The prospect of Rosh Hashanah without shofar is on my mind. I feel the pressure of forthcoming events so heavily, as if deep, dark clouds are in the western sky, heading in our direction. It seems imperative that we prepare for whatever is coming. It is a mistake to say that we cannot influence events, because each mitzvah influences events. If Yidden would live with the mission of sanctifying this world, we could – and b’ezras Hashem we will! – save the world.
Every Erev Shabbos, we say “Uri, Uri …. Wake up!” Maybe we are asleep.
I heard about a medical conference, at which the doctors heard frightening speeches on the fatal consequences of smoking. Then they went out for a smoking break! This is not a joke; it was apparently a true story.
It seems to me that we are acting like sleepwalkers. What about the so-called music at weddings, where people lose their hearing? A great rosh yeshiva told us that he suffers from tinnitus as a result of going to so many chassanas. Someone told me that he had a headache after a recent wedding and his wife had to leave because of the noise. What are we doing to ourselves? Are we living in reality?
If you walk in your sleep, you are going to bump into something or fall down the stairs, G-d forbid. It is not a joke. If the world is sleepwalking, then how will we survive?
In Europe before World War II, how many read the handwriting on the wall? Were the simanim not in plain view? Today, we are walking as if our eyes are closed. We are building palaces for ourselves in places where tomorrow may never come.
What will be in the year 5787? “Who will live and who will die?” Maybe Moshiach ben Dovid will come, but what will be before he comes? Right now, the signs are not hopeful. What is with the President of the United States? Once perceived as our “best friend,” he suddenly seems to be acting like our enemy.
Last week Rav Dan Segal Shlita”h stated that the sharp reversal of Mr. Trump’s attitude is due to the “persecution of bnai yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel.” (Yeshiva World News)
My friends, we should all be shaking. One could really tear one’s garment over this. For months and years, it has been clear that there is something terribly wrong here. We have to know that the salvation of Am Yisroel comes from only One Place, and that is from our Father in Shomayim. No earthly power, king or political figure can save us. We have been placing our trust in dust and ashes. Each day we say, “Shomer Yisroel … Guardian of Israel, protect the remnant of Irael. Let not Israel be destroyed, those who proclaim, ‘Hear Oh Israel!’” That is the Source of Life.
Are we crying when we say these words? Are we begging the Ribono shel Olam to save us? Do we literally believe we are in mortal danger, G-d forbid? These words are not an exaggeration. We have to know that our lives hang in the balance.
When the government of Israel persecutes our uniquely holy Torah scholars, what is wrong with us? There is no other nation which possesses this treasure, our bnai yeshiva. This is our reason for existence and our only hope! Why are we harassing our national treasure?
My friends, this is nothing short of a death wish, national suicide G-d forbid! We have to know that there is a war going on. I am not talking about Iran; I am talking about the war against Torah!
Someone said last week that this is the proof of our kedusha, that the Satan is going after the “Kodesh ha kadoshim … the holy of holies.” Now, when the entire world perceives that Moshiach ben Dovid is around the corner and the Final Redemption is about to unfold, now -- precisely now! -- the forces of evil, both inside and outside Am Yisroel, are rushing frantically to try to stop the Redemption. They know that this is their last chance. They are desperate to destroy all kedusha in the world, G-d forbid.
“The worlds continue to exist in the merit of the few remaining Torah scholars who learn day and night. [Due to their Torah study] the world is not destroyed …. When people stop learning Torah, Hashem seeks to destroy the world…. If not for the synagogues and study halls where Torah scholars are sitting and learning, the destructive angels would instantly annihilate the entire world!” (Nefesh ha Chaim, Gate 4, Ch. 25)
My friends, Rosh Hashanah is in approximately eleven weeks. There will be no Shofar on the first day. We have to become our own shofar! Each one of us can cry out like a shofar, penetrating the Heavens, with voices of passion, begging Hashem to save us.
Dovid Ha Melech said, “Ani sefilasi … I am prayer!”
I want to say, “I am a shofar!” I am crying out to you, Avinu Malkainu, Our Father and King, Who wants to save us: “Ana Hashem hoshia na … Please Hashem, save us now!” Please Hashem, protect Am Yisroel, the Torah and Torah scholars.
Now is the time to cry out, night and day, and beg for the Redemption, the downfall of our spiritual and physical enemies and the coming of Moshiach ben Dovid, who will flood the world with the healing waters of Torah and bring a never-ending era of peace and justice when “Hashem will be King over all the world. On that day Hashem will be One and His Name One!” May we see it soon in our days!
GLOSSARY
B’ezras Hashem: With G-d’s help
Kedusha: Sanctity
Ribono shel Olam: The Master of the World, G-d
Rosh yeshiva: the head of a yeshiva
Shofar: Ram’s horn sounded on Rosh Hashanah
