|
 Message
from Rabbi
Dovid Moskovitz
Rosh HaShanah 5767
– 2006-2007
And Mordechai wrote
all these words and
sent letters of
correspondence to
all the Jews. This
is one possuk in
Megillas Esther. A
few lines later it
says” And Esther the
Queen and Mordechai
wrote of the story
and the miracles
etc.” In the famous
commentary Megillas
Storim he explains:
Mordechai only
commanded about
celebrating the
great miracles and
proclaiming Purim as
a holiday of feast
and joy. Esther
added the actual
recording of the
exact events that
lead to the victory
and all of the
miracles that
accompanied it.
The great master of
Mussar R’ Benzion
Brook tz’’l expands
the depths of this
comment. So many
times we celebrate,
and after time we
begin to forget the
source of our
celebration. We even
begin to doubt there
ever was a miracle.
We tend to attribute
it to our strength
and power. Esther
realized this
possibility and was
intent on preventing
this from happening.
She said we must
record all the
events.
In fact, this is
what really happened
over time to the
miracle of Chanukah.
It was transformed
into a spectacle of
show of human power
and endurance. This
is, instead of the
revelation of
Hashem’s divine
intervention. He
adds that perhaps
this is why it is
called by her name
Megillas Esther.
This past summer we
lived through a war
of miracles. True we
suffered much
anguish and grief.
True, we brought
many Korbonos on the
altar of war.
However, to think of
the catastrophic
consequences that
could have resulted,
we lived through a
miracle. Again, this
is being
overshadowed by our
embarrassment of not
winning the war with
our physical power.
This again is a
mistake. Wars are
won by cunning and
strategy, by power
and might – but- a
war of the Jewish
nation is acted out
by G-d alone. We are
forever, indebted to
our valiant soldiers
but to paraphrase
the Gemara in Bava
Kama. The wine
belongs to the host
and all the thanks
go to the waiter.
Now why did G-d
intervene to put a
stop to what seemed
like an
uncontrollable
enemy? The answer is
the united front
that the Jewish
people formed around
the world in Torah –
Tehillim and T’fila
In chapter 60 of
Tehillim upon
winning a war in the
North Dovid Hamelech
exclaims “Give us
help and salvation
from the enemy for
the salvation of man
is in vain.”
But again future
generations will
begin to distort the
facts. The political
left will construe a
whole different
version of the war.
At least, we who
lived through it
should be cognizant
of the great
miracles that were
performed.
Let not this Rosh
Hashana be just
another time of
introspection.
Rather, let it be a
time of accounting
to make sure we
deserved and will
deserve all the
kindness of Hashem.
And let us not
forget that the
danger still lurks
in the shadow. Let
us not forget the
steps of Moshiach
that we see and
hear. Let us not
forget that our
destiny is in our
hands.
At this time I would
offer a prayer for
the welfare of all
our brothers and
sisters here and
abroad. May we enjoy
a year of peace and
prosperity. May the
Name of the Almighty
be sanctified by our
deeds and may we
have health and
happiness.
Thank you all for
your participation
in our Mikdash Miat.
Especially to our
revered Rav, my
father-in-law Rabbi
Shloma Margolis
without whom the
level of Kedusha in
Chai Odom and Boston
would not be the
same.
Rosh HaShanah 5766
– 2005-2006
As we approach Rosh
Hashanah and a new
year, we must adjust
our outlook on
life’s happenings in
light of all that
has occurred in the
past years. What is
the real and true
understanding of a
religious Jew of all
the catastrophes
that our generation
has witnessed? Let
us leave for a
moment the personal
tragedies of our
people. Let us focus
on the world at
large. Twin towers
and thousands
perish. Tsunami
waves and even
greater numbers are
lost. And then the
hurricane and
thousands are left
homeless and as many
are dead. A Gemora
in Yevomos and a
Rashi in Shmos 7:3
explain these
incidents as having
a special impact on
our people. This is
aside from their
immediate impact on
those people
involved with them.
א"ר אלעזר אין
פורענות באה לעולם
אלא בשביל ישראל.....
Natural and man made
catastrophes befall
the entire world
only to be a wake up
call to the Jewish
people. That is to
say, that although
we mourn along with
the other
inhabitants of this
planet, we are also
obligated to “get
the hint”.
