Individual Judgement: Three Perspectives

We are judged on Rosh Hashana as a shepherd inspects his sheep, who inspects and counts his sheep for various reasons. He wants to see if they are all present. Perhaps some have run away or died. Similarly, Hashem reviews and judges us to see if we are still part of his flock. Have we abandoned Him and His Torah – if not totally then perhaps partially? How solid is our belief and faith? How strong is our belief and commitment to G-d and His Torah? The shepherd also wants to see if the sheep are healthy or sick, whole or blemished. Similarly, Hashem judges if we are fulfilling His mitzvos and perfecting our middos (character traits), or are we spiritually sickly and blemished. Finally, the shepherd wants to check if each sheep bears his brand and is identifiable as belonging to him. Similarly, G-d created the world to be populated with human beings who bear His brand and therefore testify to the existence of their Shepherd. Every human being is individually scrutinized as to how manifest and visible this brand is in their life – how well one has represented G-d’s image. The Jews are referred to as holy sheep, who represent not only G-d’s existence but His holiness. We bear a special brand that must bring honor and glory to the shepherd because we are His elite flock. Each Jew is judged on how his conduct from the past year reflects holiness and Godliness as a member of the kingdom of priests and the holy nation.

A second facet of our judgement is that Hashem evaluates the progress that we have made in the past year compared to our level in the previous year. Even if we have been faithful representatives of G-d in the previous year, this is not enough. A Jew must constantly seek higher and higher levels of perfection. He must be dynamic and not stagnant. If our status in the past year has not shown growth and improvement we will be found lacking no matter how lofty our status is.

However, even if we have progressed and grown in an exemplary fashion and truly represented the divine image, there is yet one last aspect that is considered: Are we fulfilling our unique mission in life? Every Jew is blessed with abilities and talents that are divinely provided to him so that he can make his unique contribution to the world.

(There is also a collective judgement – how we functioned in the communal structure as members of the Jewish people)

(Rabbi Zev Leff)

Miller’s Musings Parshas Nitzovim: Standing Before G-d

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored

לעילוי נשמת דבורה בת רחל

דבס”

Miller’s Musings

Parshas Nitzvavim

Standing Before G-d

On the day of his death, what else would a man of the spiritual magnitude of Moshe focus on, other than the betterment of his people? His parting words concentrated on channeling all the Jewish people’s energies towards making the right choices based on their responsibilities as the people of Hashem. The Parsha begins with the words “You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem”, before declaring the nature of the covenant between the Jewish people and their G-d. The fact that they were “before Hashem” is always the case and hence patently obvious. An elucidation of its necessity is therefore required.

I think we can say with absolute certainty, that the Chofetz Chaim was a man of tremendous faith and belief in Hashem. But it is curious to note, that when he felt any manner of slight lacking or weakening of his spiritual level, he would review and learn the sections of the Torah that relate the creation of the world. It is of course impossible to say that he even for one moment possessed even the minutest amount of uncertainty about who brought the universe into existence. Yet he read over those passages in the Torah because he understood that ultimately all failings of our service of Hashem is rooted in some dilution of our belief in Hashem, His creation and our being His created ones. This not to say that he was not certain of this truth, but perhaps it was to some degree, on his level, not as entirely absorbed in every fibre of his being, as it may have once been. And this is what he needed to rectify. Perhaps this too is what Moshe was telling the people. You are here today to form an everlasting bond with Hashem. To keep His commandments and follow His word. You can live up to this pledge and succeed in this task that is such a privilege to fulfill. But the key to your success is being standing “before Hashem” at all times. To know with all your mind, body and soul that He is there. If you truly know this, you cannot go wrong.

The message we must take is incredibly powerful and has tremendous repercussions for our entire service of Hashem. It points to the source of all of our deficiencies and the root cause of every mistake that we make that goes against the Torah’s teachings. Throughout the year, when we slip up, and especially now, when we are searching for routes back to Hashem, we must give some time to considering the basic quality of our own belief in Hashem. For if we believed as we should, absolutely, unconditionally and in every single component of our being, how could we ever fall and how could we ever lack the will to achieve what we must? We must not be afraid of our weaknesses in this area, nor succumb to the Yetzer Horah’s attempts to accentuate what is common to all and merely requires strengthening. Moments of frailty do not indicate an overall failure. Yet knowing its power and effects compels us. We must improve, support and intensify our belief in Hashem, so that we not only know it intellectually, but feel it at every moment, in all we do and with all our heart.

*May our rest on Shabbos deepen our faith in Him*

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

If you would like to sponsor a week of Miller’s Musings l’ilui nishmas someone, for a Refuah Sheleima or to celebrate a Simcha please send a message to millersmusingsrabbi or to 07531332970

Parshas Nitzavim

After hearing the 98 curses in last week’s parsha, in addition to the 49 in parshas Bechukosai, the faces of the Jewish people became pale and they said, “Who can stand up to these?” Moshe began to appease them, “You are standing today. Even though you angered Hashem greatly, nevertheless, He has has not totally destroyed you and you are still around” (Rashi on 29:12).

