B”H
Dear CIKB and friends,
Greetings and Blessings!
The Holiday of Passover is upon us; in it we celebrate the Exodus from Egypt. With Exodus we became a nation, hence this holiday is central to our belief.
We are commanded to remember the leaving of Egypt every day of our life and to put extra focus on this during the Holiday of Exodus.
A lesson we can learn is found in the name “Egypt”, or “Mitzraim” itself. “Metzar” means “confinement”. Leaving Egypt meant leaving the confinements of slavery and the ideology that it represents. But leaving Egypt today does not mean throwing of the physical chains of bondage and “crossing the Sea of Reeds”.
It means leaving behind all limitation that hold us back from serving G-d and doing the right thing.
One way to leave negative things behind is by running away from it. This is what we did in Egypt of old.
We left so fast, even before the “Matzoth” that we were baking had time to rise. Applying this today would be to ignore our negative traits (our Egypt) and just focus on the good we have, and build upon it.
Another way is to confront our weakness and to change it. To take the evil that is within, and to transform it. That embarrassing past or habit that has held us back becomes our greatest asset and strength, teacher and guide.
In the final redemption when Moshiach will come soon. We will not run but walk into redemption. As it says: “We shall go in calmness”. Through our work and suffering in exile, evil both within and without will cease and be transformed into good. We have nothing to run from or fear any longer.
May G-d help that we celebrate freedom from all our worries and obstacle holding us back this Holiday.
May the tragic events of the past weeks in the Jewish world and in the past year in our Shul be transformed to joy. That G-d protect, watch and only bless us with an abundance of all good things always. Amen
With Blessing for Kosher and Happy Passover and Moshiach’s Coming. May G-d make this happen now!
Sincerely
Y. Winner and family
Showing posts with label holiday message. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday message. Show all posts
Monday, March 26, 2012
Friday, May 20, 2011
Shavuot Message 5771
B”H
Shavuot Message 5771
Dear CIKB and Friends,
The Holiday of Shavuot is upon us. Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah and Mitzvoth to the Jewish people and the world. 613 commandments in all, were given. 613 to the Jews, and 7 of those, to all the nations of the world. 10 of them where heard directly from G-d at Mt Sinai and are commonly called the Ten Commandments.
Our Sages taught us that the Torah existed even before creation and was studied and practiced by early generations on earth, what then is the achievement of Sinai?
The Talmud teaches that, though the Torah existed, it was in the heavens not earth. At Sinai the Torah was given to man on earth. Chassidic philosophy explains, how before Sinai the Torah, even when performed on earth, did not effect change in the physical to make it holy. After Sinai, however our actions on earth now have the power to elevate and transform the world and ourselves to holiness, when done in accord with Torah and Mitzvoth.
If I may, I would like to say by G-d giving the Torah to us as we are on earth, not heaven, He is telling us that each of us have the ability to live a Torah life. We need not be a Tzaddik; a perfect person, like an angel to serve G-d, even if we are a "Regular Jew" , “on the earth” we can and must serve G-d and bring holiness into our lives.
In others words, G-d is asking of us to use our abilities, not His ability or the abilities of others to live a Torah life. But to use our own level, in our “earth;, in our “Me” in serving Him. To bring this point home I wrote a poem:
Being Me
I may not be a Moses, who gave the world the Ten Commandments.
I may not be a Joshua, who made the walls of Jericho fall with a shofar blast.
I do not have the might of Samson, who tore Lions apart with his bare hands.
I do not have the key of rain as Elijah, who made it fall at will.
I am not yet a Rothschild, whose wealth can feed a city.
Neither do I have yet the genius of an Albert Einstein, who thought up the theory of relativity.
No Harry Houdini here, whose great escapes have yet to be explained.
Nor a Bob Dylan, whose songs still entertain.
The greatness of another is not being asked of me, The greatness that is asked of me, is to be
the greatness I can be. Who am I?.... I am me!
On this holiday it is a tradition for all Jews to go to the synagogue and hear the Ten Commandments ,which are read in the synagogue as part of the Holiday services. Please join us for the reading in our synagogue, ( see schedule attached) Let us join again in receiving the Torah this Shavuot with Joy and inwardness that leads to action.
And may we merit the coming of Moshiach soon who will teach us all Torah. Amen!
With blessing that we become all we can be and wishes for a healthy and productive summer.
Yitzchok Winner and Family
Shavuot Message 5771
Dear CIKB and Friends,
The Holiday of Shavuot is upon us. Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah and Mitzvoth to the Jewish people and the world. 613 commandments in all, were given. 613 to the Jews, and 7 of those, to all the nations of the world. 10 of them where heard directly from G-d at Mt Sinai and are commonly called the Ten Commandments.
Our Sages taught us that the Torah existed even before creation and was studied and practiced by early generations on earth, what then is the achievement of Sinai?
The Talmud teaches that, though the Torah existed, it was in the heavens not earth. At Sinai the Torah was given to man on earth. Chassidic philosophy explains, how before Sinai the Torah, even when performed on earth, did not effect change in the physical to make it holy. After Sinai, however our actions on earth now have the power to elevate and transform the world and ourselves to holiness, when done in accord with Torah and Mitzvoth.
If I may, I would like to say by G-d giving the Torah to us as we are on earth, not heaven, He is telling us that each of us have the ability to live a Torah life. We need not be a Tzaddik; a perfect person, like an angel to serve G-d, even if we are a "Regular Jew" , “on the earth” we can and must serve G-d and bring holiness into our lives.
In others words, G-d is asking of us to use our abilities, not His ability or the abilities of others to live a Torah life. But to use our own level, in our “earth;, in our “Me” in serving Him. To bring this point home I wrote a poem:
Being Me
I may not be a Moses, who gave the world the Ten Commandments.
I may not be a Joshua, who made the walls of Jericho fall with a shofar blast.
I do not have the might of Samson, who tore Lions apart with his bare hands.
