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Rosh HaShanaPublished: 16/Sep/09 |
World Mizrachi wishes you, your families and all of Am Yisrael a Shana Tova U'Metuka – a happy and sweet New Year
Rosh Hashanah
Another Look at Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot
Rabbi Yosef Carmel, Eretz Hemdah
Much of the focus of the day of Rosh Hashana, both in terms of time and energy, is on tefilla. At the center of the tefillot is Musaf, and at the heart of Musaf there are three very unique berachot: Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot. What are the main themes of these three berachot and how do they find expression in the activities of the day?
Malchuyot is a vehicle to reconfirm the coronation of Hashem as King of the Universe, on this day that commemorates the beginning of the world’s existence. We invoke the concept of kingdom, the most grand and powerful position in human hierarchy, in order to try to capture something of the awe-inspiring nature of Hashem. Of course, the metaphor can take us only so far, as Hashem’s grandeur and omnipotence cannot be fully described in human terms or grasped by the human mind.
After reaching some type of picture of Hashem’s greatness, we are hit with the question: could Someone so great be interested by and involved in the lives of lowly humans? Through the p’sukim in Zichronot, we are reminded that Hashem was and will continue to be involved in the course of human history. He recalled and acted mercifully with Noach in the ark and with Bnei Yisrael in the depths of their servitude in
Other questions still linger on. He exists and leads us through history. But isn’t He too distanced to communicate with? To deal with this question, we are introduced to an ancient yet contemporary form of communication, the precursor l’havdil to the dots and dashes of Morse Code, which far surpasses even the codes of modern computers in its power. That is described in Shofarot. Hashem has used the shofar to communicate with us at Har Sinai and He has instructed us to use it communicate with Him. The sound of the shofar contains our emotions, in sounds that are more profound and versatile than words could ever be.
It is interesting that each of the three elements is the center of a different part of the day’s religious activities. Malchuyot is the center of our tefillot, taking over the main beracha of the day ("melech ...mekadesh ...v’yom hazikaron") and appearing prominently in many of our piyutim. Zichronot is highlighted in the Torah reading, where we read of Hashem’s remembering Sarah and the akeidat Yitzchak, two of the main themes of that beracha. Of course, Shofarot is carried out in the main, active Torah mitzva and the only motif of the day that the Torah mentions explicitly, the blowing of the shofar (Bamidbar 29:1). Thus, the three pillars of our spiritual existence, our tefilla ("service of the heart"), Torah study, and our performance of mitzvot, are all utilized to give proper expression to the concepts of the day.
News & Events
Hachnassat Sefer Torah – Sukkot – BOOK NOW!
5th Oct 2009 – Sukkot Luncheon for completion of the Sefer Torah in honor of Kurt and Edith Rothschild.
6th Oct 2009 – Hachnassat Sefer Torah in the new settlement of former Gush Katif residents in Halutza in the
Visit www.mizrachi.org for more details on the project.
NEW WEBSITE – www.mizrachi.org
As the New Year approaches, we are pleased to announce the launch of our newly designed website. Phase 1, which is mostly graphic, has been completed, with plans for brand new content which will be'H be developed over the upcoming few weeks.
We hope you enjoy the upgrade, and look forward to welcoming you back to our website. Stay posted for further additions! www.mizrachi.org
SAVE THE DATES – Jewish Heritage Tour #9 -
March 7th – 17th 2010;
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Bruchim Habaim – World Mizrachi extends a warm welcome and wishes B'Hatzlacha Raba to Shev Zacks, who recently made aliya and has begun a year of Sherut Leumi with Yavneh Olami.
Refuah Sheleimah – World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita, Mordechai Tzemach Ben Mazal Tov (Former Chief Rabbi of
NEW from Book of the Month
Proudly brought to you by World Mizrachi & Urim Publications:
HALAKHIC MAN, AUTHENTIC JEW: Modern Expressions of Orthodox Thought R. Soloveitchik and R. Berkovits
KEDUSHAT LEVI Torah Commentary by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
