Hashem, tears are a powerful of Life for the upcoming year.

From Light to Salvation tool when approaching teshuvah.

Crying shows that we truly feel
In the Rosh Hashanah davening,
we cry, “Teshuvah, tefillah and
Securing a Favorable Din pangs of regret for what we have tzedakah will save us from the
on Yom Kippur done and are ready to leave our evil decree!” Chazal were care-
old ways behind and make a new ful to present this trio in order
By Rav Moshe Shternbuch start. This is the first step towards of significance.
lasting change. Besides helping others with
The following was written the present and rectify the past in “Create an opening in your their problems, we face up to
by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis light of this awareness. This is the heart the size of the point of a SINCERE REGRET our own shortcomings. Rectify-
based on a drasha given by Rav salvation of Yom Kippur. needle, and I [Hashem] will wid- The Gemara tells the story ing our transgressions through
Moshe Shternbuch, Rosh Av en it to the size of an enormous of a rasha who did teshuvah teshuvah and reestablishing
Beis Din of the Eidah Hacha- A VISIT FROM THE KING hall.” Not everyone merits a visit and was able to atone for all of our relationship with Hashem
reidis of Yerushalayim, on leil During Pesach, Shavous and from the King of kings. Only his transgressions in a single through tefillah are the first steps.
Rosh Hashanah. Sukkos, we have a special mitz- those who open their hearts and moment of anguished sincerity. Only then will our tzedakah help
••••• vah of aliyah l’regel. Every Jew allow the light of the Shechinah His repentance was acknowl- us to annul any harsh decrees
LIGHT AND SALVATION travels to Yerushalayim to offer to penetrate within are privileged edged with a Heavenly voice that against us.
From Rosh Chodesh Elul to korbanos and celebrate the Yom to enjoy this special encounter. proclaimed that he had earned
Shemini Atzeres, every day we Tov. These days are among the In previous generations, the a place in the World to Come. A YEAR OF SALVATION
recite the perek of Tehillim of We have explained how we
“L’Dovid Hashem Ori Veyishi,” can use the light that we unveiled
calling Hashem our light and
salvation. Chazal explain that
If we allow Hashem’s light to illuminate our lives, then we can on Rosh Hashanah to illuminate
the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. If
“light” refers to Rosh Hashanah rest assured of our salvation. we follow through on what we
and “salvation” to Yom Kippur. started on Rosh Hashanah, we
How does the light of Rosh can look forward to salvation
Hashanah relate to salvation on most significant of the Jewish concept of Divine Sovereignty Upon witnessing this incident, on Yom Kippur. This will help
Yom Kippur? calendar. was recognized throughout the Rebbi started to cry. ensure that we will have a sweet
Rosh Hashanah consists of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kip- world. Yet, in some ways, it was While we can understand why year filled with blessing.
two days of majesty. During this pur are also important festivals, more difficult to forge a relation- it is important to cry about our During these auspicious days,
time, we coronate Hashem as yet there is no mitzvah to travel ship with Hashem in those days. own transgression, Rebbi’s reac- we cannot bury our head in the
our King, affirming our certainty to the Bais Hamikdosh. Yet, one This could only be accomplished tion seems strange. Shouldn’t he sand and forget that we are sur-
that He is the Supreme Being in might suppose that there is no through fasting, self-denial and have been happy that the rasha rounded by nations who want
our lives. After two full days of time more fitting to absorb the various other forms of absten- atoned and gained entrance to to annihilate us. Although gov-
instilling this in our hearts, we rarified atmosphere of Yerusha- tion. Only the select few were the World to Come? What is the ernment officials downplay the
hope to have brought the illumi- layim than the awesome and holy privileged to this experience. meaning of Rebbi’s reaction? danger, there are thousands of
nation of Hashem’s Presence into Yomim Noraim. Why isn’t there In today’s world, science, Rebbi saw that it was possible missiles aimed at Eretz Yisroel
our lives. a mitzvah to go to Yerushalayim technology and social trends have to do instantaneous teshuvah and from neighboring states and
This is the deeper meaning for these days? clouded awareness of Hashem, to in a moment acquire a portion countless enemies plotting at-
behind the words of the Me’iri It is not due to a lack of ke- the point that His Sovereignty is in Olam Habah. From this phe- tacks on Jews around the world.
