amounts
ranging from $25 and up. One of the tabs specified ‘Other.’
Much
to Aaron’s relief, the shofar was sounded by Reverend Martin. Aaron announced
the notes to be sounded and determined whether the sound met the requirements.
He had been forewarned by Shalom Pinkes that the notes sounded at the synagogue
were far shorter than the lengthy sounds heard at the yeshiva. Thus prepared,
Aaron did not compel Reverend Martin to repeat shofar notes that were of
marginal length. He relied on the views of liberal authorities to permit
borderline cases.
Rabbi
Adler dedicated his second day sermon to the ritual of shofar. He pointed out
that the shofar was an instrument of prayer throughout Jewish history. Abraham,
the founder of the Hebrew religion, offered up a ram when he was relieved of
sacrificing his only son, Isaac. The shofar, made of a ram’s horn was a
reminder of the extent of Abraham’s willingness to obey the word of God. Sounding
the shofar at the synagogue is an appeal to the Almighty to be responsive to
our prayers in light of the faith and merit of Abraham the Patriarch.
Aaron
said, “It was the sound of the shofar that accompanied the greatest event in
the history of the Jewish people, the revelation of the Ten Commandments together
with the Torah on Mount Sinai. It was also sounded in times of war and distress
when experienced by the Jewish people. Finally, it is the shofar that will be
sounded to herald the Messianic redemption of the Jewish people and their restoration
to the land of Israel.
The
rabbi skillfully wove all of these historical events into a unified picture
portraying the religious drives and aspirations of the children of Israel.
After
the afternoon meal and a period of rest, Rabbi Adler prepared for the Tashlich service. The city of Dunberg was built along the shores of the Allegheny River,
which was a superb place for Tashlich . It was one of the three rivers
that converged at Pittsburgh and had been sufficiently cleaned up to maintain aquatic
life. Levine’s home was within walking distance of the river and the members
gathered there. Before Tashlich , the worshippers davened Minchah at the river; Rabbi Adler explained the significance of Tashlich and
read one of the psalms in English. After Tashlich , the congregation
davened Ma’ariv , and when the services were over, the worshippers left
for their homes.
On
the way home, Shulamit made sure that she walked with Aaron. She told him that
this year she enjoyed the services more than ever in the past and that she was
moved by his sermons. She then added that if she had offended him at dinner on
the first night she was truly sorry. She promised that it wouldn’t happen
again. Aaron assured her that he wasn’t angry with her, and in any event, her
father had already offered an apology to Aaron in her behalf.
Once
they arrived home, Abe Levine summoned Aaron to his study for some additional
discussion. Most of it concerned special arrangements for the Yom Kippur
services focusing on the YomKippur appeals that were scheduled for Kol
Nidrei night and prior to the Yizkormemorial services.
Levine
then surprised Aaron with important news. He told him that Ilan Solomon had
called him from Israel explaining that his mother’s condition had taken a turn
for the worse and the doctors had little hope for her recovery. The time remaining
for his stay in Israel was now indefinite and would certainly exceed a number
of months. “In effect, this means,” Levine said to Aaron, “I have to request
you to conduct Succos services at Beth Israel. We will need you here for the
first two and the last two days of the holiday.” Since these days fall on the
weekend, we may have as many as fifty worshippers among the men. On Simchas
Torah, we have special celebrations and a congregational dinner. On that day
the synagogue should be full. If you can undertake this challenge and, I hope
you will, we will be able to pay you an additional $1,500. Please
ranging from $25 and up. One of the tabs specified ‘Other.’
Much
to Aaron’s relief, the shofar was sounded by Reverend Martin. Aaron announced
the notes to be sounded and determined whether the sound met the requirements.
He had been forewarned by Shalom Pinkes that the notes sounded at the synagogue
were far shorter than the lengthy sounds heard at the yeshiva. Thus prepared,
Aaron did not compel Reverend Martin to repeat shofar notes that were of
marginal length. He relied on the views of liberal authorities to permit
borderline cases.
Rabbi
Adler dedicated his second day sermon to the ritual of shofar. He pointed out
that the shofar was an instrument of prayer throughout Jewish history. Abraham,
the founder of the Hebrew religion, offered up a ram when he was relieved of
sacrificing his only son, Isaac. The shofar, made of a ram’s horn was a
reminder of the extent of Abraham’s willingness to obey the word of God. Sounding
the shofar at the synagogue is an appeal to the Almighty to be responsive to
our prayers in light of the faith and merit of Abraham the Patriarch.
Aaron
said, “It was the sound of the shofar that accompanied the greatest event in
the history of the Jewish people, the revelation of the Ten Commandments together
with the Torah on Mount Sinai. It was also sounded in times of war and distress
when experienced by the Jewish people. Finally, it is the shofar that will be
sounded to herald the Messianic redemption of the Jewish people and their restoration
to the land of Israel.
The
rabbi skillfully wove all of these historical events into a unified picture
portraying the religious drives and aspirations of the children of Israel.
After
the afternoon meal and a period of rest, Rabbi Adler prepared for the Tashlich service. The city of Dunberg was built along the shores of the Allegheny River,
which was a superb place for Tashlich . It was one of the three rivers
that converged at Pittsburgh and had been sufficiently cleaned up to maintain aquatic
life. Levine’s home was within walking distance of the river and the members
gathered there. Before Tashlich , the worshippers davened Minchah at the river; Rabbi Adler explained the significance of Tashlich and
read one of the psalms in English. After Tashlich , the congregation
davened Ma’ariv , and when the services were over, the worshippers left
for their homes.
On
the way home, Shulamit made sure that she walked with Aaron. She told him that
this year she enjoyed the services more than ever in the past and that she was
moved by his sermons. She then added that if she had offended him at dinner on
the first night she was truly sorry. She promised that it wouldn’t happen
again. Aaron assured her that he wasn’t angry with her, and in any event, her
father had already offered an apology to Aaron in her behalf.
Once
they arrived home, Abe Levine summoned Aaron to his study for some additional
discussion. Most of it concerned special arrangements for the Yom Kippur
services focusing on the YomKippur appeals that were scheduled for Kol
Nidrei night and prior to the Yizkormemorial services.
Levine
then surprised Aaron with important news. He told him that Ilan Solomon had
called him from Israel explaining that his mother’s condition had taken a turn
for the worse and the doctors had little hope for her recovery. The time remaining
for his stay in Israel was now indefinite and would certainly exceed a number
of months. “In effect, this means,” Levine said to Aaron, “I have to request
you to conduct Succos services at Beth Israel. We will need you here for the
first two and the last two days of the holiday.” Since these days fall on the
weekend, we may have as many as fifty worshippers among the men. On Simchas
Torah, we have special celebrations and a congregational dinner. On that day
the synagogue should be full. If you can undertake this challenge and, I hope
you will, we will be able to pay you an additional $1,500. Please
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