9/18/98

A thought for these days of Elul and Yemei HaDin.

We blow Shofar beginning from Rosh Chodesh Elul. The source of our Minhag is Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer who writes in Perek 47 (I think), that on Rosh Chodesh Elul Moshe went up Har Sinai to receive the Luchos Sheniyos and a Shofar was sounded in the Machaneh, "Moshe Alah Hahara!" so that they would not stray after Avoda Zara. The last time Moshe went to get Torah, Bnei Yisrael made an Eigel. This time they took precautions that the same mistake shouldn't recur.

What was the mistake that resulted in the Eigel? Moshe didn't return at the expected time. The problem was not that they were unaware of where Moshe had gone, rather that they despaired of his return. In that case, the announcement should have been "Moshe is coming back!" Why announce that he has gone up Har Sinai?

Perhaps there is an important idea to be learned. The most important thing that a Jew must realize is what potential he has. If you realize that a Jew is capable of standing on Har Sinai like a Malach for 40 days, not eating and not drinking, [just] serving Hashem, then you are not going to waste your time fooling around with an Eigel. Look where Moshe is! That is the potential of every one of us - to be Oleh Lehar Hashem and stand BimKom Kodsho. When you understand how great you can be and the tremendous potential you have inside, you don't make golden calves.

This is the message that the Shofar has been blasting into us these past 28 days and this is the inspiration that should take us through Rosh HaShanah, Asseres Yemei Teshuvah and Yom HaKippurim.
If we hear it and act upon it and strive to be Oleh BeHar Hashem, we'll get there. We will come to the 40th day and spend it like Malachim. Like Moshe Rabeinu on Har Sinai. Without eating and without drinking, elevated above physical limitations and constrictions. We'll stand, singing the praise of Hashem using the song of Malachim "Boruch Shem Kevod..." If Moshe is Ole LeHar, we too can be Oleh Le'eila Ule'eila.

Try make this last Shabbos of the year really special, the way all our Shabbosim should really be. Hakol Holech Achar Ha Chitum. The Baalei Musser write that if we finish the year right, we can Metaken everything we messed up during the year.

Leshana Tova Tikasevu VeSeichaseimu, LeChaim Tovim ULeshalom. May you all have a year of Aliya in Torah and Hatzlacha be Chol Maaseh Yedeichem, health, prosperity and happiness to you and your families.
Daven well and may all our Tefillos and Tekios be Miskabel Lifnei Kisei HaKavod, BeRatzon.

May we all be Zocheh to see the answer to our Tefillos "Simcha LeArtzecha VeSasson LeIrechah Utzmichas Keren LeBen Yishai Meshichecha Bimhera BeYameinu.

Kol Tuv
Rav Segal