The Philadelphia Community Kollel wishes you a kesiva vechasima tova!
Rabbi Yechiel Biberfeld, Rosh Kollel Rabbi Yoel Dovid Zeffren, Associate Rosh Kollel Rabbi Yosef Prupas, Director of Community Programming Kollel Rabbis and Staff
Dr. Israil Pendrak, President and the Board of Directors
A Message from the Rosh Kollel
THE NAME “ROSH HASHANAH” My great-grandfather, the heileige Chasam Sofer, zt”l points out that we do not find the name Rosh Hashanah anywhere in the Torah. On the contrary, this time period is referred to in the Torah as the end of the year, Tekufas HaShanah. The name Rosh Hashanah is first introduced in Sefer Yechezkel, and then replete in the words of our Sages in the Gemarah. How do we understand the difference? The Chasam Sofer, zt”l explains that when all Yidden are tzaddikim, righteous, then we enter into this period of the year with confidence and conviction, secure that we will be judged well since we have had such a good year of Torah and mitzvos. The coming year is still yet unknown, so we’d like to “hang our hats” on the previous one, trusting we’ll be written in the Book of Tzaddikim. It is therefore called the “end of the year.” The prophet Yecheskel foresaw that after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash it would be so difficult to remain completely righteous, and with each passing year the challenges would only get harder. Thus, few will be able to feel confident that their judgement will be most favorable. Rather, we anticipate the Day of Judgment as a new beginning, a new start – Rosh Hashanah, with ambition and resolve that this year will be better. We will be more serious about our learning Torah and adherence to mitzvos. With that commitment, we too feel confident that Hashem, the Judge will find us worthy to be inscribed for a good and sweet year, a שנה טובה ומתוקה.
May we all have the wisdom and strength to recommit ourselves to Hashem and His Torah this coming year and merit to be written in the Book of Tzaddikim.
