Torah Online - Cyberspace Chabura of Online Torah



Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Contribution: Essay for Yom Kippur

This very solemn and holy day, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), is observed on the tenth day of the month of Tishri. The destiny of all of mankind, is sealed by the Heavenly Court. The deeds of every man are considered and weighed.

Sins are forgiven. If anyone seeks our forgiveness for having wronged us, we must not cruelly refuse him/her, we must grant him/her forgiveness willingly, and wholeheartedly.

We must follow the ways of HaShem by being slow to anger and easily appeased. we should not seek revenge, nor bear a grudge against anyone who wrongs us. If we harbor enmity in our hearts, our prayers will not be heard in Heaven on Yom Kippur; but if we are forgiving, all our sins will be forgiven by HaShem.

Some Orthodox Jews ask some one, usually the Shamesh (sexton) of the synogogue, to strike them thirty-nine times with an old Tefillin strap. This is a self inflicted punishment for sins committed.

Many people bring large candles to the synagogue, which are lit in memory of departed persons.

Some Jews chose for their ransom Kapparah usually a chicken. The men chose roosters and the women hens; they swung the fowl above their heads three times, reciting; "This fowl is my substitute and my ransom, and it shall be killed that I may survive for a long and peaceful life." The fowl is killed and cooked, and served at the fast meal on erev Yom Kippur.

I can still remember my mother and her mother doing this and I will never forget as long as I live, when the hen had an egg fly out and it landed on my mom's head.

Kapparot is either performed in the morning or the night before Yom Kippur, my Mom and her mother always did it on the night before and always used white hens.

Kol Nidre which was written in Aramaic starts before sunset. before the Kol Nidre service, men put on a tallit. Pious men generally put on white robes (Kittel), which stands for purity and innocence. The Kittel also serves as a reminder of humility to soften arrogant hearts, because white robes are used for burial. The women too usually dress in white. The scroll of the Torah are draped in white mantles, white curtains, the tables are decked with white covers, and many lights are lit.

The Rabbi appeals to the congregation to be mindful of the great importance of Yom Kippur. He exhorts them to return to G-D and Torah and their culture. Also tzedekah is asked for as well.

The al het prayer is usually recited eight times during Yom Kippur, twice at the evening service, and six times during the day services.


By giving Tzedekah and praying, the living are able to lighten the judgement of the dead in the world to come, and return the pious souls of the departed plead for the living ones who remember them.

After the fast, a light meal is eaten, and everyone is happy and confident that the New Year will bring happiness, health, and salvation for Israel.

Contributed by: Shira64 (Screenname used on www.paltalk.com)

Friday, September 15, 2006

Parsha of the Week: Nitzavim/Vayeilech

1. Nitzavim/ Vayeilech

by Geller, Rabbi Avi
Lecture is approx. 73 minutes.
Click here to listen with Windows Media Player

A description of this class as found on
Aish Audio

Rabbi Avi Geller presents the five central books of Judaism with lively enthusiasm and humor. Each talk covers all the events of the weekly Torah portion, plus major commentaries and basic concepts and tenets of Judaism.

2. Parasha Nitzvim Vayalach

by Rabbi Dov Ber Weisman
(from Torah from Dixie in Atlanta, Georgia)
Lecture is approx. 59 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player

3. Parashas Nitzavim

by Rabbi Yissocher Frand
(of Yad Yechiel Foundation. (telephone 1 410 358 0416 in usa)
Lecture is approx. 17 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player

4. "Who Am I?" I'm A Servant Of Hashem"

by Rabbi Yochana Zweig
http://www.talmudicu.edu
Lecture is approx. 54 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player
Click here to download.

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Month of Elul and High Holidays Page 3

For the 2nd page of lectures (#12-15) click here.


16. Trust in Hashem - Best Preparation for Elul

by Rabbi Shaya Cohen
(given at Young Israel of Beverly Hills tape by Ivan Norman)

Lecture is approx. 82 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player


17. How to Utilize Elul

by Rabbi Shlomo Kaplan
(of Aish Hatorah-Call in USA 1 800 VOICES 3 for info)
Lecture is approx. 27 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player

18. Psalm 27 LeDavid Hashem Ori


by Rabbi Baruch Gradon
Lecture is approx. 52 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player

{For an English translation to Psalm 27, click here. }

19. Rosh Hashana: The Meaning of Life (What is the Jewish Meaning of Life)

by Rabbi Zev Leff of Aish Hatorah
Lecture is approx. 62 minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Month of Elul and High Holidays Page 2

For the first page of lectures (#1-11) click here.

12. Inscribing Oneself in the Book of Life (Rosh Hashana)


by Rabbi Yitzchok Kirzner z'l
Length of Lecture is approx. 60 Minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player


13. You , Me , God and Everything

by David Sacks
Length of Lecture is approx. 35 Minutes
Click here to listen with Real Player

Hear Emmy Award Winning TV Writer speak about how to get ready for Rosh Hashanah . Mr. Sacks has written for "The Simpsons" and now writes for "Third Rock from the Sun". Given on August 30 , 1998 in Beverly Hills , Los Angeles for the Happy Minyan

14 &15. Selicos Talk - Hasidus, Teshuva and more

by Rav H. Reichman, given in Great Neck New York
Length of Lecture is approx. 57 Minutes (note: File says that it is 95 Minutes)

Click here to listen with Real Player


Selicos Talk - Hasidus, Teshuva and more Tape 2

by Rav H. Reichman, given in Rabbi Adler's Shul
Length of Lecture is approx. 50 Minutes (File says that it is 95 Minutes)
Click here to listen with Real Player

Labels: ,

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Countdown to Rosh Hashana

To see a countdown to approximately the day before Rosh Hashana click this link and then scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Update: Lectures for the Month of Elul and the High Holidays

Lectures #4-11 were added to the "Lectures for the Month Elul" blog page.

Labels: ,


 

Who links to me? Check PageRank


View My Stats