Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

The Torah is specific in that we do not know where Moses is buried. This was to avoid us praying to Moses. We celebrate his spiritual teachings, not his physical body.

The final judgement is given on Simhat Torah. The reason is it will show if we really meant it when we repented on Yom Kippur.

Just as Joshua built upon the foundation laid by Moses, we should learn that we build upon the foundation of those who came before us. As we build we make it better than it was.

On Yom Kippur Eve we recite the blessing that we are permitted to pray with criminals. The reason for this is that even though they might be criminals, they are with the community.

We are responsible for our behavior. If we behave better, then those around us will too. This is how we improve society. Not from the top down but from the bottom up.

Hamas is the modern version of Amalek. They are even worse than the Nazis. The Nazis hid their intentions. Hamas gloried in theirs and broadcast what they did. It was illegal for a German to rape a Jewish woman. Hamas gloried in it.

Jonah tries to run away from his mission to save Ninevah. The reason is that he knows in about 100 years Ninevah will destroy the 10 Northern Tribes. God reminds him that He is in charge. That the 10 Tribes will receive punishment for their actions.

We lost our Temple and independence because we did not treat each other with due respect. We did the offerings in the Temple correctly but that is not what God really wants. He wants us to show the world how to behave ethically.

We received the ability to reason, to know right from wrong. Therefore, we have to remember that we will be judged for our actions by God. All should be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year,

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we are reminded of the need to ask forgiveness from our loved ones. We have to remember that God will not forgive us if we don’t first make it right with our fellow man.