Hi,
Hope you’re having a great day.
… As you probably know by now, I love finding lessons in every day life.
Even, when possible, from sports.
I saw this a few months ago and decided to save it for Rosh Hashanah!
It’s about something that’s been in the news a lot this past year.
Instant replays.
A Rabbi I know was watching a hockey game.
And the ball sailed right by the goalie and hit the net.
Goal!
The crowd went crazy!
Then the screen showed the same goal being scored. But from a different angle.
From behind the goalie.
And then it showed it a third time from a different angle.
What struck the Rabbi?
How different the same thing looks when seen from different angles.
… This is something we should think about as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah.
As we try to become better people and better Jews.
And as we ask G-d to judge us favorably.
Because sometimes we see someone doing something.
And we “judge them”.
“That was a terrible thing to do! They should know better!”
You know what we should do?
Push pause. Step back.
Go to “instant relay”.
And take another look at what that person did.
Look at it from a different angle.
Because you may get a whole different perspective.
And you may not have seen what you thought you saw.
… If we can get used to doing that?
Not only will we become better people? And less judgmental?
But it will put us in a better position to “make our case” on Rosh Hashanah.
When we ask G-d to judge us favorably!
And that is after all, to borrow again from hockey, the…
Goal!
… Speaking about looking at things from a different angle?
I wanted to make sure you knew about some wonderful opportunities to see Rosh Hashanah from a different angle. And to help make this your most meaningful Rosh Hashanah ever!
First, it is not too late to register for tomorrow’s “Lunch Learn & Mitzvah”. It’s a combination, great lunch, great learning and great mitzvah!
Join me for an informal workshop, “The High Holidays… Bringing Them Down to Earth”.
The food is supplied by KJ Café which is staffed by young adults of Keshet.
… Giving dignity and respect to people with special needs is an incredible mitzvah!
And a great way to prepare for Rosh Hashanah!
Please register now at www.torahnetwork.org/register.htm
And once we’re prepared, we’ve got two great options for Rosh Hashanah Services at CTN next Thursday.
First, there’s my two hour User Friendly Learning Service.
It’s not a complete service. Instead, I take select prayers and share insights into their meaning as well as nuggets of inspiration.
Put it this way: If you enjoy my Torah Minutes, you will love this service!
For more details, please see www.torahnetwork.org/rh.htm And to register, please use www.torahnetwork.org/register.htm
The second Service, is for those who would like to be part of a full traditional service … but need a little help. And we’ve a really great option for you too!
This year, CTN has arranged for some seats at the almost nothing price of only $25 at our wonderful neighbors in Congregation Shaarei Tzedek, right here in the same building as CTN.
You can experience a warm, passionate and uplifting service with beautiful singing.
Hear a very relevant and inspiring sermon.
And to top it off?
We’ll arrange for a CTN volunteer to be sitting right next to you to give you a hand and help you follow the Service!
For more information about this amazing opportunity, please email me at rabbikatz@torahnetwork.org
All the best,
Rabbi Moshe Katz
Director
ChicagoTorah Network
2832W. Touhy Avenue
Chicago,IL60645
P 773. 761. 0400 ext. 201
F 773. 761. 9262