By Rabbi Gedalia Fogel
Hi! This is Rebbe speaking:
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succot!! What a busy time of year and it’s exciting too. There’s so much happening around us.
The new year begins with the month of Tishrei. The first day of the new year is called Rosh Hashana. On Rosh Hashana, Hashem judges all the Jews.
On Rosh Hashana we blow the shofar (horn of a ram) and we pray that we have a good year. We are very close to Hashem on this holy day. We refer to Hashem as our father. Just like you ask your father for what you need, so too you can ask Hashem for all your requests. And just like your father knows what’s best for you, so too Hashem knows what is best.
A prince decided to leave the palace and explore the outside world. He came to his father, the king and told him of his plans. The king pleaded with his son to stay, but the prince had his mind set. Before he departed the king gave his son the key to the entrance of the palace and said, “Whenever you feel like returning use this key to reenter the palace. I will be waiting for you.”
The prince went on his way. It took him time to get used to life outside of the royal palace. Things were very different than he was used to. But slowly, with time, the prince blended into the outside world. Many years passed and the prince vaguely remembered his royal upbringing. One night he had a dream that he was back in the palace spending time with his beloved father, the king. He awoke with a strong yearning to return home.
The prince immediately set out. When he arrived at the palace he took out the key that his father had given him upon his departure. He inserted it into the lock but the key would not turn. He tried numerous times but the key had become very rusty over the past few years. The prince burst into tears. His tears fell on the key and washed away the rust. The prince was finally able to enter the palace and reunite with his father whom he missed and loved so much.
All year we may stray from our Father in heaven, but Rosh Hashana we are awakened and we yearn to be reunited with our Father, the king. All our keys have become rusty. But the key of repentance is cleansed with our heartfelt prayers. Our Father, our king, Hashem, is waiting for us to return.
The days between Rosh Hashana, the first day of Tishrei and Yom Kippur, the tenth day of Tishrei, are called “Aseret Yimei Teshuva” – “Ten Days of Repentance”. These days are designated for repentance and it is easier to do Teshuva at this time.
We spend the day of Yom Kippur fasting and praying. This is a form of “Yirah” – fear. However, on Succot we are told to be “B’Simcha” to be happy and rejoice. It’s a mitzvah to be joyous on Succot. There are two ways to serve Hashem – through fear and through happiness. Both are important and there has to be a mixture of both, to fully do Hashem’s will. Everyone knows that we should love Hashem, but in order to do his will we must also be fearful of Him.
On succot we take 4 things, the Etrog, the Lulav, Aravot, and Hadassim and we put them all together. Look at these objects and you will see that the shape of each is similar to that of one’s body. The Etrog looks like the heart, the Lulav is compared to the spine; the Aravot are the lips and the Hadassim are the eyes. When we make a Beracha and shake them it cleanses them all.
Why do we shake the Lulav all six ways – up, down, right, left, front and back? We are chasing away the Yetzer Hara, the bad inclination. We want him to stay far away.
On Simchat Torah, the last day of Succot, we dance and sing with the Torah and our flags. We have completed the whole Torah throughout the year and the first Shabbat after, we begin again with Parshat Bereishit.
What have we learned today? What are two forms of Avodat Hashem – serving Hashem?
One must serve Hashem and do his will with both, Yirah – fear and Simcha – happiness. When we do a Mitzvah we should do it B’Simcha so that the Mitzvah will be complete. Build your Sukkah with joy, purchase a beautiful Etrog with happiness and these Mitzvot will be worth their fullest. If you help your mother clear off the table but you keep saying “Why do I have to do it? I wish I could go out to play” you lose part of the mitzvah. Do it with a smile!
What are important Mitzvot for us young boys and girls can do during these special holidays?
On Rosh Hashana we go to Shul (synagogue) to hear the Shofar. We must make sure to be extra quiet and not disturb. On Yom Kippur we must be on our best behavior. Our parents are fasting and they need us to help out and allow them to pray. There is a lot of preparation that goes into the Yom Tov of Succot. We can help with the building of the Sukkah or help to decorate and beautify the Sukkah. We can offer to help with the cooking or to take care and entertain the younger siblings. On Succot we shake the Lulav and Etrog each day.
Throughout these days, we collect and fill our “bags” with blessings that we use throughout the year.
May we all have a year of Simcha and good health. |