I do not have the key of rain as Elijah, who made it fall at will.
I am not yet a Rothschild, whose wealth can feed a city.
Neither do I have yet the genius of an Albert Einstein, who thought up the theory of relativity.
No Harry Houdini here, whose great escapes have yet to be explained.
Nor a Bob Dylan, whose songs still entertain.
The greatness of another is not being asked of me, The greatness that is asked of me, is to be
the greatness I can be. Who am I?.... I am me!
On this holiday it is a tradition for all Jews to go to the synagogue and hear the Ten Commandments ,which are read in the synagogue as part of the Holiday services. Please join us for the reading in our synagogue, ( see schedule attached) Let us join again in receiving the Torah this Shavuot with Joy and inwardness that leads to action.
And may we merit the coming of Moshiach soon who will teach us all Torah. Amen!
With blessing that we become all we can be and wishes for a healthy and productive summer.
Yitzchok Winner and Family
Monday, March 28, 2011
Dear Friends,
There is a beautiful custom mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch ( Code of Jewish Law) that one should make a blessing every spring upon a fruit tree, when it first sprouts and begins to blossom for the year. This event coincides with the Jewish month of Nissan, in which we celebrate the Holiday of Pesach, he Holiday of Redemption.
What lesson can we learn from this blessing and its occurrence in the Month of Nissan?
Perhaps we can say that the time of galut-exile, that we now find ourselves in is likened to the winter. As in the winter, it is cold and the days are short. So too in exile we have lost our warmth in the service of Hashem. Our mind too has become darkened by the suffering of our people.
Yet we see that when winter does finally end, the warmth increases and the day light stays longer. So too this long exile and all its suffering will very soon end and the warmth in the service of Hashem will return and forever increase.
As the earth and trees in spring begin to show signs of life even after a dormant winter, so too the Jewish People will once again be renewed. The reason for this is that the earth during the winter is asleep, not dead G-d forbid. the power to grow is still in the earth just not apparent and in the spring it awakens once again.
During exile we are a sleep it seems we are indifferent to Yiddishkiet and at best though we do the laws it seems mechanical, as if we are sleep walking.
However when redemption shall finally occur, our true nature, which is the true nature of every Jew; to love and fear G-d above all else and the desire to practice His Laws will awake. Indeed even in exile though it seems we stopped caring, that is only superficial, the truth is that deep inside our soul-neshoma, was always alive and never stopping caring about G-d.
Hence we make a yearly blessing on the fruit trees new blossom not only to thank G-d for the renewal of nature and the coming of the summer after a cold winter. But to pray to G-d to redeem our people as He has done in the past and express our faith that He shall do so very soon.
The blessing acts as a reinforcement for and expression of our Trust and Faith in G-d, that all His words are true. Though presently it seems the world has lost direction and the words of the prophets seem to be just a dream, the opposite is the truth, the exile is the dream and the redemption is real.
The blessing for the trees during spring and the Holiday of Pesach teach us that as certain as spring follows winter even more so, redemption will and must follow exile. Indeed we are absolutely positive that
G-d will take us out of exile soon. May this be speedily in our times on to all eternity. Amen
With the best of blessing for a Happy and Kosher Pesach for all of Israel.
Sincerely
Y.Winner and Family
Sunday, April 4, 2010
pesach message 5770
PESACH MESSAGE 5770
Dear CIKB and Friends,
The Holiday of Passover is upon us yet the days of the holiday are not to be viewed as memorial of an ancient event that occurred in the past; the glorious and miraculous exodus of our people from slavery by G-d from ancient Egypt towards freedom and acceptance of the divine law. Rather it is meant to reactivate that very same event for us to relive in the present. More so our Sages teach us that not only during the Holiday of Passover is there the power to relive exodus but we can and must experience exodus from Egypt and accepting the responsibility of observance of the Torah and it laws each and every day of our lives.
How do we accomplish this? For even on the very night of the holiday itself....it seems to be an event that happened years ago and all we have left today are the rituals and discussions of lessons to be learnt but not an actual exodus from Egypt. To answer this let us look at the beginning of each and every day when we awake and still lay in bed.
The moment we open our eyes before even washing our hands and descend from bed we say:
“I thank you G-d, King who is everlasting who returned my soul to me with compassion; great is your faithfulness” .
A bit later in the synagogue when we begin the morning prayers, we say in the morning blessing;
"Blessed are you G-d who is King of the world who is “matter asurim” releases those who are bound".
When we sleep we are like bound, hands and feet unable to move, when g-d returns our soul and we open our eyes and realize we are alive again, we thank g-d and bless Him for releasing us from the confinement of sleep. Exile is compared to sleep and waking up is similar to exodus and redemption. During sleep though we are alive and all our facilities are in operation their full powers are hidden. The mind too, is not in our control and all sorts of irrational fears and ideas take over. The idea of awakening is not only physically getting up and leaving the binds of sleep but awakening and reaching your full potential.
Upon waking up every morning from sleep, we experience a personal exodus. But it is not only from the sleep of the body but of the soul and mind set as well that we must awake. The idea of exodus is to leave behind all of our preconceived notions, emotions, fixed actions and hard to die habits that limit us from being able to reach our true potential and self. Though we indeed are all good and do much good deeds however looking back in life, how many of us can truly say we have grown over the years? That we have lived our life to its fullest potential. What is holding us back? Do we still have that old chip on our shoulder; still blaming others and taking no responsibility for our own actions? Why can we not forgive; not G-d nor our fellow Man? Are we still children who have not yet left our mother’s womb? Did not G-d give us freedom to choose?
On the Holiday of Pesach and especially during the Seder we are empowered for the year to be able to “Pesach”; leap over and above, all that which holds us back! To become a better person, better Jew and better you. More specifically to study more Torah, pray with better concentration and devotion, to do more acts of kindness and love for another Jew. Over all to become that which G-d really desires of us and to do so with joy!
