T This month we as Jews the world over commemorate this Jewish New Year and the Fall Feasts. This year is a 13 month Jewish Leap Year, with the insertion of the intercalary lunar month of Adar A before the regular Adar (B), in late winter early spring. This assures that Spring Feasts stay in the Spring and the Fall Feasts in the fall while we continue to follow a lunar calendar. This year will last for 385 days, and our prayer is that this year will be sweeter and more fruitful than last year. Here in the Land flowing with Milk and Honey we will be dipping our apples in honey and wishing Jews the world over a Shanah Tovah u Metukaka—A Good and Sweet New Year.

Recently I spent time outside of Israel and enjoyed seeing the beauty of the nature in other lands. It was an exhilarating experience. Seeing the natural beauty of these nations, and at times the ease of life, can challenge a Jew in his love, loyalty and lasting appreciation for the Aretz—The Land, which Hashem granted to Israel custodianship of. Looking over the borders of our small land, the grass often seems greener elsewhere. One can think back to the times of our father Avraham when he parted ways with Lot. Lot seeing the green lush valley hurriedly chose that part of the land. In the natural Avraham, would be seen as a loser, having been left with the seemingly weaker of the lands. And yet we read of the extent that he and his descendents are promised blessing and rich provision. A land which according to Deuteronomy 11:12 Hashem Doresh Ota— Hashem watches over it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.