Jewish Holidays

We have the custom to blow the shofar throughout the month of Elul as a preparation for Rosh HaShanah. The shofar comes to wake us up but also to gather us together in order that we can return to God together.

Without a doubt, the most severe of the many negative effects resulting from Israel's loss of independence was a sense of national inferiority. This feeling gave rise to a desire to mimic the behavior of the nations and to adopt their viewpoints.

If we all strive to see the positive qualities of the land of Israel and its divine, spiritual value; if we feel happy to live in Israel, we will be able to rectify the Sin of the Spies which delayed our forefathers' entrance into the land.

The enthusiasm which accompanies falling in love is actually meant to help a person take the monumental step of getting married. Such emotion, however, does not guarantee a happy marriage. Good traits and shared goals are much more important.

Why did R' Akiva alone laugh? Certainly he was not the only one of the sages to believe in the future redemption. What's more, when the Temple sits in ruins one must mourn the situation even if something good is bound to come out of it in the future.