To conclude our sages say: on the month of Nissan we were redeemed and on the month of Nissan we will be redeemed again”. Amen
with best wishes for a happy, kosher and sweet Pesach
y winner and family
Dear CIKB and Friends,
The Holiday of Passover is upon us yet the days of the holiday are not to be viewed as memorial of an ancient event that occurred in the past; the glorious and miraculous exodus of our people from slavery by G-d from ancient Egypt towards freedom and acceptance of the divine law. Rather it is meant to reactivate that very same event for us to relive in the present. More so our Sages teach us that not only during the Holiday of Passover is there the power to relive exodus but we can and must experience exodus from Egypt and accepting the responsibility of observance of the Torah and it laws each and every day of our lives.
How do we accomplish this? For even on the very night of the holiday itself....it seems to be an event that happened years ago and all we have left today are the rituals and discussions of lessons to be learnt but not an actual exodus from Egypt. To answer this let us look at the beginning of each and every day when we awake and still lay in bed.
The moment we open our eyes before even washing our hands and descend from bed we say:
“I thank you G-d, King who is everlasting who returned my soul to me with compassion; great is your faithfulness” .
A bit later in the synagogue when we begin the morning prayers, we say in the morning blessing;
"Blessed are you G-d who is King of the world who is “matter asurim” releases those who are bound".
When we sleep we are like bound, hands and feet unable to move, when g-d returns our soul and we open our eyes and realize we are alive again, we thank g-d and bless Him for releasing us from the confinement of sleep. Exile is compared to sleep and waking up is similar to exodus and redemption. During sleep though we are alive and all our facilities are in operation their full powers are hidden. The mind too, is not in our control and all sorts of irrational fears and ideas take over. The idea of awakening is not only physically getting up and leaving the binds of sleep but awakening and reaching your full potential.
Upon waking up every morning from sleep, we experience a personal exodus. But it is not only from the sleep of the body but of the soul and mind set as well that we must awake. The idea of exodus is to leave behind all of our preconceived notions, emotions, fixed actions and hard to die habits that limit us from being able to reach our true potential and self. Though we indeed are all good and do much good deeds however looking back in life, how many of us can truly say we have grown over the years? That we have lived our life to its fullest potential. What is holding us back? Do we still have that old chip on our shoulder; still blaming others and taking no responsibility for our own actions? Why can we not forgive; not G-d nor our fellow Man? Are we still children who have not yet left our mother’s womb? Did not G-d give us freedom to choose?
On the Holiday of Pesach and especially during the Seder we are empowered for the year to be able to “Pesach”; leap over and above, all that which holds us back! To become a better person, better Jew and better you. More specifically to study more Torah, pray with better concentration and devotion, to do more acts of kindness and love for another Jew. Over all to become that which G-d really desires of us and to do so with joy!
To conclude our sages say: on the month of Nissan we were redeemed and on the month of Nissan we will be redeemed again”. Amen
with best wishes for a happy, kosher and sweet Pesach
y winner and family
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
New Year Message 5770
New Year Message 5770 B”H
Dear CIKB and Friends Shyichyu
Rosh Ha' Shana this year begins on a Shabbat and is the 5770th Rosh Hashanah from creation. The Bal Shem Tov taught that we must take from all things that we see and hear a lesson in the service of Hashem.
The Midrash says "kol hashvean chavivon- all seven are beloved". We see: 1-G-d created the world in seven days; in the first six, creation itself and on the seventh He rested and created Shabbat. 2- Moses was the seventh from Abraham our forefather and was chosen to give the Torah to the Jewish people. Because "all who are seven are beloved". The concept of being beloved because you are seven is not based on self merit or personal worth but by being the seventh. In our new year the number seven appears multiples times. In the count of the week and in the number of the year there is an extra emphasis on the number seven this year.
What can we lean from this? All created existence has in it three categories that intertwine. a) Olam- literal translated: world; the place. b) Shana-literal translated: year; the passage of time.c) Nefesh-literal translated: soul; life. All existence exists in a frame of Olam, Shana, Nefesh-place, time and life. When a new year comes each year it is not only an event that occurs in time indicating the age of the world but is an event in life indicating how much we have lived on earth. The New Year is not just another calendar day but an event that involves the scope of all existences! The measure by which we begin a new year and indeed every day in time. Is by calculating how we have lived the past year and the steps we took to progress and grow towards our goal. For a human being; whom g-d created with intellect his purpose is to utilize his intellect to identify right and wrong and choose correctly between them. For the Jew in addition to intellect, there must be holiness which is exclusively achieved through the study and practice of Torah and Mitzvoth.
The New Year that begins represents a new future with new opportunities yet it is not detached from the years that preceded it. (5770 follows 5769). As we need to make use of the new opportunities that present itself in the new year we must complete the goals not yet reached of year’s and generations gone by. Even if one should argue correctly that our later generation is on a lower spiritual level then generations before us yet the earlier generations depend on us to complete what they have begun. More so our generation has a unique quality. We have the wisdom that comes with history of being a nation in existence for more then three thousand years, thank g-d! This knowledge taught us that we are a nation alone, divine miracles are our nature and unity is essential to our very existence as a people. Earlier generations great in torah, intensity of prayer and charity envy our good deeds having been done with unity and self sacrifice in these spiritual dark times.
The unique task of our unique generation is emphasized this year due to the number seven found multiple times in its date. It teaches how even though Moses lived in generations after Abraham and was greater then Moses for he is the first Jew and first Patriarch still Moses was chosen to lead the Jews out of Egypt not Abraham. He also was chosen to be the greatest prophet of all time who gave G-d's Torah to the Jewish people. Our generation must learn from this to acknowledge that it is not due to our personal merit we have been chosen to live in these times. Yet our purpose is to act in ways that bring into fruition the faith that burns eternal in the hearts of Jewish people in all ages, both the darkest period’s r’l as well as peaceful times of our history. The faith in being finally redeemed from all exiles, returning to our homeland, rebuilding the temple to practice Judaism to the fullest extent and bring G-d to the entire world.