The verse says, “You are standing today, all of you” (29:9). Perhaps because they were all together, as one community, they were still standing, they were still around. Despite angering Hashem, the Jewish people as a nation are assured that they will survive. We find this idea by Rosh Hashana. Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgement, our lives are hanging, yet we dress up for the occasion and eat and drink – we are certain that Hashem will peform a miracle for us and save us (Tur). This guarantee is for the community. However, each individual should indeed be worried and cannot rely on a miracle that he will pass the judgement. Only the Jewish people as a whole can rely on a miracle that Hashem will save them. If a person would like to be make it through the judgment of Rosh Hashana, it is advisable that he attaches himself to the community, and makes other dependent on him, for example through giving charity or performing good deeds to the public. Through this he becomes like the community and will be saved. (Darchei Mussar based on Saba M’Kelm)

Parshas Nitzavim

After hearing the 98 curses in last week’s parsha, in addition to the 49 in parshas Bechukosai, the faces of the Jewish people became pale and they said, “Who can stand up to these?” Moshe began to appease them, “You are standing today. Even though you angered Hashem greatly, nevertheless, He has has not totally destroyed you and you are still around” (Rashi on 29:12).

The verse says, “You are standing today, all of you” (29:9). Perhaps because they were all together, as one community, they were still standing, they were still around. Despite angering Hashem, the Jewish people as a nation are assured that they will survive. We find this idea by Rosh Hashana. Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgement, our lives are hanging, yet we dress up for the occasion and eat and drink – we are certain that Hashem will peform a miracle for us and save us (Tur). This guarantee is for the community. However, each individual should indeed be worried and cannot rely on a miracle that he will pass the judgement. Only the Jewish people as a whole can rely on a miracle that Hashem will save them. If a person would like to be make it through the judgment of Rosh Hashana, it is advisable that he attaches himself to the community, and makes other dependent on him, for example through giving charity or performing good deeds to the public. Through this he becomes like the community and will be saved. (Saba M’Kelm)

A day in the life of…… oneself.

In parshas Nitzavim, we find a verse which need’s explaining- Hashem tells the Jewish nation “See, I have put in front of you today life and good, and death and evil” The commentators question the word “today”, yesterday they were also required to follow all the laws of the Torah so what does the Torah mean that “Today” make the right choice?

An answer offered is that the Torah is trying to tell us not to be hung up over past failures- to some extent “forget the past”, whatever happened yesterday happened, even if a person made the wrong choice yesterday, today is a new day and if need be- a new beginning. And the same is true the other way around as well- just because you made the correct choice yesterday isn’t a guarantee that the next time the same will occur- we have to remain vigilant and on guard against the enticements of the “Yetzer hara”, every day anew.

Every day we are confronted with the choice once more of right or wrong – let’s make the right choice!!

R’ Ezer Pine

Rosh Hashana – If not now, When?!?

Transferring Aliyah

There are places where the custom is that the baal tokei’ah (the person blowing the shofar) is entitled to an aliyah on Rosh Hashana. There was a baal tokei’ah in such a place who sold his aliyah to someone else. Obviously the gabba’im were not very impressed. Is he allowed to transfer his aliyah?

It would seem that it should depend on whether the person who the gabbaim wanted to have the aliyah was entitled to the aliyah and can claim it or whether the gabbaim just wanted to honour him. If he could claim the aliyah, then the aliyah is a type of payment and therefore he should have the right to sell it or honour someone else with it. Whereas if the gabba’im wanted to honour him, they wanted to honour him not someone else and so he would not have the right to transfer the aliyah.

Some (Sdei Chemed) say that just like a kohen or a levi may not sell his aliyah (if there was only one kohen in the shul and the kohen walked out of the shul before the first aliyah) so too the baal tokei’ah may not sell his aliyah. Another reason why he should not be allowed to sell it is because one reason why there is a custom to give the baal tokei’ah an aliyah is because he is similar to the kohen gadol on Yom Kippur. The kohen gadol is involved with the special service of the day and reads from the Torah and gives a berachah, so too the person involved in the blowing of the shofar and the order of the day should be one of those that read from the Torah, since the blowing of the shofar represents the service in the Holy of Holies like the kohen gadol performed on Yom Kippur (Damesek Eliezer based on the Gra). Accordingly, the aliyah is a part of the service of the blowing of the shofar and may not be sold. (Maadanei Yom Tov)

Selichos – We Are Important

We start saying Selichos tonight,

Motzei Shabbos (or in the morning). We always begin Selichos on

the first day of the week. This hints at the first day of Creation, which preceded Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah was actually the sixth day of Creation, the day that man was created. Starting this inspection process on the first day of Creation serves a number of purposes:

1. It signifies a new beginning, a very important incentive and impetus to teshuvah. The Rabbis relate (Bereishis Rabbah 21:6) that the word “v’atah“, “and now,” signifies teshuvah, which requires that ability to feel that one can make a fresh new start and totally separate himself from the negative actions of the past. Part of the awakening that Selichos effects is the idea of the urgency to repent now, the urgency to do teshuvah without any delay.