(Rosh Hashanah 15a) who writes dushah that Rosh Hashanah and almost imperceptible. And yet, nomenon, Rebbi deduced that the Our antagonists are just waiting
that whoever does not do tes- Yom Kippur are exempt from in some ways, creating a rela- reverse is also true. Our relation- for the opportune moment to try
huvah on Rosh Hashanah has no the mitzvah of aliyah l’regel. In tionship with the King is much ship with Hashem is extremely to destroy us.
connection to the G-d of Klal Yis- fact, the opposite is true. The easier when He is in exile, far fragile, and a person can also lose In truth, the evil people who
roel. Although Rosh Hashanah is reason we do not pay a visit to from the trappings of majesty his place in the World to Come want to harm Klal Yisroel are
not overtly about teshuvah, it is Hashem’s home on the Yomim and honor that are due to Him. in a single moment. This terrify- powerless themselves. Hashem
a day to come face-to-face with protects the Jewish people and
the reality of Hashem in our lives. will not allow any being to harm
Whoever shirks this responsibil- a hair on the head of a single Jew,
ity has no connection to “the G-d In some ways, creating a relationship with the King is much unless He decrees otherwise. We
of Klal Yisroel.” easier when He is in exile, far from the trappings of majesty and have nothing to fear from them.
When we succeed in illumi- Our real fear should be of
nating our lives on Rosh Ha- honor that are due to Him. Hashem, especially during these
shanah by crowning Hashem as days when our entire future
our King, we are ready for the is being decided. If we allow
remaining days of the Aseres Noraim is because on these Especially during the Aseres ing awareness brought Rebbi, a Hashem’s light to illuminate our
Yemei Teshuvah. Once His Sov- awesome days, the Almighty Yemei Teshuvah, when Hashem great tzaddik who had devoted lives, then we can rest assured
ereignty is firmly imprinted on descends from the Heavens and reaches out to us, whoever makes his entire life to coming closer of our salvation. However, if we
our souls, we can try and improve comes to visit us instead. the slightest effort to draw close to Hashem, to tears. are lax in our responsibilities,
will see major results. then we really do have something
TESHUVAH, TEFILLAH to fear.
arsnv ,hc rgbhygryx THE MESSAGE OF TEARS
During Rosh Hashanah and
AND TZEDAKAH
During the days between
The upcoming year of 5770
consists of the Hebrew letters
Strettiner Bais Hamedrash the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, we Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Tof, Shin, and Ayin. These
4609 Bay Pkwy (off Ave I & Ocean Pkwy) spend a lot of time involved with every Jew does what he can to letters share the same root as
tefillah. Yet we may not be sure ensure that he will have a year of the word teshuah, salvation.
FOR LADIES AND GIRLS: if Hashem is satisfied with our blessing. Some visit the kevarim Let us use the illumination
efforts. How can we know if our of tzaddikim, while others search of Hashem’s Majesty that we
vars vcua ,ca neshamos are really connected
to Hashem and illuminated by
for segulos. While these practices
may have some impact, one must
gained on Rosh Hashanah to
light the way towards 5770 as
Sept. 26 ubhztv ,arp e”ca His Presence? make sure that our limited time a year of salvation.
The Arizal revealed a power- during these precious days is •••••
Time: 4:00 p.m. ful way to gauge our standing invested wisely. Rabbi Travis is a rosh kol-
Guest Speaker: REB. RUTHY ASSAF in this regard. If we felt tearful Tzedakah is an extremely ef- lel of Kollel Toras Chaim in
Principal of Manhattan High School for Girls during the tefillos of Rosh Ha- fective way to ensure a favorable Yerushalayim, and is the author
shanah, we can be sure that our din. When we give to others, of Shaylos U’Teshuvos Toras
Language: ENGLISH neshamos sensed the judgment we arouse Hashem’s middas Chaim and “Praying With Joy
taking place. If we did not have harachamim. In doing so, we - A Daily Tefilla Companion,”
Place: Strettiner Simcha Hall such an experience on Rosh Ha- become beneficiaries of His a practical daily guide to im-
4609 Bay Pkwy (off Ave I & Ocean Pkwy) shanah, we must work to repair infinite mercy. proving one’s prayers, avail-
Brooklyn, NY our relationship with Hashem in However, we must remember able from Feldheim Publishers.
time for Yom Kippur. that although tzedakah is impor- For more information about
All women of the community are invited. In addition to being a test of tant, we cannot simply use it to his work, contact dytravis@
our neshamos’ connection to buy ourselves a place in the Book actcom.com.

Page 68 YATED NE’EMAN 14 Tishrei 5770 • October 2 2009