Every good act we do adds more weight to the balance of good on the scale that g-d judges with it the world. It brings greater merit to us, our families, and the Jewish people, all of man kind, the world and universe for a quicker fulfillment of G-d’s plan for creation and in the New Year a favorable judgment to be written signed and sealed into the book of the righteous for a sweet good new year with kindness and compassion for all. Amen
With blessing for a chasiva v’chasima tova shano tova umasuka bkol ubchesed v’rachamim
y.w.
Parenthetically: One of my Rosh Ha’Yeshiva who had a way with words used to say when he saw us wasting time; “In America we say killing time but really it’s not killing time, its suicide! Time not utilized properly harms life itself, not only time. Time is a living entity whose soul is the very meaning and effort we put into it. Time without growth is like a time that never lived, like dead time g-d forbid.
May G-d help that our new year be a one full with blessing, success health and good utilized time.
Dear CIKB and Friends Shyichyu
Rosh Ha' Shana this year begins on a Shabbat and is the 5770th Rosh Hashanah from creation. The Bal Shem Tov taught that we must take from all things that we see and hear a lesson in the service of Hashem.
The Midrash says "kol hashvean chavivon- all seven are beloved". We see: 1-G-d created the world in seven days; in the first six, creation itself and on the seventh He rested and created Shabbat. 2- Moses was the seventh from Abraham our forefather and was chosen to give the Torah to the Jewish people. Because "all who are seven are beloved". The concept of being beloved because you are seven is not based on self merit or personal worth but by being the seventh. In our new year the number seven appears multiples times. In the count of the week and in the number of the year there is an extra emphasis on the number seven this year.
What can we lean from this? All created existence has in it three categories that intertwine. a) Olam- literal translated: world; the place. b) Shana-literal translated: year; the passage of time.c) Nefesh-literal translated: soul; life. All existence exists in a frame of Olam, Shana, Nefesh-place, time and life. When a new year comes each year it is not only an event that occurs in time indicating the age of the world but is an event in life indicating how much we have lived on earth. The New Year is not just another calendar day but an event that involves the scope of all existences! The measure by which we begin a new year and indeed every day in time. Is by calculating how we have lived the past year and the steps we took to progress and grow towards our goal. For a human being; whom g-d created with intellect his purpose is to utilize his intellect to identify right and wrong and choose correctly between them. For the Jew in addition to intellect, there must be holiness which is exclusively achieved through the study and practice of Torah and Mitzvoth.
The New Year that begins represents a new future with new opportunities yet it is not detached from the years that preceded it. (5770 follows 5769). As we need to make use of the new opportunities that present itself in the new year we must complete the goals not yet reached of year’s and generations gone by. Even if one should argue correctly that our later generation is on a lower spiritual level then generations before us yet the earlier generations depend on us to complete what they have begun. More so our generation has a unique quality. We have the wisdom that comes with history of being a nation in existence for more then three thousand years, thank g-d! This knowledge taught us that we are a nation alone, divine miracles are our nature and unity is essential to our very existence as a people. Earlier generations great in torah, intensity of prayer and charity envy our good deeds having been done with unity and self sacrifice in these spiritual dark times.
The unique task of our unique generation is emphasized this year due to the number seven found multiple times in its date. It teaches how even though Moses lived in generations after Abraham and was greater then Moses for he is the first Jew and first Patriarch still Moses was chosen to lead the Jews out of Egypt not Abraham. He also was chosen to be the greatest prophet of all time who gave G-d's Torah to the Jewish people. Our generation must learn from this to acknowledge that it is not due to our personal merit we have been chosen to live in these times. Yet our purpose is to act in ways that bring into fruition the faith that burns eternal in the hearts of Jewish people in all ages, both the darkest period’s r’l as well as peaceful times of our history. The faith in being finally redeemed from all exiles, returning to our homeland, rebuilding the temple to practice Judaism to the fullest extent and bring G-d to the entire world.
Every good act we do adds more weight to the balance of good on the scale that g-d judges with it the world. It brings greater merit to us, our families, and the Jewish people, all of man kind, the world and universe for a quicker fulfillment of G-d’s plan for creation and in the New Year a favorable judgment to be written signed and sealed into the book of the righteous for a sweet good new year with kindness and compassion for all. Amen
With blessing for a chasiva v’chasima tova shano tova umasuka bkol ubchesed v’rachamim
y.w.
Parenthetically: One of my Rosh Ha’Yeshiva who had a way with words used to say when he saw us wasting time; “In America we say killing time but really it’s not killing time, its suicide! Time not utilized properly harms life itself, not only time. Time is a living entity whose soul is the very meaning and effort we put into it. Time without growth is like a time that never lived, like dead time g-d forbid.
May G-d help that our new year be a one full with blessing, success health and good utilized time.
Monday, May 11, 2009
shavout message 5769
B"H
Dear CIKB and Friends Shlita
The Holiday of Shavout that follows the Holiday of Passover is connected to each other in numerous ways. Shavout is calculated by counting the 49 days of Omer between them; the 50th day becoming Shavout. The very reason for Exodus from Egypt was to journey to Sinai and receive G-d's law and become free to serve G-d and practice His Torah. Another idea of the connection between them is the shared focus and importance of children. In the last Passover message it was pointed out how the Passover Seder is set up to encourage children, at what ever level they are to ask questions; hence the Ma Nishtana.
Regarding Shavout children too play an integral part of the Holiday.Our Rabbis tells us that when G-d gave us the Torah, He asked for guarantors. The Jewish People offered many, including the Elders, the Sages, etc all where not acceptable to G-d. Only the yiddishe kinderlach - Jewish children did He accept as garuntors for His Torah. Only when the earlier generations focus on teaching the next generation; the children, can we be certain that the Torah as our inheritance will endure.
