Rosh Hashana

“This revered day is the reason for the existence of the world, and it therefore deserves to be a holiday. However, because it is the day whereupon all creatures are judged, one should approach it with more trepidation than any of the other holidays.”

Insights into the Rosh Hashana Musaf - Halacha and Hashkafa

Abraham, a "father of many nations," could not imagine that the greatness he was to acquire through the binding of his son would remain a personal possession and not make its impact felt upon the other young men, the servants that were with him.

The day before Rosh Hashanah is the last day of the year, and it is the last opportunity to repent before the Day of Judgment. It is a day of reflection on the year gone by, and a day of preparation for the coming year.

The Jerusalem Talmud relates that the enemies once heard Jews blowing the shofar during morning prayers. They thought it was a war cry and attacked the worshipers. Therefore, the sages instituted that the shofar be blown during the Mussaf prayers.

The verse “One thing I asked of God” represents the essence of our spiritual task in the month of Elul. “That I dwell in the House of God all the days of my life” - just this. No confusion. When this is the case, Divine assistance is granted.