Spirituality Acura of Troy wishes our customers and friends a most HAPPY NEW YEAR Torah Portion A Time For Repentance, An Opportunity For Peace Interestingly, considering the situation of our people Israel today, Rashi states that the angels pleaded with HaShem not to save Ishmael because his off- spring would later be responsible for the persecution and murder of many Jewish people. HaShem, however, responds by - saying that He judges man only as he he month of Elul is classi- is at the moment. This shows us that cally designated as a month when HaShem examines each person of personal reflection, a to see if they deserve mercy, He only time when we look closely _ judges us at the time of repentance. at the sins we have committed, Before Yom Kippur, the time when preparing to ask God and our fellow the fate of each of us is human beings to forgive our sealed, there are 10 days weaknesses. that HaShem gives us to ask The first day of Rosh for forgiveness. The first Hashanah is when one's day of Rosh Hashanah mindset must change — defines a time when person- from one of rumination into al prayer becomes a very an internal plea for crucial step toward HaShem's mercy for trans- HaShem's grace. Only the gressions committed during kavanah (meaning) that one the past year. Even individu- puts in prayer is being als who have committed a judged and not the number LEONARD large number of sins have the of sins that one has com- GUTMAN chance for forgiveness by the mitted or will commit. Special to the Almighty if their prayers are Proper prayer can overturn Jewish News full of true intent. HaShem's judgment (Rosh The Torah portion that is Hashanah 16b). read on the first day of Rosh One must realize that we, as the Hashanah illustrates some very impor- Jewish people, differ from Ishmael in tant components of HaShem's mercy. HaShem's eyes, and, therefore, our After Sarah gives birth to Isaac, she form of repentance has an extra ele- .is very relieved that Ishmael, son of ment. Our unique inheritance as Hagar, would not be Abraham's heir Jewish people is our special closeness to whom the birthright and inheri- to God and, therefore, the added tance of the Jewish people would be opportunity for joy in serving him. passed. She decides to expel Hagar Despite the solemnity in the meaning and Ishmael into the desert of of the day, Rosh Hashanah is consid- Beersheba. ered a Yom Tov. Lacking food and water, Hagar As Rabbi Yosef Edelstein wrote, wept for her son's life. Ishmael, too, "Reflect on your life and its direction cried for salvation. It is written that on Rosh Hashanah a line of Hashem heard the cries of Ishmael thought that might well lead you to- and performed a miracle, creating a worry (or weep). But above all well to save Ishmael's life. REJOICE." Among the many things to be The joy that we Jews experience learned from this section of the Rosh during the days of our judgment is Hashanah Torah portion, two stand primary is separating God's chosen out. First is the emphasis on the people from all other nations. importance of personal prayer. Pray from your heart, and may we Though the verse only mentions all find peace in the coming year. the fact that Hagar was weeping, it tells us that it was Ishmael's cry that HaShem heard. Rashi wrote that this distinction teaches us a person's heart- felt prayer for himself is preferable to others praying for him, and is sooner to be heard. Second, it is noted that the descen- What examples can you recall dents of Ishmael would later become from the Bible of the success of the Arab population of today. personal prayer? In what ways can we ask for forgiveness and thereby obtain true repentance? Leonard Gutman is the ritual director Shabbat Rosh Hashanah First Day: Genesis 21:1- 34; Numbers 29:1-6; I Samuel 1: 1-2: 10. T Introducing the 7-passenger Acura MDX. It's big. Big enough to comfortably transport seven people to the most remote of locations (that actually do echo). And its unique 4-wheel-drive system can get you there and back safely, even, when the road takes a turn for the worst. BIG BEAVER 0 QVACURA Acura of Troy MAPLELAWN 8 0 MAPLE _ Fs 1828 Maplelawn in the Troy Motor Mall (248) 643-0900 650470 411111111111111111 • L'shanah Tovah att cm Cu/A(1~o a Meath* and Nam* New "Wax Awn . 177,0t 48 aitian g —Ce Jitaftfriale and Dail-4cl (Beat and asooriate./3 The Full Service Mortgage Lender Perfect or Less than perfect Credit Purchases • Refinancing • Construction • Renovation • Conventional • FHA • Jumbo • Bill Consolidation • Investment • 2nd Homes • Zero Down Puchases ❑ IX FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE 32100 Telegraph Rd. • Suite 205 Bingham Farms, Ml 48025 -877-F1RST-YES (347-7893) www.firstalliance.com *PK 9/ 6 2002 116 Conversations at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.