When I learned in yeshiva, a while back, in Brooklyn we had European Rebbe's from the "Alta - Hiem" teachers that though they did not know the latest technique in teaching where in and of themselves an example of Yiddish living and life, to emulate. We where American kids - Yaankees...- with "bubble gum" - "baseball cards" and ball playing.. our Rebbe's never heard of this stuff. Today with much more technology and a highly stimulative world more effort is needed to get children's attention to learn. Todays Rebbe's, though they speak the same language come from the same country, received chinuch training and seminars yet the atmosphere we live in today is not the same, it is more materialistic and free.
May G-d bless the Rebbe's with success to instill the love and practice of Torah in them and to the parents who are their "Elders" who must make every effort to guarantee the children continue the chain of Torah begun at Sinai. And that we merit much yiddish nachas from all the yiddish kinderlich within joy and abundance.
with blessing for a healthy and productive summer spiritual and physical to all.
and to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.amen
Rabbi Y. Winner
p.s.I would like to include a poem i wrote directed to children who claim.. "learning is boring".... (all kids think their teachers-parents-adults are all boring).
Bored
What does the word mean? I'm bored"- it's something i hear kids say when they want ice cream.
Bored:-is it an actual event?or just a state of mind when one wishes to be entertained?
Bored-who created the word? surely g-d did not.... for only man would create a word to describe his choice of doing nothing and say all is done.
How can one be bored? How can one find that there is nothing else to be done?
Have they read all the books or written up all the songs? Played every game, touched every heart. Fixed all that is broken, spoken every word?
Ask yourself: have you done all that which was meant for you to do?
Until you can say yes! ...to that eternal question of "have i done all"..
do not say the word "bored" .... forever more.
Dear CIKB and Friends Shlita
The Holiday of Shavout that follows the Holiday of Passover is connected to each other in numerous ways. Shavout is calculated by counting the 49 days of Omer between them; the 50th day becoming Shavout. The very reason for Exodus from Egypt was to journey to Sinai and receive G-d's law and become free to serve G-d and practice His Torah. Another idea of the connection between them is the shared focus and importance of children. In the last Passover message it was pointed out how the Passover Seder is set up to encourage children, at what ever level they are to ask questions; hence the Ma Nishtana.
Regarding Shavout children too play an integral part of the Holiday.Our Rabbis tells us that when G-d gave us the Torah, He asked for guarantors. The Jewish People offered many, including the Elders, the Sages, etc all where not acceptable to G-d. Only the yiddishe kinderlach - Jewish children did He accept as garuntors for His Torah. Only when the earlier generations focus on teaching the next generation; the children, can we be certain that the Torah as our inheritance will endure.
When I learned in yeshiva, a while back, in Brooklyn we had European Rebbe's from the "Alta - Hiem" teachers that though they did not know the latest technique in teaching where in and of themselves an example of Yiddish living and life, to emulate. We where American kids - Yaankees...- with "bubble gum" - "baseball cards" and ball playing.. our Rebbe's never heard of this stuff. Today with much more technology and a highly stimulative world more effort is needed to get children's attention to learn. Todays Rebbe's, though they speak the same language come from the same country, received chinuch training and seminars yet the atmosphere we live in today is not the same, it is more materialistic and free.
May G-d bless the Rebbe's with success to instill the love and practice of Torah in them and to the parents who are their "Elders" who must make every effort to guarantee the children continue the chain of Torah begun at Sinai. And that we merit much yiddish nachas from all the yiddish kinderlich within joy and abundance.
with blessing for a healthy and productive summer spiritual and physical to all.
and to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.amen
Rabbi Y. Winner
p.s.I would like to include a poem i wrote directed to children who claim.. "learning is boring".... (all kids think their teachers-parents-adults are all boring).
Bored
What does the word mean? I'm bored"- it's something i hear kids say when they want ice cream.
Bored:-is it an actual event?or just a state of mind when one wishes to be entertained?
Bored-who created the word? surely g-d did not.... for only man would create a word to describe his choice of doing nothing and say all is done.
How can one be bored? How can one find that there is nothing else to be done?
Have they read all the books or written up all the songs? Played every game, touched every heart. Fixed all that is broken, spoken every word?
Ask yourself: have you done all that which was meant for you to do?
Until you can say yes! ...to that eternal question of "have i done all"..
do not say the word "bored" .... forever more.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
pesach message 5769
Dear Friends
As the Holiday of Pesach approaches we look to the Torah to see its eternal message and inspiration for our times as well as its lesson for all eternity. One of the key aspects of Pesach is the "Haggada" read at the Seder Night. The word "Haggada" means "to tell" it is referring to the obligation to tell over the story of leaving Egypt during the Seder in general and in particular to children.One might ask; how do you get a child that has no interest in listening to hear the story you are obligated to tell? The answer to this question is hinted in the process of the Haggada itself. First we begin with ”Ma Nishtana" a question and answer technique. Then we address each of the "Four Sons" in a different way, each according to the level and intellectual ability they have. We learn what the Torah tells us "Chanoch L'nar Al Pe Darko" - "Educate the Child according to his Way", is real and must be practiced. More so, not only when educating a child but in other areas of Jewish practice as well. A "cookie cutter" approach does not work. Though "Halacha-Jewish Law" is binding and applies equally to all the proper way to pique the interest of a child or to get an adult to practice the law with warmth involves a more individual approach. In practice we find this as well with regard to the "Mitzvah of Rejoicing in the Holiday ". There the Rambam writes that each person must rejoice by acquiring that which makes them happy; for the adult male-meat and wine, for the female of the home-nice clothing, for the children-sweets. Each must be given that which appeals to them to rejoice them and make them happy. Specifically in our times of confusion where people mistake light for darkness good for evil. When forces of all sorts are working hard on influencing children, their identity, future and values. Children must be given clear guidance of right and wrong however a gentle hand approach which recognizes their individuality will work better to inspire them then a heavy hand and generalities which can cause them to g-d forbid loss all interest. Most important of all, is the need to let our children know we love them with an infinite love above and beyond all things on earth. With this point in mind I conclude with a poem and blessing for much Yiddisher Nachas from our selves our children and a Happy and Kosher Pesach to all. May we be redeemed from exile this month of Nissan. Amen