The Rambam clearly
defines the
calamities that
befall our nation,
and our communities
as a reminder to do
t’shuva
(תענית
פ"א). He goes so far as to say that one who shrugs off the
incident as mere
coincidence is being
vicious and without
feeling. Certainly,
in light of the
Chazal we mentioned,
we could say the
same with all of the
above world
catastrophes.
So now the finger
pointing begins. To
blame the non
religious sector
would not be fair.
One cannot be held
responsible for that
which one doesn’t
know and never
learned. No, the
finger turns back at
us. But, wait, don’t
we daven, keep
Shabbos, keep
Kashrus and educate
our children in
Torah. What could it
be? The answer is
written and recorded
for posterity. The
Bais Hamikdash was
destroyed in a
similar atmosphere
of Torah and chesed.
Yes, they helped
each other. However,
criticism, cynicism,
grudges and even
hatred have again
become a life style.
But, we have reached
a new low when even
speaking about this
is considered not
politically correct.
Help turn the tide.
Let us work together
on this project this
Rosh Hashanah. Make
friends with at
least one person you
are not friendly
with. Forget the
past and begin a
fresh start. Don’t
blame anybody, just
proceed forward.
Replace
שנאת חנם
with
אהבת חנם.
Don’t wait for the
other person to make
the overture, you be
first.
In fact, when we
talk about the
scapegoat on Yom
Kippur, it was an
animal, not a human
being; don’t create
your own scapegoat.
I know it is a
lonely feeling to
stretch out a hand
and there is no hand
to receive it. But,
one day someone will
grab it and say
עליכם שלום.
Have a happy and
healthy new year and
promote
אהבת ישראל.
In my name, and the
name of my family, I
wish you all a
כתיבה וחתימה טובה.
Rosh HaShanah 5765
– 2004-2005
The Gemora in
Erchin daf yud
enumerates the times
during the year that
we recite the whole
Hallel. The criteria
to say it is a day
which is a “moed”, a
holiday, and it
possesses kedusha
similar to Shabbos.
The gemora asks the
obvious question
“why isn’t Rosh
Hashana included in
the list?” The
answer is quite
famous. The malachim,
the angels above,
posed the question
to the Almighty. He
answered them “if
the books of life
and death are open,
is it proper to sing
Hallel?” Tosefos
points out that the
implication is that
the malachim
themselves continue
to sing even on Rosh
Hashana. Therefore,
we should not delete
from the machzor the
phrases which refer
to the malachim
singing. והחיות
ישוררו וכרובים יפארו...
Here, however, we
touch upon a
fascinating
combination of
emotions. In the
famous piece we
recite on Rosh
Hashana and on Yom
Kippur – Unesana
Tokef – there is a
reference to “even
the angels tremble
at the thought of
the day of
judgment”. That is
to say, although
they are trembling
and gripped with
fear at the prospect
of judgment of the
universe, they still
are able to
recognize their
obligation to sing
songs of praise to
HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
In fact, probably
for this reason,
they thought that
mankind should also
do the same. They
were answered that
it was improper to
do so.
We Jewish people
embody these two
magnificent
emotions. We posses
the ahava, the love
of HaShem, to prompt
us to levels of joy,
simcha in
performance of
mitzvos. Likewise,
we are people who
realize the
importance of our
role as servants of
HaShem and judgment
based on our merits.
We tremble in awe of
His greatness. This
unique blend is the
cause for our
declaration each day
that we are able to
praise Him in the
same way the
malachim praise Him.
A year has come and
gone and we hope and
pray that the peace
that has eluded us
for so many
thousands of years
will finally become
a reality. We hope
and pray for the
health and wellbeing
of all of our
brothers and sisters
across the globe.
To all the
members and friends
of our beloved
Congregation Chai
Odom we wish you all
a כתיבה וחתימה טובה...
May HaShem grant us
all the special gift
of long and happy
lives and may we
continue to help our
families and
community grow in
the true path of
yiddishkeit.
Rosh HaShanah 5764
– 2003-2004
“Mi sh’asah nisim…”
When we bentch Rosh
Chodesh before the
beginning of each
new month we
pronounce the
following brocha.
“The One who
performed all the
miracles to our
fathers and redeemed
them to freedom, He
certainly will
redeem us and gather
us from the four
corners of the
world.” However,
there seems to be a
condition attached
to this.
“Chaverim kol
Yisroel venomar
amen…”
Only when all of
Yisroel are friends,
then we can say
confidently Amain.
