Rav Elimelech Biderman relates that someone once asked Rav Avigdor Miller how he should prepare for the judgment of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rav Miller replied, “Smile.” He then explained: “How does smiling grant someone a good judgment? I will explain with a mashal: Someone owns a chain of stores. At the end of each year he takes inventory, and decides what changes have to be made for the upcoming year. Some stores will need more advertising, some employees will be laid off, and so on. The proprietor’s advisor said, ‘Even if you let go of some employees, don’t fire this one. He always has a smile on his face, which gives the consumers a good feeling. There are people who come to the store just to see him and be greeted by his smile. We need him around.’
Similarly, at the end of the year Hashem takes inventory of His world to make determinations for the year ahead. If someone always has a smile on his or her face, bringing joy to others, he or she has positioned themselves as an indispensable asset to the world, and Hashem will take that into consideration when making a determination for the year ahead.”
We are blessed to live in a large, vibrant community. Our Yeshiva Mizrachi family is comprised of hundreds of people. On the one hand, that affords us countless opportunities like diverse friendships, multiple minyanim, extensive programming, and more. At the same time, however, the larger our community gets, the harder it is to know others and to feel you matter.
In advising large religious institutions Rick Warren, describes our mission as growing larger and smaller at the same time. We grow larger by attracting more people and families who share our vision, our values and our mission, but we must simultaneously grow smaller by providing programs, opportunities and experiences in which people know each other, feel they belong, and connect with others.
In the Kelm yeshiva, a sign would hang during the month of Elul:
In theory, we should have to recite Birchat HaGomel, the blessing on surviving a life-threatening situation, after the Yamim Noraim, since traversing this time of the year is no less dangerous than crossing the desert. However, we cannot know with certainty that in fact we have made it through and so we cannot recite the bracha. What is the strategy to come out on the other side healthy, safe and secure? The strategy is the same as necessary to survive a trek across the desert. People who cross a dangerous area need to travel in groups, rely on one another, and support one another. Similarly, to triumph in these days of awe, we need to recommit to togetherness, unity and mutual support and love.
A parent is especially flexible and forgiving towards a child when they see that child show devotion to his or her siblings. The same is true with Avinu Shebashomayim, our Father in Heaven. We will soon stand before Him, imperfect with shortcomings, failures and disappointments. We will ask forgiveness and pledge to do better to be attentive to His needs and more compliant with what He wants from us. Like a father, He will be quicker to forgive and more generous with His love and affection if we show our dedication and devotion to His other children, namely, our neighbors and friends.
As the New Year unfolds before us, my wife, family and I would like express our excitement in the incredible opportunity we have in being part of this community. We want to thank each and every one for their partnership, brotherhood and are looking forward to strengthening our special kehilla together.
Wishing you and your family a Ketiva Ve’chatima Tova.
Rabbi Alon, Daniella,Gavriel,Yonatan, Liat and Benyamin