Y. W.
A Child’s Joy…A child’s joy …Is not from of a toy…His heart does not skip a beat … in anticipation of good times to come.A child’s laugh….Is not only from a joke well told or a tickle under the chin.A child’s smile ….Is not only from a kind word said or tears washed away by a kiss upon the head.What makes him trust you to share a whispered secret with you or his childish woe’s without fear of rebuke?What will inspire him to follow you as an example of goodness that teaches him right from wrong?Show him unconditional love…Then his smile will stand eternal…It will illuminate his face with happiness…His feet will dance with joy…He will hold his head high with confidence…and follow your every word.The child knowing that you acknowledge him to be a most special cherished gift from G-d that he indeed truly is will live with an inner peace knowing that he is loved and special in G-d’s eyes and the world and that you as an adult- and his parent love him and know it too…and treat him so.
As the Holiday of Pesach approaches we look to the Torah to see its eternal message and inspiration for our times as well as its lesson for all eternity. One of the key aspects of Pesach is the "Haggada" read at the Seder Night. The word "Haggada" means "to tell" it is referring to the obligation to tell over the story of leaving Egypt during the Seder in general and in particular to children.One might ask; how do you get a child that has no interest in listening to hear the story you are obligated to tell? The answer to this question is hinted in the process of the Haggada itself. First we begin with ”Ma Nishtana" a question and answer technique. Then we address each of the "Four Sons" in a different way, each according to the level and intellectual ability they have. We learn what the Torah tells us "Chanoch L'nar Al Pe Darko" - "Educate the Child according to his Way", is real and must be practiced. More so, not only when educating a child but in other areas of Jewish practice as well. A "cookie cutter" approach does not work. Though "Halacha-Jewish Law" is binding and applies equally to all the proper way to pique the interest of a child or to get an adult to practice the law with warmth involves a more individual approach. In practice we find this as well with regard to the "Mitzvah of Rejoicing in the Holiday ". There the Rambam writes that each person must rejoice by acquiring that which makes them happy; for the adult male-meat and wine, for the female of the home-nice clothing, for the children-sweets. Each must be given that which appeals to them to rejoice them and make them happy. Specifically in our times of confusion where people mistake light for darkness good for evil. When forces of all sorts are working hard on influencing children, their identity, future and values. Children must be given clear guidance of right and wrong however a gentle hand approach which recognizes their individuality will work better to inspire them then a heavy hand and generalities which can cause them to g-d forbid loss all interest. Most important of all, is the need to let our children know we love them with an infinite love above and beyond all things on earth. With this point in mind I conclude with a poem and blessing for much Yiddisher Nachas from our selves our children and a Happy and Kosher Pesach to all. May we be redeemed from exile this month of Nissan. Amen
Y. W.
A Child’s Joy…A child’s joy …Is not from of a toy…His heart does not skip a beat … in anticipation of good times to come.A child’s laugh….Is not only from a joke well told or a tickle under the chin.A child’s smile ….Is not only from a kind word said or tears washed away by a kiss upon the head.What makes him trust you to share a whispered secret with you or his childish woe’s without fear of rebuke?What will inspire him to follow you as an example of goodness that teaches him right from wrong?Show him unconditional love…Then his smile will stand eternal…It will illuminate his face with happiness…His feet will dance with joy…He will hold his head high with confidence…and follow your every word.The child knowing that you acknowledge him to be a most special cherished gift from G-d that he indeed truly is will live with an inner peace knowing that he is loved and special in G-d’s eyes and the world and that you as an adult- and his parent love him and know it too…and treat him so.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
rosh hashana 5766
Rosh Hashanah 5766
A year for personal redemption
As we approach the New Year, a need for self-reflection and preparation becomes imperative. Not only to reflect upon the magnitude of the great and awesome day as it approaches, but as well to become a proper receptacle to receive all that "Rosh Hashanah" the head of the year has to offer. It is thus upon us to reflect upon the events of the pass year and see what lessons for self-improvement can be taken from it. Looking back to the events of this past year we saw terrible images of destruction with hurricanes both abroad and here in the states. Nature disasters, which we as Jews believe are direct, acts of g-d. We too witnessed acts of violence between men by men in the ongoing wars, battles and political struggles through out the world, which too are all part of divine providence. However to us Jews the most heart breaking images of all, where of Jews forcible removing Jews from their homes in order to appease world opinion and to make peace with Arabs. Worse even than that, is the fact that this act alone has strengthened the hand of terrorist around the world and weakened the safety and security of Eretz Yisroel our Holy Land.
When looking to improve the world our rabbis tell us "Keshot Atzmocha V'achar Kach KeShot Acherim"- "correct yourself first and then correct another". It is told in the name of Rabbi Menechem Mendel of Kotzk who said; "when I was young I wished to changed the world, when I got older, I said I will change my "shtettal" village where I live, then I thought let me at least change my family, however in the end I said to myself "halevai" if only I could even change myself".
At first this story told over in the name of a tzaddik seems to be one of self-defeat; first he believed he would conquer the world and in the end he gave up even upon himself. Upon deeper reflection, we can possible explain the words of Reb Mendel of Kotzk, that he indeed reached the true meaning of our sages who said "correct your self first" for by correcting yourself, you correct the whole world as well. As the Talmud teaches us "Olam kotton zeh Ha'adam"- "A small world this is man".
Because Man is a microcosm of all creation. All that is in creation and in the universe in a large and grand scale is also found in man in a minute and small scale. Man too mirrors and reflects the nature of the world, as man behaves or misbehaves the world changes and responds in kind.
