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Dear Friend,
As we stand together this Shabbat reading Netzavim, we encounter the words: “You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your G-d” (Devarim 29:9). The commentaries explain that this gathering was not only a historic moment before entering the Land, but also a timeless vision: the Jewish people stand united before G-d on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment.
Rosh Hashanah is not only about judgment; it is about presence. To stand before G-d means to be fully here with our community, our family, and our true selves. Each person is counted, each person is precious, from the leaders down to the water carriers. On this day, no Jew is forgotten.The Alter Rebbe of Chabad once described Rosh Hashanah as the moment when G-d awaits our coronation of Him
as King. Just as a king’s crown is composed of many jewels, so too every Jew is a jewel in the Divine crown. Without one, the crown is incomplete.
A chassid once asked the Rebbe Rashab how to prepare for Rosh Hashanah. The Rebbe answered: “Think about another Jew. If you are thinking of yourself, you are small. If you are thinking of G-d, you are great. But if you are thinking of another Jew, you are truly connected.”
This is the message of Netzavim: we stand not as individuals, but as a people. When we stand together, we can each enter the new year with confidence, joy, and blessing.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Palisades at our beloved Chabad Campus at 17315 Sunset Blvd, as we usher in Rosh Hashanah together. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please take a moment to do so at chabadpalisades.com/hh25.
May this Rosh Hashanah bring renewal, healing, and peace for you, your family, and for all of Am Yisrael.
Shabbat Shalom & Shana Tova,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin
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