We live in times
when the yetzer hara
is trying to unglue
the unity of our
people. Love a
fellow Jew does not
just mean kiruv -
bring him back to
Yiddishkeit. Many
times this is done
for our own
satisfaction.
Avrohom Avinu is
credited with
“making souls”, so
we also want to make
them. Love a fellow
Jew means to love
the one just like
you and the one who
is a little
different, and the
one who is a lot
different, and the
one who is in
competition with
you. Whenever the
Brisker Rav z’l was
asked if the
Moshiach was ready
to come he would
respond, “are we
ready to receive
him?”
“Af al pi
sheyismamea…”
Although the
Moshiach is delayed,
I wait for him. But
what is the meaning
of this expression?
It means that we
realize that he
should come, but
we cause the
delay. We have to be
part of every simcha
in our little
community just as we
are unfortunately
part of each
tragedy. In short,
we have to learn to
“put ourselves out”,
to suffer some
discomfort in order
to help another Jew
in times of joy and
other times.
The Gemara in Rosh
HaShana 18a lauds
the power of a
community whose
prayers are able to
rescind even a final
decree. Tosfos on
16a indicates that a
prayer on behalf of
Klal Yisroel has the
same impact.
Although the saying
is “strength in
numbers”, our
strength is when we
are all one, a
simple indivisible
number one. If you
want to be strict as
Shamai, then you
also must adopt his
other principle
“v’he’vei mekabel es
kol ha’odom b’sever
panim yafos”
Receive all men with
a smile (and with
love). Rashi
comments in Sefer
Devorim that a
person attributes to
others his own
personal feelings.
We say those people
hate us because we
bear ill feelings
toward them. Let us
remember our own
words on Yomim
Noraim “ve’chol
ma’aminim sh’hu….”
“All believe all of
the following” –
that is to say “All
Jews join in our
basic emuna, our
basic belief. We
need each other. Why
be defeated by the
enemy within.
We try to mimic the
ways of HaShem. If
so, then “ahava raba
ahavtani…” “HaShem
loves with boundless
love”. So too must
we love each other
with boundless love.
To all of you from
all of us – A happy
and healthy New Year
of love for each
other and the coming
of Moshiach.
Pesach 5763 –
2003
The holiday of
Pesach, of
redemption, of
spiritual freedom
has once again come.
The question could
be asked. Why is
this Pesach
different from all
that we have already
experienced in our
lives? The answer is
quite simple and can
be expressed in two
numbers – 9/11. The
power supply of the
mitzvah of Pesach is
our ability to
function in our
present lives but
still being able to
imagine what our
fathers felt long
ago in those times.
This would, of
course, enable us to
enjoy and appreciate
the Exodus and its
ramifications. We
are told that in
every generation our
lives hang in the
balance, in every
generation there are
forces trying to
destroy our people.
The Haggada is
informing us that we
don’t have to use
our imagination as
much as we would
think we do. It is
telling us that this
facet of our
existence is real
and tangible.
However until 9/11
we really could not
relate to this
declaration. We were
secure and our jobs
were secure. We were
in control of our
lives, our children,
and our people. Now
times have changed.
We know that
homeland security
has not brought
security to our
homeland, Eretz
Yisroel. Although,
thank G-d, we don’t
live in fear, we
also don’t live in
peace and calm. Now,
the reality. Who is
the Redeemer? Is it
our armed forces? Is
it our political
clout? Is it our
hi-tech alarm
systems? Herein lies
the key to our
success as a nation.
We have only one
address – the
Almighty – as the
answer to all our
problems. Sforim
tell us that the
leaven dough
represents the
expansion and rise
of our material
wealth, our life’s
portfolio. The Matza
represents our
willingness to be
satisfied with
minimal pleasures.
How unique that the
message of Pesach
and the message of
Sukkos is one in the
same. The answer to
all our life’s
problems is within
ourselves. Rely not
on oneself but
rather on the
Creator of all men.
If all this is so,
then the one weapon
we all possess is
the power of prayer,
Tfila, especially
with a minyan in
Shul. It is brought
in the Sefer Maamar
Mordechai that the
Chazon Ish would
learn with his older
brother R’ Meir z’’l
and if they were
entangled in a
difficult piece of
Gemara, they would
close the Seforim
and daven – for the
power of prayer is
necessary in
everything we do. In
fact, the Sefer
quotes R’ Yaakov
z’’l that the Alter
of Slobodka was once
davening and a bomb
exploded nearby.
