5787

Rosh Hashanah 5787 · An Awareness Message

Can We Avoid Another Year of Catastrophe?

This year, the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos. Nine times in the last thirty years that has happened — and nine times, catastrophe followed.

VIDEO — "Rosh Hashanah 5787" campaign message (16:9)

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"Any year in which the shofar is not sounded at its beginning — its end will be sounded with evil tidings."

Rosh Hashana 16b

See what happened the last nine times ↓

Part I

The Teaching

This coming Rosh Hashanah 5787, the shofar — yet again — will not be sounded on the first day because it's Shabbos. Our sages warned us

"Any year in which the shofar is not sounded at its beginning — its end will be sounded with evil tidings."

Talmud, Rosh Hashana 16b

        SOURCE TEXT — original Gemara (Rosh Hashana 16b), Hebrew/Aramaic daf image or facsimile
      

The historical record is striking, especially as it relates to modern history: September 11th, COVID-19, and October 7th all fell in years when the first day of Rosh Hashanah landed on Shabbos and no shofar was blown.

So what should we do, or what can we do, to minimize or remove the "evil tidings" all together?

While many do not realize this, there is in fact something which can be done in order to prevent the potential catastrophe that may occur.

The Aruch LaNer, written over 150 years ago, in Al HaTorah on Parshas Ha'azinu 17, tells us of years when the shofar wasn't blown on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, yet these same years produced the greatest miracles in Jewish history — and that what determines the outcome is one thing: a deeper commitment to Shabbos. This year, Shabbos is our shofar. The question is whether we will hear Shabbos, and fulfill our part of the commitment.

This project is meant to (a) create awareness that there IS something we can do to prevent another catastrophe (especially during a time of עת מלחמה) and (b) inspire our brothers and sisters with some practical, simple things they can do, each on his or her level, with a video and a call to action.

This is not an empty warning — see the record →

Part II

Thirty Years, Nine Silences

Besides the destruction of both Temples occurring in years like these — modern history proves the same, stark message. Take a look at the last thirty years: almost every time the first day of Rosh Hashanah fell on Shabbos, catastrophe followed.

But that doesn't have to be.

There Is Another Way →

Part III

My Shabbos Commitment

for the Year 5787

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Shabbat Shalom. Shanah Tovah.

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Shanah Tovah.

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About This Campaign

This site accompanies a short film released ahead of Rosh Hashanah 5787, sharing a teaching from the Aruch LaNer on the unique power of Shabbos in a year when the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbos itself. Watch, share, and take one small step for Shabbos this year.