Rosh Hashana Greetings
RABBI DAVID MATTHEW DORÉ
Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation Pilar and Ground of Truth, Inc. “Commandment Pillar”
Rabbi David Matthew Doré, Esq.
Rosh Hashana greetings
Elul 5782-September 25, 2022
Shalom Ovracha, Peace and blessings
כתיבה וחתימה טובה
On behalf of the Commandment Pillar of Harlem family, we send Rosh Hashanah New Year greetings. We send blessings as we end the month of Elul 5782 and journey to the New year month of Tishrei 5783! The essence of the Rosh HaShana holy day can be seen in the Book of Number Ch. 29, Bamidbar in Hebrew, where it states And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work; it is a day of blowing the horn unto you.וּבַחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ מִקְרָא־קֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת
עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֣א תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ י֥וֹם תְּרוּעָ֖ה יִֽהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶֽם:
This denotes and commands the sounding of the Shofar. Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of the Living God Pillar and Ground of Truth, Inc. has its history in the Harlem community where its legacy remains to this day.
My maternal grandfather, the late Chief Rabbi W.A. Matthew established the synagogue in 1921. Rabbi Matthew emigrated here from Africa and was the first Afro-Caribbean rabbi in this country of African parentage, becoming Chief Rabbi of the black Hebrew community. The landmark building is known internationally as the first black synagogue in the nation and was featured in a 1970 motion picture "The Angel Levine" starring Zero Mostel and Harry Belafonte.
As we read the Torah during the High Holy Days lets us remember the great struggles that continues to afflict our world today. However, we also remember the triumphs of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and our matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah. We pray that the Hebrew Community and Commandment Pillar will continue to grow and flourish in a complicated world.
Rabbi W.A. Matthew זצ”ל, our founder sought to instill in his congregations and numerous rabbinical students a sense of pride and strength. The source of this strength is in Hashem and the great teachings from Moses at Mount Sinai. His original congregation began its journey in Harlem and continues this journey today still located in Harlem USA. The journey and teachings emanate worldwide.
May this year be a year filled with blessings, good health, and abundant success!!!
