Kol Israel Voice

     Rambam formulates the misvah of shofar in two different ways: On one occasion, he says that we are commanded “to hear the sound of the shofar on the first day of Tishri.” On another occasion, he writes that we are commanded “to hear the wailing sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.” Since Rambam was exceedingly meticulous in his writing, it is curious that the varied his language.
     The different formulations articulate different aspects of the misvah of shofar. The misvah of the shofar is, on the one hand, a physical act. It involves blowing and listening, the mouth and the ears. One who has not heard the sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah has not fulfilled his obligation.    The misvah is not complete by the performance of physical act. Rambam’s second formulation addresses the subjective aspect of the shofar. The shofar is meant to arouse in us awe, fear, uneasiness and introspection. If we do not focus on that, Rambam is telling us, we have failed to fulfill the misvah in its entirety.
     The shofar, therefore, is comprised of an external physical act joined together with a subjective emotion. Like many other misvot, the complete fulfillment of the shofar demands both action and heart. As we prepare for the holidays and as we spend much time in synagogue and around the table with ritual items, it is important to remember to engage our hearts and emotions and not let the misvot we perform remain as empty rituals.
                                                                                Rabbi Raymond Harari

Welcome back to all our members for a most interesting and exciting 5771.
          On behalf of all the Rabbis and committee I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
          In describing my first few months as president, it was full of apprehension, worry, and stress but in the end rewarding.
          Three days after being elected, I met with the treasurer. I was surprised to find out we were 3 months in arrears on all salaries and had only enough money to pay for the utilities and food bills for the current period.
           If that wasn’t enough the next morning I received a certified letter from the bank that holds the mortgage on the expansion house. They wanted to renegotiate or cancel the note immediately. I also found out we only had enough money in the account for 2 more monthly interest payments.
          While I was trying to absorb all this, within the same hour something happen to change my outlook. A woman from our congregation called and told me she would like to start the ladies committee again. She said “I will do whatever I can to help the congregation, let me know”. Within the next week, unsolicited I received 10 more calls with the same intent “I will do whatever I can to help the synagogue.”
          I felt a new spirit and enthusiasm from everyone who called. Within the next month we started the cook book program again, we solved the bank problem, we instituted a repair program on the expansion house so it could be self sustaining until we decide a cause of action. Members came forward and lent the shul money, others paid their membership bills.
          The spirit in the synagogue has been renewed by the many members who came forth with their help.
          We must continue with this positive attitude, if we do and stay united in our efforts we can accomplish whatever we want.
          Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

                                                          Albert M. Dweck