Community of HaShem, Worldwide Celebrates New Moon and Trumpet Tishrei 5780

                                                                                          [September/October 2019].

Shalom,

This is a season of joy, and my heart is totally filled, exceedingly, with joy. Tishrei is here. Tishrei, is the seventh month of the ecclesiastical calendar in the count that begins from Nisan, and it occurs in September-October of the Gregorian calendar. Tishrei the month of the Temple dedication. Tishrei the month of the holiest day in all Judaism. Tishrei the month of our harvest festival of Ingathering.

Solomon at the time of the dedication of the Holy Temple was filled with such profound joy, as it is written:
“So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the Brook of Egypt. And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away unto their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that HaShem had shown unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.”
(1st Kings 8:55&56; also 2nd Chronicles 7:8&9).

Indeed Solomon’s joy was for a good reason, because HaShem answered his prayers and spoke to him after his supplications saying:
“I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; if My people, upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there for ever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.”
(2nd Chronicles 7:12-16).

These auspicious invocations of God’s enduring peace and covenant of perpetual goodness and prosperity were made at the time of the dedication of the Temple, in the month of Tishrei, and they stand perennial, as an everlasting ordinance unto us, and unto all Israel. Historically, before the Babylonian Exile, the month of Tishrei popularly known as Ethanim (see 1st Kings 8:2). The word Tishrei which came into use afterwards, literally means and translates to “Beginning” from the instance of “To begin.” Tishrei really is a time and a season of many beginnings. Tishrei is considered the “head” of the year, and the reservoir from which we draw our strength and inspiration throughout the year ahead.

Tishrei holds within its season three spectacular festivals and appointed times, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Tishrei is the season of Creation, and Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of the day that God created man; the High Holy Days, Yom Kippur, the day that God gives us an opportunity of reconciliation, of repentance and return to Him, the day He inscribes our names in the Book of Life; and Sukkot is the culmination of our gratitude to Him for His Eternal goodness, we celebrate this goodness by rejoicing before His presence for seven days with the Four Species and living in Succah – Booths, acknowledging His benevolence and providence. Above all, the month of Tishrei present us opportunities to connect, to be inspired, and to become more fulfilled and in tune with our true inner selves in our journey with God.

May the Eternal, HaShem, the God of our fore fathers grant that this month and season bring us an abundance of blessings, may He hear our cries and supplications from heaven, may He forgive our sins and draw us back to Him again. May He who answered Solomon and said: “Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there for ever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.”; hear our prayers and supplications in this auspicious month and season of Tishrei, to fight our battles and save our lives from the devouring enemies that plunder and ravage our lands. May the Eternal, heal our land and grant us His shalom. Selah – Amen.

I wish you a most wonderful new moon Tishrei.
A blessed Rosh Hashanah! A Happy New a year!
A fulfilling Yom Kippur. And a happy Sukkot!

L’ shanah Tovah!
Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim. ~ “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!”