Biden’s Rosh Hashana Sermon
Although most Israelis would have no idea what I am talking about, most Americans consider Rosh Chodesh Elul to be the day after Labor Day, regardless of the Jewish Calendar. Before Labor Day we are too busy with the Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer to take Elul seriously. No matter that the Rambam writes that the sound of the Shofar calls us to “ Wake up sleepy ones, arise. Review your deeds, repent, remember your Creator. To those who forget the truth and engage all year in empty pursuits and matters that are ultimately worthless; think about your souls. Improve your ways and your deeds and abandon your sinful path (Teshuva 3:4). Summer is no time for such heavy thoughts. However, for those paying attention, Hashem provided us with quite a wake-up call this year, as He often does. Twenty years ago, on the 23rd day of Elul we experienced September 11; a day that forever changed our perspective on our safety and security in the United States. This year, we had sev...