It is written " Gam Ha'olam Nossan B'lebo Shel Adam"- G-d has put the world in Man's heart. The state of the world depends on the behavior of man. Each and every act that man does effects the direction of the world. This is echoed by the Rambam's teaching "Ha'Olam Shakol" the world must be constantly viewed as a scale that is equally balanced between good and evil. Hence man must view himself at each and every moment in time, as he is about to act, as if this personal individual act will tip the scale in either direction for good or the opposite, directly affecting the judgment of the world.
Possible this is what the Kotzker was trying to teach us i.e. that in order change creation we must first change ourselves for the better. We must not think that the only way to change the world is by going out into it but also when we change ourselves inside we change the world as well. By making even small changes for the better in our own behavior we too have changed the world for the better as well.
We do this in two ways first because we are part of the larger creation, when a small part of creation changes for the better, the whole world at large is part of this change as well. Yet even more so because g-d has put the world in man's heart he has the ability to affect the world not only as a small part of it but as its very heart and soul. As we are taught. " Ner Hashem Neshamas Adam"-Man is the light and candle of G-d; he is the Neshama-soul of the world. Internal changes of man for the better, is a soul-full and spiritual change for the entire world.
This idea of man being the catalyst of change for all creation must affect us through out the year but in particularly on Rosh Hashanah. In the simplest sense the high holy day being the day of judgment for all creation and one of the ways we illicit a good and sweet year from g-d for ourselves is tifilla-prayer, we must as well too include in our prayers not only our needs but the needs of all creation. Also on a practical level this past year has taught us well of the power of evil man can and does inflict on man, certainly the power of good that man can do for man is even greater.
In conclusion as each and every one of us stands before G-d on Rosh Hashanah with a list of what we want G-d to grant us this year, we must ask for the world as well. Besides our own list we must make a list of the needs of the Jewish people and the world. As in our personal list for some of us the list is long for others it is short. For some the lists seems to contain the same request as last year for others the list seems to have shortened or become longer for positive or G-d forbid negative reasons. The list of the world too seems to have some of the same needs as last year and yet some new needs or old ones have now taken on a greater urgency then ever before i.e. peace and prayers for geula-redemption.
The world of our parents had hoped to create for us is not yet here. Their hopes and dreams for a better future for their children and grandchildren is not as clear as it was thought to be. Terrorism, instability in Eretz Yisroel and the vices and temptations of the modern era that tear at our family structure and Jewish education make the need for G-d's help more needed then ever before. It is also time we must recognize that the future of the world on a global scale and the future of our personal live and families are intertwined with each other. Our lives cannot be at true peace and complete satisfaction if the rest of the Jewish world and the entire world are in turmoil and disarray or even if another single Jew is in need.
Please this year as you pray for yourself and your families pray for the land of Israel and for the entire world. Please remember that one act done in the privacy of your home is more then an individual's action but a public act that can change the world. If this act is a good deed it can change the world to good achieving from a G-d a good and sweet year for yourselves and all of creation and even usher in the redemption. May it be g-d's will that we merit that the year 5765 be the final year of exile and the year 5766 be the first year of redemption speedily in our times. Amen
A year for personal redemption
As we approach the New Year, a need for self-reflection and preparation becomes imperative. Not only to reflect upon the magnitude of the great and awesome day as it approaches, but as well to become a proper receptacle to receive all that "Rosh Hashanah" the head of the year has to offer. It is thus upon us to reflect upon the events of the pass year and see what lessons for self-improvement can be taken from it. Looking back to the events of this past year we saw terrible images of destruction with hurricanes both abroad and here in the states. Nature disasters, which we as Jews believe are direct, acts of g-d. We too witnessed acts of violence between men by men in the ongoing wars, battles and political struggles through out the world, which too are all part of divine providence. However to us Jews the most heart breaking images of all, where of Jews forcible removing Jews from their homes in order to appease world opinion and to make peace with Arabs. Worse even than that, is the fact that this act alone has strengthened the hand of terrorist around the world and weakened the safety and security of Eretz Yisroel our Holy Land.
When looking to improve the world our rabbis tell us "Keshot Atzmocha V'achar Kach KeShot Acherim"- "correct yourself first and then correct another". It is told in the name of Rabbi Menechem Mendel of Kotzk who said; "when I was young I wished to changed the world, when I got older, I said I will change my "shtettal" village where I live, then I thought let me at least change my family, however in the end I said to myself "halevai" if only I could even change myself".
At first this story told over in the name of a tzaddik seems to be one of self-defeat; first he believed he would conquer the world and in the end he gave up even upon himself. Upon deeper reflection, we can possible explain the words of Reb Mendel of Kotzk, that he indeed reached the true meaning of our sages who said "correct your self first" for by correcting yourself, you correct the whole world as well. As the Talmud teaches us "Olam kotton zeh Ha'adam"- "A small world this is man".
Because Man is a microcosm of all creation. All that is in creation and in the universe in a large and grand scale is also found in man in a minute and small scale. Man too mirrors and reflects the nature of the world, as man behaves or misbehaves the world changes and responds in kind.
It is written " Gam Ha'olam Nossan B'lebo Shel Adam"- G-d has put the world in Man's heart. The state of the world depends on the behavior of man. Each and every act that man does effects the direction of the world. This is echoed by the Rambam's teaching "Ha'Olam Shakol" the world must be constantly viewed as a scale that is equally balanced between good and evil. Hence man must view himself at each and every moment in time, as he is about to act, as if this personal individual act will tip the scale in either direction for good or the opposite, directly affecting the judgment of the world.
Possible this is what the Kotzker was trying to teach us i.e. that in order change creation we must first change ourselves for the better. We must not think that the only way to change the world is by going out into it but also when we change ourselves inside we change the world as well. By making even small changes for the better in our own behavior we too have changed the world for the better as well.
