Honors Auction

As the High Holidays approach we are preparing some of the special honors given at the services. This is an opportunity to support Chabad and receive a blessing or pay it forward and give a blessing to another person.

To avoid auctioning on the holidays, silent bids are now being taken for the High Holidays Honors.

These honors are well known for their blessings they bring to those that acquire them. In many Shuls they cost in the heavy thousands, and even that is a good deal!

You can now get some unbelievable deals, while you help support our many programs.

This is a great opportunity for anyone with a business mind and a Jewish heart!

One does not have to be present to receive the honor.

Click here to skip to Maftir Yonah

Abraham makes a treaty with Avimelech in Be’er Sheva.

It is very meritorious for one to open the Ark, and take out the Torah-scrolls to be held during Kol Nidrei. While removing the Sifrei Torah one should kiss and caress them while confessing his sins. Opening the Ark, especially the first one, opens the gates of heaven to our prayers.

It is taught: It is a source of merit to hold any of the scrolls – especially the first one – during Kol Nidrei and is a very great privilege (Yesod v'Shoresh ha'Avodah; Ari Z"L).
This honor stands you right next to the cantor installing you as a member of the ecclesiastical court, which annuls all unfulfilled vows, thereby, dispensing forgiveness to the Jewish community.

"Aaron's two sons…" (Nadav and Avihu). The passing of Aaron's righteous sons is relevant to the spirit of Yom Kippur, for: "Just as Yom Kippur brings atonement, so, too, does the death of the righteous…" (Vayikra Rabba, 20:12). This honor, the Zohar teaches, takes the place of the sacrifices on Yom Kippur.

"…And for his household." Aaron's confession is for the sake of his immediate and extended family (the Kohanim). Be a part of the priestly family and gain atonement through its High Priest.

"…Who dwells with them amid their contamination." Our service to G‑d causes Him to abide within and among us. This is the ultimate mission of the Jew. This honor brings you within the proximity of G‑d's Divine glory.

"All the iniquities." Unlike the offerings mentioned previously, which atoned for sins involving contamination and the Temple, this (the Azazel) atoned for all transgressions over the past year (Shavuot 2b) - Purchasing this honor goes a long way in wiping your slate completely clean.

"For through this day atonement will be made for you, to purify you…" The essence of the day itself atones (Yoma)!

"This shall be an eternal statute to bring atonement upon the Children of Israel." If you haven't had a chance, this is the last one before Maftir, to really atone for the past.

The Haftorah read for this Maftir is a selection from Isaiah chosen because of its focus on the proper manner of penitence. The prophet harshly criticizes those who think they can gain appeasement from G‑d by merely fasting and through physical affliction devoid of inner-conviction. Instead, he urges; true repentance involves extreme kindness and charity and changing one's ways. By acquiring this honor you epitomize what Isaiah wanted from Israel, thereby finding favor in G‑d's Eyes.

When raising the Torah one "raises with it all the previous Aliyot" and receives reward for all the Aliyot rolled in one (Shulchan Aruch).

This is the most important Aliyah of the day, as well as the last. Tradition tells us that buying this honor is a special segulah for wealth. In communities the world over this merit is bought for thousands of dollars. Remember, you reap what you sow. There can be no better investment than this.

This is the final Ark opening of Yom Kippur. Suffice it to say, this is truly the end – the chatimah – of our service and petition to G‑d. This is your final chance, before the "Gates of Heaven" close ("Neilah"). With this honor you are the "gatekeeper" for our final supplications. Tradition tells us that the one who merits opening the Ark for Neilah will be blessed with long life.