It was a Rosh Hashanah like no other. It was the Rosh Hashanah when I felt as if I held a “Book of Life” in my hands. On that day, for the very first time, I opened S.Y. Agnon’s beautiful High Holy Days book “Yamim Noraim — Days of Awe.”
Cornell University has published tips for healthy Yom Kippur fasting. If you will be fasting for Yom Kippur, please follow the link below for tips:
Mary Klaus writes that sincerely asking forgiveness is difficult for most: it is inherently humbling. You have to confront uncomfortable truths about yourself. It is also challenging is that you must prepare yourself to not be forgiven.
Rabbi Sacks asks the question: Why Judaism? In Exodus, at Sinai, our forefathers said, “All that the Lord has spoken we shall do…”. Now, at the end of Moses’ life, he has to ensure that all future generations will also be bound by the covenant.
There is a contradiction in the passage of the 13 attributes, describing God’s compassion, as well as holding descendants responsible for their parents’ wrongdoing.
During Elul, it is a reminder of what it means to be a Jew and to have received the Torah. It is also a wake-up call, a call for yeshivah. To read the whole article, please follow this link:
Rabbi Chaim Ovadia writes an interesting article about the treatment of female captives. He develops the theme that the men in power have the right to violate the female captive, as long as they simply follow certain protocols.
Getting ready for High Holy Days – Please check out this beautiful rendition of Or Zarua by Cantor Marsha Attie
Author Sigal Samuel posted an article on Deuteronomy 22:5, which addresses the Biblical prohibition against cross dressing.
As we approach the High Holy Days, please check out this video recorded by Rabbi Cantor Cheri Weiss entitled “Holy, Holy, Holy” for Yom Kippur.