Words From Rabbi White

I know that Rosh Hashanah is around the corner, But please excuse me if I talk about Sukkot.

Let me explain:

According to the Torah, the holiday of Sukkot lasts 7 days. Midrashic tradition is that during this holiday, we prayed for the welfare of the nations of the world.

But when the Jews were about to leave Jerusalem and go to their homes, HaShem said to them to stay another day: that became the holiday known as shemini atseret.

For, according to the midrash, HaShem said to the people "qashah ``alay pridatkhem”, i.e., “it’s hard for ME to see you leaving.”

To paraphrase that expression, “qasha `alay pridati.”  Those words kept coming into my mind.

You see, when my dear wife a”h passed away a couple weeks before Pesach, 2021, I spent a few weeks with my children in NJ. Upon my return to Montreal, many people asked me: “are you planning on selling your house?” “when are you leaving Montreal?” etc.

My answer was usually something like, “please, I am not even on 1st base.” How can I leave Montreal. I love my shul, I love my students at Herzliah, I am blessed with wonderful neighbors and friends, a nice house with a lovely back yard, etc., etc.

“Qashah `alay pridati.” “How can I leave Montreal?” Yet after a while, reality set in. I was living here by myself, with a large and wonderful family in the States.  So it was time to move down to the Etats-Unis, to accept the invitation of my children.

I leave Montreal with great memories, and wish you all good health, and continued success in Chevra Shaas.

I can be reached by phone at 201 836 6750, by email at whitemenahem@hotmail.com or by old fashioned mail at 782 Dearborn St., Teaneck, NJ

07666

Ketivah va-Hatimah Tovah

Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Menahem White, CS