Parashah Roundup: Nitzavim 5768/Rosh Hashanah 5769

by Steve Brizel

The Great Transition

R. Yissocher Frand analyzes how Moshe Rabbeinu transferred the reigns of leadership to Joshua:
link

Brachos uKlalos

R. Yonasan Sacks explains why Parshas Netzavim always precedes Rosh HaShanah:
link

R. Shlomo Riskin and R. Berel Wein underscore the importance of reading Parshas Netzavim before Rosh HaShanah: link 1, link 2

Click here to read moreHidden and Revealed Sins

R. Mordechai Willig suggests that we condemn the sin, but not the sinner and set forth what constittutes behavior that is deviasionist in behavior: link

R. Ephraim Buchwald reminds us that in our generation, we must embrace Baalei Teshuvah who are Tinokos Shenishbu and Gerei HaTzedek who have a demonstrated self sacrifice in order to live a life of Torah observance: link

The Mitzvah of Teshuvah

R. Michael Rosensweig sets forth a blueprint for teshuvah: link

R. Zvi Sobolofsky reminds us that Teshuvah is a responsibility, and not a gift: link

R. Asher Brander, based upon a comment of R Elchannan Wasserman, HaShem Yimkam Damo, zt"l stresses that teshuvah reminds us that God desires a strong relationship with Klal Yisrael on a communal and individual level: link

The Kli Yakar, as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass, emphasizes that teshuvah is a two-way movement between man and God: link

R. Jonathan Sacks suggests that God's faith in mankind and our ability to choose how to behave is the fourteenth principal of faith: link

Rosh HaShanah-Halachic and Hashkafic Insights

Rav Soloveitchik zt"l (especially for those who missed these shiurim when they were posted earlier) discusses the halachic and hashkafic aspects of Slichos and Rosh HaShanah: link

R. Shlomo Wolbe zt"l explains that on Rosh HaShanah, Klal Yisrael emphasizeopenly that HaShem is the true King of the Universe, after fighting a guerilla war and seemingly serving a government in exile during the year: link (DOC)

R. Moshe Wolfson, speaking in the RIETS Beis Medrash, provides an overview of what we should be striving for during Elul and the Yamim Noraim in terms of Emunah: link (audio)

R. Baruch Simon discusses why we recite Selichos for at least four days before Rosh HaShanah: link (audio)

R. Herschel Shachter delineates many of the events that followed the creation of man which remain relevant today (link) and Tekios
Al Seder Habrachos (link - audio).

R. Doniel Schreiber discusses the definition of the mitzvah of Shofar and the numerous views regarding the number of Tekios that one should hear on Rosh HaShanah: link 1, link 2

R. Reuven Brand reminds us that Tekias Shofar enables us to transcend our past and to connect to HaShem through sincere Teshuvah: link (PDF)

R. Daniel Feldman explores the differenece between Teshuvah MeAhavah and Teshuvah MeYirah and based upon an observation of R Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook zt"l, why Teshuvah is such a difficult mitzvah to implement in one's life: link (PDF)

Cantor Sherwood Goffin discusses the origins and the importance of knowing and adhering to the Nusach HaTefilah of the Yamim Noraim: link (PDF)

R. Avraham Gordimer discusses certain minhagim of Rosh HaShanah: link (PDF)

R. Joshua Flug, based upon an analysis of the relevant Talmudic passage and views of the Rishonim, discusses how Rosh HaShanah serves as a Yom HaDin: link (PDF)

Mrs. Daphna Fishman Secunda explores the views of many of the Gdolei HaMharshim on the meaning of the Akedah and why the Akedah is symbolic of complete teshuvah: link (PDF)

R. Aharon Lichstenstein explains why Rosh HaShanah is Yom Hazikaron and the views of Chazal and Rishonim as to the meaning, the effect on Shemoneh Esreh and the consequences of not saying HaMelech HaKadosh: link 1, link 2

R. Mosheh Lichtenstein shows why HaShem's remembrance of Chanah was chosen as the Hafatarah for the first day of Rosh HaShanah: link

R. Avigdor Nevenzal explains why Shofaros represent the unfolding of the Divine Plan: link

R. Yitzchak Etshalom investigates the importance of Psalm 47 and why it is recited before Tekias Shofar: link (PDF)

Aseres Ymei Teshuvah

R. Dovid Gottlieb explains why HaMelech HaKadosh is such an important theme in Tefilah during Aseres Ymei Teshuvah: link (audio)

R. Shmuel Hain discusses many halachos and minhagim that are affected by Aseres Ymei Teshuvah: link (PDF)