2. It is significant that all of creation was created before man. If man fulfills G-d’s will, thus fulfilling the purpose of all creation, then all of creation was created to serve man in achieving this goal. If, however, man rebels against G-d’s will, he is reminded that even a gnat preceded him in creation and is superior to him. To appreciate the need to confront our past deeds and to take the necessary steps to correct them during Aseres Yemei Teshuva, we need to bring to mind the order of Creation and the fact that we are a very significant part of that Creation.

3. The custom in many places is to commence Selichos after

midnight on Saturday night. The central piyut of the first Selichos begins with the mention that it is the conclusion of our Shabbos rest. Shabbos is the day that the Jew is at his highest spiritual level. It is the day when are most aware of the goal of all existence – the World to Come – of which Shabbos is a manifestation in this world. When one contemplates his ultimate purpose and the perfection it represents, it serves as a stimulus to the self-inspection and introspection that is the essence of Selichos.

Thus we begin knocking on the door of repentance and forgiveness with the recitation of Selichos. We know that we have a long road to travel before the doors open wide and we enter them at the end of Yom Kippur. But Selichos is the start, when we say we wish them to open, for the desire to enter them is the all-important beginning of the teshuvah process.
(Rabbi Zev Leff)

Miller’s Musings Parshas Ki Sovo: My Precious

This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored

לעילוי נשמת משה בן מנחם מנוס הלוי שנפל במלחמת

הקוממיות

כ’ אלול תש’ח

In memory of Max Stern who fell fighting for Israel

24 September 1948

דבס”

Miller’s Musings

Parshas Ki Savo

*My Precious*

To truly care for someone means to say what is necessary, despite how painful that might be. Moshe’s care for the Jewish people was perhaps his greatest asset as a leader and that meant telling them what needed to be said. Our Parsha bursts with admonitions and warnings of what a failure to keep to Hashem’s Torah will lead to. But it also tells us the blessings that will result from our cleaving to His word. We are beseeched by Moshe to “keep and perform” the laws of Hashem, a double expression which seemingly implies the exact same thing. If we are keeping the laws, are we not by definition performing them?

A Torah life is one spent every moment performing the Will of Hashem. When we are not fulfilling the plethora of ritual Mitzvos, we are always able to engage in any number of opportunities to connect with Hashem via our interpersonal relationships or through those processes that deepen our faith in Him. Yet how much do we value these opportunities and how much thought do we expend on accomplishing them. Perhaps the word “keep” is better substituted with the equally correct translation “guard”. For the Mitzvos we do, even before performing them, should first be guarded zealously by us to protect them from damage, decay or loss. We must first realise the precious gift that we possess and in so doing, carry out our life’s work with greater enthusiasm and appreciation of what we are achieving. We must guard them first and then perform the laws of Hashem.

It is that time of the year when we are focused on doing more and failing less. We are looking for acts that we can do that will help us over the finishing line and tip our scale towards the side of merit. This is precisely how we should be spending our time. But apart from looking to increase our quantity of observances, should we not also be looking at ways to enhance the quality. We must remind ourselves that these are not just duties that must be performed in order to avoid recrimination. Rather they are the most exquisite gifts from Hashem that allow us to bring His presence into our lives. This thought alone should profoundly affect us when we are involved in those positive acts. But this awareness should also provoke us into a general movement towards greater focus on what we are doing. Trying to consciously remove foreign thoughts when performing the Mitzvos is such a crucial way to develop the quality of those actions we have may have done so often. It takes but a moment to remind ourselves prior to the Mitzvoh to converge all our thoughts on the task at hand and expel other matters from our mind. But it is a moment that can have a tremendous effect on what we do. We have to train ourselves to take this small amount of time to pause and reflect, but with time it can surely become an intrinsic part of how we experience our Mitzvo observance. A part that makes us treasure our gifts more than anything else.

*May we focus this Shabbos on observing it with love*

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

If you would like to sponsor a week of Miller’s Musings l’ilui nishmas someone, for a Refuah Sheleima or to celebrate a Simcha please send a message to millersmusingsrabbi or to 07531332970

Parshas Ki Savo

Upon crossing the Jordan River into the Land of Israel, the Jewish people were instructed to erect big stones and write the Torah on the stones (27:4-8). This seems quite interesting – the way of the world is that when a person comes to a new place, the first thing he normally does is ensure that he has a place to stay and tends to his basic needs, especially if he has been a difficult journey.

The Jewish people has been wandering for forty years and had fought many battles, and yet what did they occupy themselves with when they entered Israel? They wrote the Torah. Why? Because the Torah is the most important thing. It is not just a nice addition to our lives. It is our lives. Our rights to Israel are only because of the Torah. Therefore the foundations of life in the Promised Land were “built” with the Torah.