"Many original and challenging thoughts and issues raised" said the Sun.
"An enjoyable atmosphere to learn about and focus on, the upcoming Yomim Noraim" said the Times.
"The speakers were really top notch" said the Age.
"People will remember the momentous event for years to come" said the Observer.

Special thanks go to those who dedicated their time and efforts in preparing the shiurim as well as those involved in organising the event. Yasher Koach.

A brief synopsis of the shiurim presented follows:

• Moshe Shimon
• Noach Fried
• Eliezer Lebovits
• Ezra May

Moshe Shimon discussed the argument between Ramban and Rambam as to whether Teshuva is one of the 613 Mitzvot. The Ramban says it is a Mitzvas Aseh - positive commandment, while the Rambam says only the 'viduy' (confession) is a Mitzvas Aseh, while Teshuva itself is not. He then proceeded to talk about the paradox of a positive commandment which is attached to a prohibition ("lav hanitak le'aseh") eg stealing carries with it the commandment to repent.
Moshe resolved the apparent enigma by referring to the creation. Upon creation of man Hashem did not say "it was good" whereas with all other creations, He did. G-d created us, but unlike all other creations, He did not 'complete' us. It is our task to continually aspire to 'return' to G-d using the qualities and tools He has given us.

Eliezer Lebovits wove an intricate tapestry of stories, vertlech and explanations centred around the issue of realizing our potential in Avodas Hashem. He inspired the crowd with a story of the famous Netziv, Rosh Yeshiva of the Volozhin Yeshiva in Europe. The Netziv, who originally was not successful in his Torah studies almost ended up a shoemaker. A complete change of heart on his part led him to become one of the greatest Rosh Yeshivos of the last century. Had the Netziv become a shoemaker and arrived after 120 to Heaven, they would have asked him "where are all of the great Seforim you had the potential to write?" He would have answered quite honestly, "I am but a simple shoemaker, how can you expect these things from me?" But the truth is he HAD the capacity for greatness and prolific Torah Chiddushim, as he in fact did demonstrate.
Sometimes we 'believe' certain achievements are beyond our capacity. Based on our past history, they are. But have we really tried? Have we really given 100% to reveal and utilise all of our potential? Chodesh Elul, Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippur are about realizing our hidden potential and aiming for great things! We must all aim for a GREAT year, a year when the greatness of potential Hashem has given will be put into action!

Ezra May spoke about the timing of Rosh Hashanah in the Jewish calendar it the lesson it conveys to us. While the day of Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the day G-d created the world, it is actually the day that He created man. If so why don't we celebrate when the creation actually started – 6 days earlier? The answer is that this is the very core of R"H. Up until the 6th day of creation – the creation of Man, there was no one to voluntarily proclaim Hashem as King of the World.
Before Man, Hashem was Ruler of the World – everything on Earth had no choice but to recognise or proclaim Hashem as King. It was only after Man was created with his unique element of possessing free choice to recognise or reject Hashem, that Hashem could be referred to as a King. A King rules without the threat of fear of immediate retribution for disobedience but rather with the voluntary consent, recognition and loyalty of his subjects. On the 6th day the purpose of creation was realised, with the creation of man - the proclamation of Hashem as King.