KOE – service to others, serious davening, sociabiilty and sensitivity

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova.

According to the Sefer HaChinuch, the final commandment in the Torah is found in this weeks Parsha, Parshat Vayelech. The mitzvah is to write for oneself a Sefer Torah and is based on the verse:
Now there

fore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me among the children of Israel.

The Chinuch states that it is a mitzvah for every person in Bnei Yisrael to have a sefer torah. He further elaborates that it is preferable for one to write it himself in order that it will be dearer to him. Additionally, even if one received a Torah from their parents, they should still write their own Sefer Torah. This is so that the amount of sifrei torah available will increase. The Chinuch understands the reason for this mitzvah to be that people are more likely to learn torah when it is easily accessible to them. As a result each person will learn viagra to fear Hashem and they will know and understand the precious mitzvot.

The Ketav Sofer, Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer Schreiber, (Chatam Sofer’s son) suggests a more fundamental basis for this halakha. In his view, the requirement on each individual to write his own Torah reflects an important principle related to Torah study: one must study his or her “own Torah,” rather than simply imitating that of his or her predecessors. Certainly, absorbing information and knowledge transmitted by teachers and parents is indispensable and the very basis of Torah study. After one establishes this foundation, however, she must aspire to write her own Torah, to apply herself diligently and enthusiastically to probe the sacred texts and arrive at her unique understanding, albeit within the limits of the Oral Law. Every student of Torah should establish his or her own place in Torah, rather than simply amassing information. Thus, according to the Ketav Sofer, the mitzva of writing a Sefer Torah does not merely serve to facilitate Torah learning, but reflects the nature and character of that learning.

It is interesting to note that, in Parshat Ki Tavo, the Jewish people as whole were also commanded to write a Sefer Torah as well.

In Devarim, Chapter 27, the Torah says:
You shall inscribe on them all the words of this Torah, when you cross over the Jordan.

And a few p’sukim later, the Torah says:
You shall inscribe on the stones all the words of this Torah, well clarified.

However, a vast difference exists between the two Sifrei Torah. Bnei Yisrael, upon entry into Eretz Yisrael, were required to engrave the entire Torah upon a large stone, where it would serve as a permanent reminder of the covenant between Hashem and his people. The individual Sefer Torah, however, is very different and is to be written on Klaf.

Based upon an idea of the Avnei Nezer, Rabbi Avraham Borenstein (late 19th century – Poland), we can suggest the following distinction between the two situations for our own lives. We have two ways to come closer to God – one through our connection to the Jewish people and participation in its communal activities, especially learning torah. The other is our personal connection through our own attempt to understand God and follow Hashem’s commandments.

The Rambam explains in the last chapter of Hilchot Teshuva that one achieves true love of God through his or her intellectual capacity and Torah study.

The verses in Vayelech which concern the writing of the Torah bracket a series of verses describing Bnei Yisrael’s straying from God’s path after they have entered into Israel.
“This song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten from the mouths of their children; for I know their inclination – how they do even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.”

The Netziv, Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, explains that God says to us that even though I know you will transgress, I am still bringing you into the land of Israel. Therefore know, that I will also redeem you. We see from this verse the that power of learning Torah, learning the shirah, enables us to both maintain hope and ultimately assist us in returning to God.

The importance of learning Torah as part of the Teshuva process can be explicitly understood from Sefer Nechemia in which a fast day is declared for national repentance. In Chapter 9, verses 2 and 3:
And they stood and confessed their sins, and the

iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and they read in the Torah of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and prostrated themselves before the LORD their God.

In the Gemara, Masekhet Rosh Hashana (18a), Chazal teach us that it is written “Seek HaShem when He is to be found – these are the days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom HaKippurim.”

The Rambam in his “Hilchot Teshuvah,” (2:6), goes further and says that this is an opportune time: “Despite the fact that “Teshuvah” and crying out to HaShem are always timely, during the Ten Days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom HaKippurim it is exceedingly appropriate, and is accepted immediately, as it says, in Yishayahu: (55:6) ‘Seek HaShem when He is to be found’.

One way to seek God is through learning Torah. We saw both from Nechemia and from this week’s parsha the power of the Torah , the shirah , to encourage a repair of our relationship with God. Thus, having a sefer Torah handy, as the Chiunch says, is not only a way to prevent transgression, it is also can be part of our return to God.

When I witnessed our Rosh Hashana service a few days ago and I anticipate the excitement of Hashem granting us the opportunity to come close during these days of Repentence, I felt a sense of entitlement. Hashem is actually giving us an opportunity that normally, throughout the year, we are simply not granted. During these Aseret Yemei Teshuva, God invites us to come close.

As the Midrash says, haMelech baSadeh…the King has come to out to the field to meet his subjects. God extends himself during this period and we need to simply find a way for ourselves to meet HaKadosh Baruch Hu half way. Learning Torah as a means of both connecting to God and understanding how we must act in this world is one way for us meet the King as He comes to greet us in the field.

Wishing you all a G’mar Chatima tovah and Shabbat Shalom,

Rosh Kehilah Dina Najman

Kehilat Orach Eliezer will again be hosting free services on the Upper West Side for the High Holidays. No tickets or fees are required for admission. Child care will be available on both days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur day.

Led by our Ro

sh Kehila, Dina Najman, our High Holiday services will feature many of our talented community members as ba’alei tefillah. We will be holding services both days of Rosh Hashanah (Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18), and Yom Kippur night and day (Tuesday-Wednesday, September 25-26.)

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Kehilat Orach Eliezer will again be hosting free services on the Upper West Side for the High Holidays. No tickets or fees are required for admission. Child care will be available on both days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur day.
Led by our Rosh Kehila, Dina Najman, our High Holiday services will feature many of our talented community members as ba’alei tefillah. We will be holding services both days of Rosh Hashanah (Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18), and Yom Kippur night and day (Tuesday-Wednesday, September 25-26.)

All services will be at the Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave. and 103rd St., on New York City’s Upper West Side.Service times are as follows:
First day and second day Rosh Hashanah: Services will start at 9:00 AM. We expect to blow shofar around 12:30 PM.
Yom Kippur night: Services will start at

6:20 PM.
Yom Kippur day: Services will start at 9:00 AM. We expect to reach Yizkor around 1:00 PM.
If you wish to join KOE for the High Holidays, we ask that

you e-mail dberger@koe.org with the names of all attendees.
KOE will also be meeting for the first night of selichot, this Saturday night, September 8, 2012 at 10:00 PM at the home of Rabbi Noah Gradofsky, 435 Riverside Drive, Apt. 41.
Best wishes for a k’tiva v’chatima tovah, and a sweet New Year!
Path:

Notice is hereby given that KOE’s annual meeting will be Motzei Yom Kippur, Wednesday evening September 26, 2012, during the break fast, at:

Hosteling International NY,

891 Amsterdam Avenue (at 103rd Street)

NY NY 10025

Due to circumstances beyond

KOE’s control, davening this Shabbos has been cancelled, and will be rescheduled for a future

date.

KOE will be meeting for Shabbat morning services for Parshat Chukat on June 30, 2012 at the home of Rob and Jessica Sacks, 241 W. 97th St. Apt.

7K. Services

will be followed by a kiddush with motzi. If you would like to sponsor kiddush, please e

mail info@koe.org or contact Dov Berger. If you are planning to attend please let us know by emailing info@koe.org.