Page 3 - The Jewish Voice - October '19

The Jewish Voice, Page 3

From the Rabbis from page 2 when someone understands and appreciates logically and is beyond being able to make sense within the confines of
rationally how they personally derive benefit from the logic, that is when we bring on a limitless deep sense of
During this holiday when the Temple was still standing service, this would seem to have greater personal value existence and meaning, of joy, personal fulfillment, and
in Jerusalem, there was a great celebration that is recorded and enjoyment. happiness.
in the Talmud. “Whoever did not see this celebration never However, we see that the great joy did not come as I recently wrote a meme: Happiness is the expansion
saw joy in their lives.” The root of this joy came from a result and in conjunction with the pouring of the wine of self. Happiness expands our boundaries. Joy is the
a practice of rather than only pouring wine on the altar, that was performed all year long, rather from the pouring dissolving of self. Skin barriers disappear, the self is
they would also pour water. and the service of the water. forgotten. Total self-abnegation brings intense, deep joy.
Wine and water represent two very different Deep and powerful joy is the result of an occurrence Happiness is good; joy is a deeper, richer experience.
approaches to serving G-d. Wine has its own inherent taste or experience very unexpected, beyond any expectations When we connect with each other through the spirit of
and is enjoyed differently by each person according to his or even understanding. That is why it moves a person G-dliness and true spirituality, we communicate in a flow
or her specific palate and appreciation for the drink. This beyond his or her own limitations. We see when someone of total encompassing inexplicable warmth and feeling.
represents serving G-d with logic and rational thinking, is completely overwhelmed with joy they will jump, sing, There is exhilaration in the air and even in a cold sukkah,
each person according to their own specific level of talk, and bubble with energy even if usually this behavior and even if it is only a child and he happens to be sleeping,
appreciation, i.e., depth and breadth. is totally not their nature. the energy is contagious and will rub off and remain in
Water on the other hand has no taste. It is the same for In order for someone to bring on a joy that carries them his or her being for generations to come.
everyone. This represents the service of G-d that comes beyond their regular self, the cause and reason for such Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui is spiritual leader of Chabad
from dedicating and committing oneself totally, self- joy must also be beyond personal limitations. As long as House Lubavitch of Palm Beach. Contact him at
sacrifice, beyond understanding or any individual logic. it all makes sense to me, my happiness will be contained Rabbi@chabadpalmbeach.org, 624-7004, or www.
This is a service of G-d where the self is set aside and it within my own boundaries. chabadpalmbeach.org.
goes beyond anything personal. When I have, however, given of myself totally for
At first, this method seems dry and subservient, while something worthwhile and meaningful and the dedication Greetings for the New Year

By Rabbi Paul Arberman
There are many different
customs for greeting each
other on Rosh Hashanah.
Ashkenazi Je ws sa y
“L’Shana Tova Ti’kateivu
v’Tekhateimu,” “May you
be written and sealed [in
the Book of Life] for a good
year.”
Many Sephardic Jews
2019-2020 greet each other with
“L’shana Tova Ti’kateiv, Tizku l’shanim rabbot,” “You
Jewish Federation should be written for a good year, and you should merit
many years.” The response to this greeting is “Tizke
v’Tikhye v’Taarikh Yamim,” “You should merit, and you
should live, and you should lengthen days [a long life].”
In other words, “right back at you!”
This has been a difficult year for the Jewish people
— a year of threats to Israel, of rising anti-Semitism,
signatureevents and of radical Islam. So some new greetings might be
appropriate. “Shanah shel nechama,” means “a year of
comfort.” May it be a year to explore in a deeper way what
it means to comfort and support those who experience
turmoil in their lives.
Or, perhaps, “Shanah Hazakah, a year of strength.”
Business & Professionals Celebrating Philanthropy: We need strength and resolve to work on the values that
and NextGen Kickoff Event A Major Gifts Event are important to us. May it be a year in which we come
to understand our amazing ability to change the world
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 – 6 p.m. Monday, February 10, 2020 – 6 p.m. with our hands, with our wallets, and with our voices.
Lake Pavilion, West Palm Beach Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center, Or even, “Shanah shel Ahavah, a year of love.” Every
Featured Speaker: Kasa Bainesay-Harbor West Palm Beach day we recite the Shema in our prayers, which is followed
Israeli Deputy Consul General Featured Speaker: Michael Solomonov by the paragraph: “V’ahavta” (“And you shall love”). It
James Beard Award-Winning Chef reminds us that listening is a prerequisite for love. To
Women’s Season Opener Honoree: Judith A. Levy build the kind of bonds we need, between people and
Thursday, December 12, 2019 – 5:30 p.m. Honorary Chairs: Rita & Charles Bronfman groups who are quite different from one another, we need
The National Croquet Center, Chairs: Hope & Gene Silverman to listen if we are to move toward love.
West Palm Beach Minimum Gift to Attend: $10,000 Our greetings are important. They set the tone for
Featured Speaker: Susan Solomont our daily lives and relationships. I wish you a Shanah
Nechamah, a year of comfort, Shanah Hazakah, a year of
Author, Lost and Found in Spain: Reach for the Ruby strength, and a Shanah shel Ahavah, a year of connection
Tales of an Ambassador’s Wife Tuesday, February 18, 2020 and love. May our greetings strengthen the bonds between
Chair: Sandy Krakoff Private Home us and shape our communities. May they lead us toward

King David Society Dinner Women’s Applause Luncheon a Shanah Tovah, a year of goodness and peace.
Paul Arberman is the spiritual leader at Temple Beth

Tuesday, January 14, 2020 – 6 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2020 – 11:30 a.m. David in Palm Beach Gardens
The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach Fountains Country Club, Lake Worth
Featured Speaker: Deborah Lipstadt Chairs: Judith Javer and Sandra Kant
American Historian and Author, H. Irwin Levy Founders Dinner Attention Readers
Denying the Holocaust and
The Eichmann Trial Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Chairs: Penny & Harold Blumenstein, Featured Speaker: Dr. Rick Hodes This Jewish Community newspaper
Linda & Myron Teitelbaum Medical Director, American Jewish Joint
Minimum Gift to Attend: $25,000 Distribution Committee (JDC) in Ethiopia is monthly direct mailed to 8,000
Chair: Stacey Levy
Lion of Judah Luncheon Minimum Gift to Attend: $50,000 homes. Please support your Jewish
Monday, January 27, 2020 – 11:30 a.m.
High Ridge Country Club, Lantana businesses and newspaper by
Featured Speaker: Marlee Matlin
Academy Award-Winning Actress and Activist advertising and sending your
Chairs: Gigi Aron and Penni Weinberg
Minimum Gift to Attend: $6,000 events and photos!
We appreciate your business.

See the full list of upcoming events at
jewishpalmbeach.org/upcoming 561-741-7770
or call 561.242.6612
www.seabreezepublications.com