Back in 1996, Rabbi Finman was asked to speak to the niece of one of his students. After spending many hours answering her questions, the woman gave Rabbi Finman her e-mail address. Rabbi Finman wrote the woman a note and included in it a short insight into that week's Parsha and a short Chasidic story.

Realizing that this was something no one was yet doing,, Rabbi Finman sent the missive to his mailing list of about 30 people. Requests from recipients friends came pouring in. The next week Rabbi Finman sent the e-Parsha to 100 people. Within a year more than 2000 people were receiving it. Today, more than 14,000 receive the e-Parsha weekly and the requests keep coming in.

Yom Kippur 5785
Rosh Hashana Haazinu 5785
Nitzavim/Vayelech 5784
Ki Savo 5784
Ki Keitsei 5784

Yom Kippur 5785

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This week's YouParsha Yom Kippur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyBvAwFahKE The Greatness of Yom Kippur

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The Tzemach Tzedek had yechidus with the Alter Rebbe on Monday of Teitzei, 6 Elul 5564 (1804); the Rebbe told him: "On Shabbat Tavo 5528 (1768), my Rebbe (the Maggid of Mezritch) said a "Torah" beginning V'shavta ad Havayeh Elokecha. He explained that the avoda of teshuva must attain a level at which Havayeh, transcendent Divinity beyond worlds, becomes Elokecha - Elokim being numerically equivalent to hateva (nature), and as we find, "in the beginning Elokim created the heavens and the earth etc." All the Holy Society (disciples of the Maggid) were profoundly stirred by this teaching. The tzadik R. Zusya of Anipoli said that he could not attain the heights of such a teshuva; he would therefore break down teshuva to its components, for each letter of the word teshuva is the initial of a verse:

T: Tamim - "Be sincere with the Eternal your G‑d."

This represents the avoda of teshuva that comes through sincerity. Sincerity, or "wholeness," takes any number of forms and has many levels. In reference to teshuva the highest form is wholeness of heart - called "earnestness"; as Torah says of Avraham, "you found his heart faithful before You.

Sh: Shiviti - "I have set G‑d before me always."

Havayeh indicates the creation of the universe and creatures. Bringing all of Creation into being and sustaining it is accomplished by bridging an infinite gap - from ayin (non-being, nihilo) to yesh (being). This form of the avoda (service) of teshuva results from one's constant awareness of the way in which the universe and all that is in it, is (constantly) brought into being.

U: V'ahavta - "Love your fellow as yourself."

The Alter Rebbe taught that this love is an instrument, a means to "Love the Eternal your G‑d." This is explained in the statement, "Whoever is pleasing to man is pleasing to G‑d." This service of teshuva stems from goodness of heart.

V: B'chol - "In all your ways, know Him."

A person who sets his heart and mind to observe all that happens to him and around him, will perceive G‑dliness tangibly in evidence; as the Mitteler Rebbe pointed out, men of affairs have an advantage over secluded scholars, in that the former can witness actual manifestations of G‑dliness. This form of the service of teshuva comes from one's perceiving hashgacha p'ratit, (particular Divine Providence).

H: Hatznei'a - "Walk discreetly with your G‑d.

One must take care not to be conspicuous or ostentatious in the slightest. It is said "Man should always be artful in piety." The artfulness lies in seeing that his piety not be noticed at all. We know that a number of the early chassidim concealed their true selves, and when discovered were sincerely distressed. This is the avoda of teshuva that comes from hatznei'a lechet, being discreet.

(From Hayom Yom)

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Reb Meir of Premishlan, circa 1850's, had a custom of standing by his open living room window on the night before Yom Kippur and blessing anyone who approached. Yossel, the town thief, also wanted a blessing for a successful year, but how could he approach the Rebbe?

Yossel planned to stand in wait, out of the Rebbe's line of vision. When an opportunity would arise, he would jump in front of the Rebbe and be blessed. At the awaited moment, Yossel presented himself before Reb Meir. The Rebbe looked quizzically and asked, "I should give YOU a brocha?!" "Yes, Rebbe," replied the thief, "Bless me that if there is a decree on high that someone in Premishlan is to have something stolen this year, that it be stolen by me." The Rebbe smiled and said amen.

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