After he completed
Shmone Esrei he
asked "What happened
here"? So great was
the concentration
level of davening.
Let us all, men,
women, and children
begin to perfect our
T’fila, let it be
more deliberate,
more encompassing
and definitely more
sincere.
My
family wishes your
family a Chag Kosher
VeSameach and we
should see the
Binyian Beit
HaMikdash Bemehera.
Rosh HaShanah 5763
– 2002-2003
How
great is my personal
thanks and praise to
the Almighty for all
He has bestowed upon
my family and me.
Amidst all the
tragedies that have
befallen our people
we see the shining
light which
indicates Hashems’s
love for us.
Yiddishkeit
flourishes around
the world and here
in Boston. Our Shul
is an oasis in which
Torah and Tefilla
are practiced in the
proper and time
proven method. Our
בעלי בתים
are sincere and
warm-hearted people
struggling with
everyday
circumstances and
yet growing
constantly in their
adherence to Torah
and mitzvos. I
constantly receive
phone calls from all
over, former Chai
Odom members keeping
me updated on their
lives, always
expressing their
love for our little
shul. More than once
a desire has been
expressed for a shul
like Chai Odom in
their new
neighborhoods. I am
overwhelmed by the
help I constantly
receive from the
people of our shul
on any given
project.
The Torah commands
us to take inventory
twice in seven years
to assure we have
distributed all the
maaser, other gifts
and taxes that are
required of us. In
the declaration we
recite, we add the
phrase “I did not
forget.” Rashi
adds, “I did not
forget to make the
brocha upon giving
these monetary
obligations.” Now
doesn’t it seem odd
that I should give
away a percentage of
my wealth, sometimes
25% or more, and
still show my
appreciation to
Hashem? The answer
is simple. All that
we have in our lives
is a gift from above
and we have been
given the blueprint
as to its
management. In
recognition of this
closeness to Hashem,
we thank Him for the
opportunity to serve
Him. All of us
involved in
community work know
how difficult the
trials and
tribulations are.
Still we thank
Hashem for this
chance to serve Him
and to help others
serve him as well.
Renovation on the
shul will probably,
with Hashems help,
begin after the
holidays. We are
excited at the
prospect of
beautifying our
Mikdash m’at. We
invite the
assistance of all
interested parties
to oversee the
success of this
project.
In the merit of our
efforts to enhance
this small Bais
Hamikdash, may we
merit to see the
building of the Bais
Hamikdash in
Yerushalayim in
peace.
כתיבה וחתימה טובה
May we
merit a good and healthy year!
Pesach 5762
– 2002
When
one begins a new
project or opens a
new business, one
never knows the
extent of success or
failure. The
imagination runs
wild with thoughts
of accomplishments
and praise. The
source of all
success is the
Ribono Shel Olam who
decides, not only
life and death, but
who will be rich
this year and who
will be poor. It is
not in our hands. If
so, then one hundred
years later, if an
institution is still
functioning
according to its
original charter, it
is the hand of G-d
that has guided it.
Hashem gave a Torah
to the world and
realized that all
organizations change
their goals and
their philosophies
over the years until
it is not always
visible to us their
initial intentions.
So it was that He
gave the Torah to
one family, the
Jewish people,
because a family-run
business retains the
true character of
the founder of the
company. We are the
Chosen people,
chosen to guard the
sanctity, the
principles, the
beauty of our Torah.
The family of
Chai Odom has been
trusted guardians
of this concept.
The davening, the
learning, the
chessed of years
gone by, continue to
exist in the setting
of a new century. Of
this we are proud.
In Chumash when
Yisro entered into a
new phase of his
life he made a
party, which Moshe
and Aaron attended.
In Navi when Elisha
was told of his new
position he also
made a party.
Certainly for the
Kavod of Torah, a
century of Torah and
Tefilla deserves a
party. I sincerely
request of all our
friends and
neighbors, both from
Chai Odom and also
from other Shuls to
attend our
centennial Banquet
to pay tribute to
Rabbi Margolis and
all those who
perpetuated this
spirit of a true
Bais Hak’nesses here
in Boston. May you
all merit a happy
and healthy Pesach
season and may we
see Sholom in Eretz
Yisroel.
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