A Word From The Rabbi

Dear Friend,

The Torah portion of Nitzavim is always read the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. "You are standing today, all of you, before the L-rd your G‑d," it begins, and the theme of Jewish unity, as preparation for the New Year continues. "Today" refers to Rosh Hashana, and "standing" refers to the way the Jewish People approach the Day of Judgement, upright and secure that we will be judged favorably, for we stand as one and are unified in the mitzva of loving our fellow Jew.

It is this special unity which gives the Jewish people the strength to endure, and it is the vessel in which G‑d's blessings are fulfilled. The Midrash likens this to a bundle of straw: each one, individually, is weak and can be easily broken, but once the straw is gathered into a bundle and bound together it is impossible to make it bend. So it is with the Jewish people. When we are bound together with each other, "the leaders of your tribes...till your water carriers," we stand powerful and secure in the face of our enemies.

The Jews are also powerfully united with G‑d, as it says, "a portion of G‑d is with him." But if such is the case, how is it possible for any bad to befall the Jews? This only occurs if the individual Jew himself causes a tiny rift in that bond with G‑d and allows external factors to enter. It is this self-induced damage in the relationship between G‑d and His people which brings about a lack of unity and makes the Jews vulnerable to harm. When peace and unity reign the Jews are impervious to attack.

Maintaining this unity also guards against these tiny cracks appearing in the individual's relationship with G‑d. A person is not always able to perceive his own shortcomings because of his self-love. A true friend, however, can lovingly help his friend become aware of these shortcomings and encourage him to overcome his deficiencies.

This is one of the reasons Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch encouraged his followers to acquire a friend for this specific purpose—to encourage and inspire each other. He explained that when two Jews unite to improve themselves and their relationship with G‑d, their two G‑dly souls are fighting only one Evil Inclination, and it is far easier to emerge victorious.

If this was true several generations ago during the lifetime of Rabbi Dov Ber, it is so much more applicable in our own times, when we have fallen that much lower spiritually. How much more important it is for us to maintain that unity, for we need all the help we can get to fight the negative influences in the modern world.

Unfortunately, tiny cracks in the Jews' bond with their Father are more likely to appear during times of relative affluence. The threat of persecution was not as harmful to our Jewishness as are the temptations of affluence and comfort. It is much easier to deteriorate spiritually in a prosperous climate than when the outside world threatens our very physical existence.

We must therefore not only maintain our adherence to the Torah but we must also strive to perform mitzvot with a special love and devotion. Doing mitzvot in this manner gives us the strength and determination to guard against anything which threaten our eternal bond with G‑d, both from within and from without.

                                                                                                                                                               Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Wishing you a successful week,

Rabbi Yudy Shemtov
Senior Rabbi/Executive Director