The Shabbos before Yom Kippur is called Shabbos Shuvah, which literally translated means “Shabbos of Return.” This alludes to the final redemption, which will usher in the World to Come – an era that will be completely and exclusively Shabbos.
By calling the Shabbos before Yom Kippur by this name, we express our hope that the final redemption will arrive. In this way, Shabbos will immediately return to the world – and this time, it will last forever! ~ Degel Machaneh Efraim
Why do the Days of Repentance immediately follow Rosh Hashanah? On Rosh Hashanah everyone does teshuvah mentally, regretting his failings and resolving to turn over a new leaf. But this is not enough. Teshuvah must also be done in a practical manner, through good and charitable deeds. Many of these cannot be carried out on Yom Tov. We can set things right during the weekdays of the Ten Days of Teshuvah. ~ Avnei Nezer
Giving tzedakah on erev Rosh Hashana is considered a great mitzvah. In fact, as a result of Jews giving tzedakah, the Heavenly Gates of Mercy are opened wide. For in the same measure that we take pity on the poor, Hashem takes pity on us. ~ Ohr Hachayim
On that note, I just wanted to remind you to set yourself up with one or both of these wonderful organizations before Rosh Hashanah to ensure that a day does not go by the entire year without giving tzedaka.
Daily Giving – https://dailygiving.org/
Sign up to donate $1 per day to charity, which they will distribute to over 40 wonderful charities that serve the greater Jewish community, most of which you are probably familiar with. I encourage you all to check out their website. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
Keren Hashana – https://www.lubavitch.com/donate/keren-hashana/
Many years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe established “Keren Hashana,” a fund that will also disburse your tzedaka to worthy causes, daily, giving you the benefit of this mitzvah every day of the year!
You can give as little as 5 cents per day ($19.20 for the year) for you, and if you want, each of your family members, which will ensure that you and your family don’t go a day without giving tzedaka.
Don’t wait! These organizations are a lifesaver and now is the time to take care of this.
Lastly, don’t forget that “causing others to give tzedaka is greater than giving tzedakah yourself” (Bava Basra 9). Therefore, pass this on! By forwarding this to friends and family, who knows how many people will sign up for this great mitzvah and how much of an effect it will have on your neshama going into Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
A person should not let a single day pass by without articulating, at least once, “I love You, Hashem.” ~ R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l
A person must work to make a living for the family. Hands should be busy with that. But the mind should be in Heaven. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe zt”l
An individual is called upon to realize that everything that happens to him, whether by the hand of his parents, or siblings, or other relatives, or friends really comes from God, and these individuals are merely messengers carrying out God’s Divine plan. ~ Zohar II 198a
We have the choice. U’vacharta bachaim – choose life. Every one of us is invested with the power to choose good from bad, right from wrong.
We were given the choice at the start of the path and now we have the choice to turn back and start again.
If we have the choice, then it’s our battle. Along with the choice comes the power.
It’s very hard, sometimes, but we have to internalize that the ability to change is a reality: and this is the moment of truth.
We might slip and stumble, but our job is to engage in battle and try. ~ R’ Elya Brudny
This is a lesson that one should live by: Treat your friends as you do your art-work and your pictures, and always make sure to place them in the best light. ~ R’ Yisrael M’Kazakov zt”l
Simcha means the inner joy that has nothing to do with laughter and music and everything to do with knowledge that you’re connected to something bigger, something that really counts.
It doesn’t mean things will always be easy or go smoothly, but it does mean you’re living reality – and there’s no better feeling. ~ R’ Chaim Rosenfeld
The most beautiful things cannot be seen – they can only be felt with the heart. ~ The Kotzker Rebbe zt”l
Emuna Daily 