Rabbi Israel Bunam Schreiber Delivers Rosh Hashanah Sermon to Packed Crowd

Rabbi Israel Bunam Schreiber, the chief rabbi of Ashdod and head of the "Netiv Ha'daat" yeshiva, delivered a sermon on spiritual awakening and repentance in preparation for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday. The event, held at the "Ateret Tzvi" yeshiva, was so crowded that attendees filled the aisles. The rabbi spoke for approximately 30 minutes, offering moral guidance and encouragement to a congregation that included many prominent rabbis, heads of yeshivas and kollels, and educators.

Rabbi Schreiber emphasized the importance of accepting God's sovereignty during Rosh Hashanah, referencing a Talmudic passage that states, "Kingship, Remembrance, and the Shofar are to be recited before Me: Kingship, so that you may crown Me as King over you; Remembrance, so that the memory of your deeds may come before Me for good; and with the Shofar, so that its sound may be heard."

He stressed that individuals know their own spiritual standing and capabilities, urging them not to aim for unattainable goals. The core message was to avoid spiritual stagnation and to actively seek closeness to God. He explained that repentance is an ongoing process, not limited to Rosh Hashanah, but that the holiday's focus on "Kingship" is crucial for individuals to truly crown God in their lives without seeking distant or impossible objectives.

To illustrate his point, Rabbi Schreiber recounted a story about his father, Rabbi Pinchas Schreiber. When asked why he was only wearing a hat and not an overcoat on a cold day, despite a hand injury, he explained that Jewish law dictates dressing the right side first, and since his right hand was injured, he couldn't put on the coat. This adherence to divine law in every aspect of life, he explained, exemplifies "crowning God over you."

At the conclusion of his address, Rabbi Schreiber wished the attendees a happy new year and a good inscription. As he departed, many in the crowd approached him to offer blessings, with numerous individuals specifically wishing him a speedy and complete recovery, referring to him as Rabbi Israel Bunam ben Chaya Roiza.