The Rama (Shulchan Aruch Chap. 582) rules: “On the night of Rosh Hashana, everyone should go around to wish their fellow-Jew “May you be inscribed for a Good Year’. As explained by Rav Kook, this calling points out one of the main themes of Rosh Hashana: Unity and Chesed – interest in and caring for one’s fellow-Jew. This theme for Rosh Hashana is already stressed in the Tanach: When the ignorant people of Eretz Yisrael (which had been isolated from the main centres of Jewry and Jewish learning) asked Ezra and Nechemia what one is supposed to do on Rosh Hashana – to rejoice or to weep – they replied (Nechemia Chap. 8): “Rejoice – eat delicacies and drink good beverages – but make sure that you also provide for the less-fortunate”. As our Sages have told us, the main motive for Creation was Chesed – Hashem wanted to bestow his infinite good on to others. Therefore, on this day of Creation of Man, when we are expected to imitate Hashem and walk in His ways, we too must resolve to do acts of loving kindness to others.
By doing this, we can be sure of a Shana Tova. “The saintly Rav Yisrael Salanter, when asked what is the recipe for a good year, replied: “If the people need him – if he is helping the people, The Almighty will give him life and strength to continue to help them”.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Yeshiva and the dedicated staff to wish all the friends of the Yeshiva and Klal Yisrael a good blessed year. May this year of 5767 be always remembered as one of the greatest in the annals of Am Yisrael.
