Israel Insider (email version)

I can’t help it, I loved this preview for this documentary. In many ways it seems like a televised version of the book I reviewed “Start Up Nation” on Yom Ha’atzmut. For those receiving this blog through email click here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCEDbNyT4xQ&feature=player_embedded

Avinu Malkeinu

When we think of the “Days of Awe,” thoughts of forgiving others as well as asking forgiveness pop up in our mind. That is certainly the gist of the prayers of Selichos and Yom Kippur. However, the Rosh Hashana Machzor does not mention either concept, nor does it list the viduy-confession that is recited several times on Yom Kippur.

What is the special character of Rosh Hashana? What makes it unique?

A thorough look at the prayers of Rosh Hashana show us that the gist of prayers is to help us accept G-d as our Avinu Malkeinu – our Father our King. What does it mean that G-d is our Father and our King?

Our Father: G-d loves us, and will do anything for us, just as a loving father does for his son, no matter how far his son has strayed. However, an earthly-father only has limited power. Our earthly-fathers might love us, but they are bound by financial constraints, legalities, etc. But rest assured; we have no worries, because G-d is not only our Father, but He is also Our King.

Our King: G-d has unlimited power to save us. He can annul bad decrees and access unlimited financial resources to help us. There is no situation that the King cannot enter to do something good for us. Although an earthly king has the power to help us, he might not, because he might not know us, or care about us. But we can rest assured; have no worries, because G-d is not only a powerful King that can do anything for us, He is our Father who loves us and will do anything for us.

That is the essence of Rosh Hashana, to make G-d our Avinu Malkeinu, our Father our King.

This Rosh Hashana, may you be blessed to reunite with your Father the King, and have a wonderfully good and sweet new year!

Who Shall Live?

Last night in my Machzor class we went through the stirring prayer, Unasaneh Tokef that is sung on both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. This video was made a couple years ago – but is still very relevant. Check it out! (http://youtu.be/fdkDk8xIEXw)

Obama bin Laden

The day after Osama bin Laden was killed I listened amused to the countless number of callers to the radio that referred to the slain terrorist as Obama bin Laden. Whith Obama’s recent public address that Israel must return to the indefensible 1967 borders (or his AIPAC clarification in which he called for a variation of the 1967 lines) it seems quite justified. See this concise video below that states the facts well: