I extend my blessings for a happy and healthy New Year to all of the grandsons and granddaughters of the holy city of Kossov who receive this email.  Your interest in your Jewish heritage is a merit for you and your ancestors, may they rest in peace.  I look forward to becoming acquainted with many of you on an individual basis and you are all invited to meet with me if you are in New York City.  Yosef Rosen has my contact information. 

I would like to relate a short story about my great grandfather, Rabbi Moshe of Kossov, who was the grand rabbi of the Kossover Hasidim for the 45 years between 1880 and 1925.   Rabbi Moshe’s father was the previous Kossover Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon, who did not sire his only child until the later years of his life.  Consequently, Rabbi Moshe was only 20 years old when assumed the position of Rebbe.  Despite his youth, Rabbi Moshe was a sharp Talmudic scholar like his father and his grandfather, Rabbi Chaim of Kossov, before him.  Rabbi Moshe even published books of his own novel elucidations of complex Jewish legal issues.  However, he was also extremely modest.  He rejected the long black jackets commonly worn to this day by hasidim and rabbis in favor of a simple heavy grey wool coat that was handmade in Eretz Yisrael by poor Jews.  Rabbi Moshe had a passionate love for all Jews and for our homeland, the Land of Israel.  He preferred the simplicity and sanctity of the honest work of his brothers in our Holy Land to the honor of rabbinic garb.  He even wore this coat in the mild climate of Milan, Italy where he often traveled to seek treatment for a medical condition. 

As a humble man, Rabbi Moshe always refused to lead religious services in his synagogue in Kossov.  His hasidim longed to experience a prayer service lead by their saintly Rebbe.  One year, before the High Holidays, the Rebbe asked his hasidim to help collect charity for a destitute orphan who could not afford to pay for a wedding.  In exchange for raising such large funds on short notice, the Rebbe remarked that we would lead prayers on Yom Kippur.  Normally, cantors and rabbis who lead prayers only do so for the Kol Nidre, Musaf, or Neilah services, the emotionally charged moments of Yom Kippur that require an inspiring voice and personality.  On that grueling fast day, without a sip of water for his throat, Rabbi Moshe heroically led the ENTIRE prayer service from sunset to sunset, omitting nothing.  His hasidim asked him about why he assumed such an unprecedented burden.  He responded simply that he had offered to lead services and, since he had not specified or qualified his proposal, he felt obligated to fulfill his promise literally. 

My great grandfather’s story teaches us about the importance of truthfulness.  As we approach Yom Kippur, we must ask ourselves if we are truthful with ourselves and with others.  A productive and happy Jewish New Year depends, in part, on our ability to confront the previous year and its imperfections so that our New Year’s resolutions are not empty words. 

May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year, 

Rabbi Shraga Feivel Hager, Rebbe of Kossov