We do this in two ways first because we are part of the larger creation, when a small part of creation changes for the better, the whole world at large is part of this change as well. Yet even more so because g-d has put the world in man's heart he has the ability to affect the world not only as a small part of it but as its very heart and soul. As we are taught. " Ner Hashem Neshamas Adam"-Man is the light and candle of G-d; he is the Neshama-soul of the world. Internal changes of man for the better, is a soul-full and spiritual change for the entire world.
This idea of man being the catalyst of change for all creation must affect us through out the year but in particularly on Rosh Hashanah. In the simplest sense the high holy day being the day of judgment for all creation and one of the ways we illicit a good and sweet year from g-d for ourselves is tifilla-prayer, we must as well too include in our prayers not only our needs but the needs of all creation. Also on a practical level this past year has taught us well of the power of evil man can and does inflict on man, certainly the power of good that man can do for man is even greater.
In conclusion as each and every one of us stands before G-d on Rosh Hashanah with a list of what we want G-d to grant us this year, we must ask for the world as well. Besides our own list we must make a list of the needs of the Jewish people and the world. As in our personal list for some of us the list is long for others it is short. For some the lists seems to contain the same request as last year for others the list seems to have shortened or become longer for positive or G-d forbid negative reasons. The list of the world too seems to have some of the same needs as last year and yet some new needs or old ones have now taken on a greater urgency then ever before i.e. peace and prayers for geula-redemption.
The world of our parents had hoped to create for us is not yet here. Their hopes and dreams for a better future for their children and grandchildren is not as clear as it was thought to be. Terrorism, instability in Eretz Yisroel and the vices and temptations of the modern era that tear at our family structure and Jewish education make the need for G-d's help more needed then ever before. It is also time we must recognize that the future of the world on a global scale and the future of our personal live and families are intertwined with each other. Our lives cannot be at true peace and complete satisfaction if the rest of the Jewish world and the entire world are in turmoil and disarray or even if another single Jew is in need.
Please this year as you pray for yourself and your families pray for the land of Israel and for the entire world. Please remember that one act done in the privacy of your home is more then an individual's action but a public act that can change the world. If this act is a good deed it can change the world to good achieving from a G-d a good and sweet year for yourselves and all of creation and even usher in the redemption. May it be g-d's will that we merit that the year 5765 be the final year of exile and the year 5766 be the first year of redemption speedily in our times. Amen
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Rosh Hashono Sermon (5769)
the sound of the shofar is a call to find your inner voice.
when verbal words are said is not the sounds of the mouth we hear but the message it contains.
when we speak breath emits from our lungs and with it the emotions that are hung in its air.
at times it is a sigh in the breath of the word said that we hear. or maybe it is really a sigh of relief being said. pay attention to the inner voice of what is being said. the words limit while the tone is more true. even better notice the breath that caries the words that are being said for the life of the words are the breath that carry them.
the soul of the message is the emotion being expressed.
On Rosh Hashana we not only listen to the shofar as another blows a ram horn but must find our inner voice in its wail.
The shofar begins narrow in it mouth but broadens out where the sound emits. This teaches us the meaning of the verses said before the blowing of the shofar proclaimed in the great hallel ; "Min hamtzer karasi Ka- anani v'marchav Ka"- "From out of my distress i called to G-d; with abounding relief G-d answered me". The shofar teaches us how to find our inner voice and express it. in the heart of every Jew is the desire to fulfill g-d's will alone. The path towards finding this voice begins at times with distress, however once we call upon g-d which we must He answers us in broadness and relief.
On Rosh hashana we are commanded to hear the Shofar it is not only about hearing the psychical sound and wail of a rams horn. to consider it such is like giving charity to the poor with out a smile or good word.
it would be like saying the words of the prayers from the text of a prayer book without intent to the words being said even worse ; like praying but really listening to the conversation of the person beside you. your head is all over but in the prayer book!
all body no soul all talk no action, the high holy days are about finding your true self and it begins by hearing the inner meaning of the shofar, which it to arouse in you your inner voice and to pay heed well unto what is says. shema yisroel hashem elokainu hashem echad-the lord is our g-d the lord is one-ein od melvado-there is no other beside Him! Wishing all & every one a chasima v'chasima tova shana tova umisukah Amen
when verbal words are said is not the sounds of the mouth we hear but the message it contains.
when we speak breath emits from our lungs and with it the emotions that are hung in its air.
at times it is a sigh in the breath of the word said that we hear. or maybe it is really a sigh of relief being said. pay attention to the inner voice of what is being said. the words limit while the tone is more true. even better notice the breath that caries the words that are being said for the life of the words are the breath that carry them.
the soul of the message is the emotion being expressed.
On Rosh Hashana we not only listen to the shofar as another blows a ram horn but must find our inner voice in its wail.
The shofar begins narrow in it mouth but broadens out where the sound emits. This teaches us the meaning of the verses said before the blowing of the shofar proclaimed in the great hallel ; "Min hamtzer karasi Ka- anani v'marchav Ka"- "From out of my distress i called to G-d; with abounding relief G-d answered me". The shofar teaches us how to find our inner voice and express it. in the heart of every Jew is the desire to fulfill g-d's will alone. The path towards finding this voice begins at times with distress, however once we call upon g-d which we must He answers us in broadness and relief.
On Rosh hashana we are commanded to hear the Shofar it is not only about hearing the psychical sound and wail of a rams horn. to consider it such is like giving charity to the poor with out a smile or good word.
it would be like saying the words of the prayers from the text of a prayer book without intent to the words being said even worse ; like praying but really listening to the conversation of the person beside you. your head is all over but in the prayer book!
all body no soul all talk no action, the high holy days are about finding your true self and it begins by hearing the inner meaning of the shofar, which it to arouse in you your inner voice and to pay heed well unto what is says. shema yisroel hashem elokainu hashem echad-the lord is our g-d the lord is one-ein od melvado-there is no other beside Him! Wishing all & every one a chasima v'chasima tova shana tova umisukah Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)