The period of the month of Elul and the Yamim Noraim, known as the High Holiday season, is a great gift, מן הטובות אשר הטיב הי”ת עם ברואיו. Each year we are afforded this opportunity to reflect and to reconnect, to spend weeks engaged with G-d and community on a fundamentally deeper level than the usual. Ideally this serves as a basis for the substantive and tangible adjustments to our lives resultant of Teshuva. But even without those measurable changes, we treasure this time as our annual visit back to the source, to the wellspring of our existence, and we draw upon its inspiration – consciously and unconsciously – for the balance of the year.
This booklet records the central addresses of the Yamim Noraim 5780 season at BJSZ, dedicated to the theme, “Uncovering the Heart.” It is my hope that you will find them of some value, and that each of us and all of us will continue to grow in every way – religiously, inter-personally and individually – to enhance ourselves, our families and our community, and to sanctify Hashem’s Name in our world.
This past year brought many dramatic and unanticipated changes for all of us. When the Drashos in this booklet were composed and delivered; when we raised our voices in prayer and opened our hearts to reflection and change; we had no clue what lay in store for us. Alas, that is the nature of life. We hang by a thread.
While our role within BJSZ has significantly shifted, Mindi and I are very grateful to continue to be an active part of our shul family. It is particularly meaningful for us to see BJSZ continuing its invaluable role in the lives of its members and of the Baltimore community, under the very capable leadership of Rabbi Daniel and Yocheved Rose. We all admire how Rabbi Rose has led us through these harrowing days of the pandemic, and we look forward to his strong and steady leadership during the up- coming Yamim Noraim season and onward, into what we hope and pray will be calmer and happier times, בעז”ה.
Please accept our best wishes for a healthy and productive year, a כתיבה וחתימה טובה.
Rabbi Moshe Hauer
Click here to view the Yamim Noraim Booklet 5780- Uncovering the Heart