This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim ("the Shabbat that blesses" the new month): a special prayer is recited blessing the Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") of the upcoming month of Elul, which falls on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Prior to the blessing, we announce the precise time of the molad, the "birth" of the new moon. See molad times.
See, I give you today a blessing and a curse (Deuteronomy 11:26)
Freedom of choice has been granted to every man: if he desires to turn toward a good path and be righteous, the ability to do so is in his hands; and if he desires to turn toward an evil path and be wicked, the ability to do so is in his hands . . .
This concept is a fundamental principle and a pillar of the Torah and its commandments. As it is written [Deuteronomy 30:15]: "See, I have set before you life [and good, and death and evil]" and "See, I set before you today [a blessing and a curse]." . . . For were G‑d to decree that a person be righteous or wicked, or if there were to exist something in the very essence of a person's nature which would compel him toward a specific path, a specific conviction, a specific character trait or a specific deed . . . how could G‑d command us through the prophets, "Do this" and "do not do this" . . . ? What place would the entire Torah have? And by what measure of justice would G‑d punish the wicked and reward the righteous?
(Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance 5:1–3)
https://w2.chabad.org/media/pdf/127018.pdf
BS'D MAZAL TOVare excited to announce the birth of a A Baby GIRLMazal tov to the Grandparents Yankel @ Devorah Wajsbort Yankel & Tzippy Bookman (Kensington NY) Matisyahu Meshizahav (Jerusalem, Israel) |
BS'D CONSECRATIONour dear father SOLOMON KISHINEVSKY OB'M Father of David & Mary Kishinevsky |
If you should say in your heart: These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them? You shall not be afraid of them (7:17–18)
When you understand that the nations are more numerous than you, and that you, with your own power, cannot defeat them, but are totally dependent on G‑d's help, then you need not fear them. But if you begin to believe that you can defeat them on your own, then you indeed have great cause for fear.
(Maasei Hashem)
https://w2.chabad.org/media/pdf/116490.pdf
Moses said to G‑d: Master of the Universe! Joseph's bones are entering the Land, and I shall not enter?
Said G‑d to him: He who admitted to his land is buried in his land; and he who did not admit to his land shall not be buried in his land. Joseph admitted to his land when his master's wife said (Genesis 39:14), "See, they have brought us a Hebrew man . . . ," and he did not deny it; on the contrary, he said (ibid. 40:15), "I was abducted from the land of the Hebrews." Therefore, he shall be buried in his land. You, however, did not admit to your land when the daughters of Jethro said (Exodus 2:19), "An Egyptian man rescued us from the shepherds," and you heard this and were silent. Therefore, "you shall not cross this Jordan."
(Midrash Rabbah)
