Printed fromJewishFolsom.org
ב"ה
Rabbi Yossi's Blog

Can you feel it?

Friday, 17 August, 2012 - 3:38 pm

Posted by Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum

When was the last time you took inventory – of yourself? Inventory of your actions, inventory of your decisions and inventory of your general direction in life? In business, we are constantly working on our product, making sure that our service is the best out there. But how often do we stop and think about our life?

This week we begin the Jewish month of Elul – the last month of the year. We are now in the home stretch leading up to the High Holidays. This time of year is not only time to reserve your seat for High Holiday services (which I encourage you to do), it is the time to strengthen our positive traits and correct that which needs correcting.

Just Do It! Is what Nike tells us – and this an important message for Elul. Too often we push things off; I do plan to go to services BUT this week is not good for me. I would join that class BUT I’m so worn out in the evening. This month, don’t make too many calculations – Just Do It!

You can feel it in the air – a different wind is blowing. It’s the Elul wind.

The Previous Rebbe describes the unique atmosphere that enveloped the town of Lubavitch as the month of Elul approached: "Though summer still lingered and the day was bright and sunny, there was a change in the air. One smelled already the Elul-scent; a teshuvah-wind was blowing. Everyone grew more serious, more thoughtful... All awaited the call of the shofar, the first blast that would announce the opening of the gates of the month of mercy...."

Although the area we live in is a far cry from the bustling Jewish life that dominated the town of Lubavitch, we can still experience this Elul breeze by participating in some of the special Torah classes taking place in the next few weeks (see below) and coming to services tonight (and every Friday night) at 6:30 and tomorrow at 10.

Comments on: Can you feel it?
10/12/2012

Leimis wrote...

It would only be possible for the seneelmttts to remain under Palestinian sovereignty if the residents agree to become citizens/residents of the Palestinian state. That's clearly nto going to happen. The settlers won't even recgonize such a state.It contrasts very starkly with the chabad rabbis that I know that claim that the way to invoke the messiah is by good deeds, mitzvot, that comprise a thick fabric of goodness on the planet, a healed planet.Clearly, the chabad rabbis are in the minority or have no influence in Israel. He also ignores the component of Torah which requires that Jews adopt the laws of the land in which they are hosted.By that definition, Zionism violates that very belief. In fact, if Israel would not exist today if that law had been observed.There is also substantiation within Torah to preclude the taking of land by force, as the form of the promise fulfilled.Again, this would have Specifically, that Abraham purchased the land of Mechpelah, rather than expropriated it, though Rachel's tomb was taken by force.Was Jerusalem not taken by force? What about Jerischo?The theme that e2809cthe land is ourse2809d is definitely widely held in some chabad circles and other new religious factions, especially among those adherents that reject skepticism as even a means to dive into Torah.But this ontradicts the requirement to adhere to the laws of the land.