9

Dear Friends,

Forgive me for my lack of correspondance as I have B"H been very busy with my practice and my doctoral program. I wanted to share with you a quick thought that came to me today as we approach the New Year, may it come upon us for good.

The Hebrew year, 5770, corresponds to the hebrew letters, Tav Shin Ayin, in gematria. I have not heard anyone point this out, but those 3 letters spell the word "Tesha" or the number "9".

Our sages of recent years and current leaders as well, have all stated that the suffering our people has endured in the recent past is clearly part of the process of "Ikvisa d'meshicha", the birthpangs of the Messiah, whose arrival, we believe, is imminent.

It came to me that just as a woman carries a baby for 9 month, before giving birth, perhaps the year TESHA is yet one further remez (hint) that the "birth", our redemption, is indeed just around the corner, as we begin "9"

May all of our thoughts, words and actions find favor in the eyes of The Holy One, Blessed be He!

A happy and sweet new year!