Rosh Hashanah 5787

Rosh Hashanna

Dvar Torah
On Rosh Hashanna, the Torah and Haftorah readings recount our matriarch Sarah giving birth to Isaac and Hanna bearing the great prophet Samuel. Both barren women had longed for children, living in great anguish at their childlessness. Both had their dreams fulfilled and our sages teach that we recount these stories because their prayers were both answered on Rosh Hashana.

One of the central themes of the day is the kingship of G-d. As the world enters another year, we gather in the synagogue to actively recognize our creator. This annual re-realization can take many forms. What Hannah and Sarah teach us is that this day is a reminder that what was, does not need to be, that the world has a creator who is listening to our prayers and shofar blasts, and that despite whatever the natural odds may be, there is someone we can turn to – as Hannah exclaims in her song of gratitude “He raises the needy from the dust, from the trash heaps He lifts the destitute” (Sam. I 2:7).

However, there is another theme to the day – remembrance. In the Mussaf prayer we petition G-d to recall the kindness of our youth, how we as a People collectively followed him in the wilderness. How we still possess the delight of child despite whatever has passed since then.

As we stand before Hashem in all his might, we also recognize that we are no strangers. We come with memories of the kindness of our own youth as well as the illustrious history of our People collectively. We read in the Torah how “Hashem had remembered Sarah as He had said; and Hashem did for Sarah as He had spoken” (Gen. 21:1) and pray that Hashem inscribe us all in the Book of Good Life for the coming year – that the barren be blessed, the lonely find companionship, and the downtrodden redemption.

Rosh Hashanna candle lighting (Friday) and Havdalah times (Sunday)
Yerushalayim 18:11/19:24
Tel-Aviv 18:30/19:26
Paris 19:54/20:55
London 19:06/20:10
NYC 18:53/19:49
Chicago 18:47/19:45
More times

Shanna Tova!

Comments

Chayei Sarah (2025)

Shabbat Chayei-Sarah Dvar Torah – The Legacy of Lech-L’cha Abraham — like any Jewish father — is worried. Sarah has passed away, Isaac has come of age, and he needs to find his son a wife. What follows is the legendary narrative of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, journeying to Aram-Naharayim — Abraham’s homeland — where he miraculously encounters Rebecca. Her kindness and generosity shine through immediately, and she unhesitatingly says “yes.” But why did Isaac need a wife from abroad? The same question arises with Jacob — why were the women of Canaan unsuitable for the patriarchs? I once heard a beautiful insight from my sister (whose given name, incidentally, is Rebecca). The defining trait of our patriarchs was their willingness to venture into the unknown in response to God’s call. Abraham heard the command of “Lech Lecha” — to leave behind everything familiar — and he went on to the Promised Land. To join this family and become the mothers of the Jewish people, the mat...

Ki-Tavoh (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Tavoh Dvar Torah – Judaism’s Day 1 Culture As Moshe concludes his review of the commandments on the banks of the Jordan, he tells the people: “On this day Hashem your G-d commands you to observe these laws.” The wording is striking— why “on this day”? Wasn’t this already commanded at Sinai? The classic commentator Rashi explains that the Torah is reminding us to approach it as if every day were “Day 1” —fresh, new, and full of energy. That’s not easy. But the way we can keep Torah alive is by making it personal. When we learn, reflect, and discover new insights, we’re not just repeating old lessons—we’re expanding them, renewing them, and incorporating them in our own lives today. At this point when Moshe concludes his own masterclass (see Ramban), he hands us the baton to keep learning, discovering, and letting that continual renewal be the source of ongoing excitement and purpose in Jewish life. Trivia Following Shabbat, Ashkenazim will ...

Vayeira (2025)

Shabbat Vayeira Dvar Torah The portion of Vayeira opens with the famous scene of the ninety-nine-year-old Abraham standing at the crossroads on a sweltering summer day. Though still recovering from his circumcision just three days earlier, he eagerly awaits passing travelers so that he might invite them into his home. Soon, three angels appear on the horizon, disguised as men, and Abraham and Sarah rush to host them with enthusiasm, grace, and kindness. As they sit down to eat, the angels deliver the astonishing news that Sarah, in her old age, will bear a son — Isaac. The Ramban notes that although Abraham had many servants at his disposal, he nonetheless chose to personally attend to the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim rather than delegate it to others. More than that, he performed it with zeal and wholehearted devotion. We may extend the Ramban’s insight to a broader principle: when it comes to chesed — acts of kindness — personal involvement is paramount. Organization, ...

Corporate Torah

Search This Blog