories of neighbors helping one another by sharing ice or the use of a generator or cutting the trees and gathering the debris that fell.  Furthermore, this hurricane may yet be a greater blessing still, if we use this occasion to strengthen our personal faith in the power of G-d and the strengthening of faith in G-d by our communal institutions.   

King David writes, “Hashem Oz leamo Yetain - G-d gives power to His people, Hashem Yevorach Es Amo Bashalom - G-d blesses His nation with peace.”  May the New Year bring no more trails or tribulations or power outages. Rather, may the upcoming New year bring good health, brotherhood, prosperity and peace for all, and let us say, Amain.