| If you begin tomorrow with Mishnayos Mesechta Yoma, and study just three Mishnayos a day, you will complete Mesechta Yoma before Yom Kippur, and if you then continue to study three Mishnayos a day of Mesechta Sukkah, you will complete Mesechta Sukkah before the end of Sukkos. | | | We will soon be definitively working on Kabalos for 5781. Let us, bli neder, commit to make those Kabalos practical ones that will be written into a notebook or kept in a log on an ongoing basis in order to assist in compliance--to be reviewed next year at this time--hopefully, in its zechus, in the Beis HaMikdash! Hakhel Note: As a start, please see the end of this Bulletin for some samples. | | | Many may be unaware, or are simply pressured for time in the mornings, but it is an absolute Halachic obligation to have basic Kavannos before putting on one's Tzitzis/Tallis and one's Tefillin (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 8:8, and 25: 5). By the following links, we provide cards which contain the minimum Kavannos, as approved by HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, to recite before putting on one's Tzitzis/Tallis and Tefillin. Very important! | | | HaRav Shimshon Pincus, Z'tl, teaches that Dovid HaMelech was mesakein to recite 100 brachos a day so that we maintain a constant connection and communication with Hashem through our waking hours. That being said, HaRav Pincus pleads with us not to waste these precious times of connection and communication with brachos expressed mindlessly and/or too quickly and/or under-the-breath. He notes that one way one can focus on his brachos is to make sure when reciting a bracha that he realizes that the word 'Elokeinu' is four syllables. This is certainly one method of improving one's brachos—you may have your own. Especially at this time of year as we strive to increase and beautify our relationship with Hashem, one should improve his brachos recitation in some way! | | | In the seventeenth bracha of Shemone Esrei, (referred to by Chazal as the bracha of Avoda), we plead and appeal to Hashem to return the Avoda to the Beis HaMikdash. How was this bracha recited in the Beis HaMikdash itself--and how will it be recited B'EH in the near future? Following is the Nusach provided by the Rosh and the Tiferes Yisrael: "Retzei Hashem Elokeinu Avodas Amecha Yisrael V'ishei Yisrael U'sefilasam Sikabel B'Ratzon U'sehi L'Ratzon Tomid Avodas Yisrael Amecha. Baruch Atta Hashem Shochein B'Tzion." Hakhel Note: As we recite the bracha of Retzei--let us contemplate how wonderfully the bracha will change, and let us long to recite those modified words! May it happen—Pisom! | | | One of the great aspects of Rosh Hashana is K'lal Yisrael proceeding in unity to declare Hashem's Malchus over us, and our unified hope that His Malchus will reign over the whole world in the very near future. The Torah (Devarim 33:5) teaches: "VaYehi Vishurun Melech Behisaseif Roshei Am Yachad Shivtei Yisrael--He became King over Yisrael...the tribes of the nation in unity." The Ba'alei Mussar point out that we learn from this Pasuk that "Ain Melech BeLo Am--there is no king without a nation". Accordingly, we must strive for unity among disparity in preparation for Rosh Hashana. In this regard, we provide the following practical and remarkable excerpt from the Sefer Yearning with Fire, by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, Shlita (Artscroll): "There is a model of Jewish marriage that counselors use to help couples understand the goals of their union. It is a pyramid, with each spouse at one corner of the base and Hashem at the pinnacle. The greater the distance from Hashem that they stand, the farther apart are the spouses. As they climb spiritually--toward the pinnacle-- they come ever closer to each other. This model works for us as a nation, too. When our striving is toward Hashem, the distance between us diminishes. Rather than having our unity thrust upon us by our enemies, we can embrace it, and thereby stand ready to be redeemed." Hakhel Note: In a similar vein, Rabbi Yechiel Spero, Shlita, teaches that on the doors of the Yeshiva in Kelm, the following words were posted: "Achdus Ha'avadim Hi Kiyum HaMalchus"--our own unity crowns Hashem in a wonderful way. Rabbi Spero therefore suggests that every person take the initiative to be mochel another person, even if he knows that he is in the right--and the person he is being mochel is at fault. With this selfless act, the antithesis of self-centeredness, one is not only elevating himself as a human being--but elevating Hashem into a greater position of Malchus as well! Additional Note: Try it--today! | | | SEVERAL ADDITIONAL POINTS AND POINTERS RELATING TO THE ELEVATED DAYS OF ELUL | | | A. In the Seforim that give Eitzos L'Yom HaDin--advice as to how one can succeed at the time of judgment, one of the leading items on every list is to be Dan L'Chaf Zechus--to judge others favorably. This means that just as one can, in almost all cases, find a rational reason or excuse for what he has done, one must do the same for others. The critical view of another, especially in the difficult and self-centered western society we live in, may be viewed as a more cautious and more appropriate approach in many circumstances. We note, however, that this is an absolutely incorrect approach when viewing your family members and your friends, who are serious Torah Jews. If one indeed finds that he 'naturally' looks at everything and everyone with that critical eye, we may suggest that, just as we noted yesterday--that one can and should daven for Hashem to help him with Teshuvah (Hashiveini V'Ashuvah Ki Atta Hashem Elokai!)--so too, should he daven to Hashem to help guide him to judge others in a more favorable light. The very fact that we daven for Hashem's help is an indication of the direction we wish to turn. B. The Ba'alei Mussar teach that one great technique to defeat the Yetzer Hara is to simply delay, push off that which he is trying to accomplish--whether it be anger, overindulging, the inappropriate word, the questionable charge, or any of the other tests that face us daily. There is an important counterpart to this. It is--when a Mitzvah presents itself, not to in any way defer or delay it, or condition it upon something else happening--but rather perform it without allowing time for the Yetzer Hara to negotiate. Just as one succeeds by slowing down the path to an aveirah or even a questionable act, he should speed up the path to the Mitzvah before the surprising detour or road block can be deceitfully placed. The concept, of course, applies to one's Torah studies as well. If one needs to look up something, he can write it down to look up later, and it may end up on a 'to-do' list--or he can exert the effort of standing up, going to the Sefer that he needs, opening it, finding what he needs--and bringing the matter to its prompt conclusion. Every step along the way--the standing up, the walking, the opening of the Sefer--and even the pleasure of finding what one was looking for--are all separate parts of the joyous accomplishment of a Mitzvah in its prompt and proper time! C. Chazal (Brachos 29B) teach that Eliyahu taught Rav Yehuda: "Lo Tirtach VeLo Sechetei--do not get angry, for through your anger you will come to sin." If we are looking for ways at this time of year to avoid sin, avoiding anger at all costs is certainly an important one! As we feel a moment of frustration, irritation, annoyance or anger setting in or coming on--let us remember the teaching of none other than Eliyahu HaNavi-- Lo Tirtach VeLo Sechetei. D. A fascinating point made by HaRav Chaim Friedlander, Z'tl, is that when Hashem remembers each and every one of our deeds on Rosh Hashana, He not only remembers them on a singular and individual basis, but how on an aggregate basis all of the actions over the year shape a person into a different human being--reaching towards his potential, or c'v, away from it. We must know that Hashem's remembrance of us is (Zichronos)--are not dry notations on a computer, but are Hashem's notes of what we had done 'Lifnei Chisei Chevodecha--before Hashem's throne." Hashem's notes contain everything that needs to be read between the lines, and especially give everything we do, whether we perceive the action to be 'major' or 'minor', the true importance they deserve--because of who we really are. E. The Ba'al HaTurim (Shemos 38:27) teaches that the 100 brachos we make every day correspond to the 100 adanim that supported the walls of the Mishkan--for just as the 100 adanim were the base upon which the Mishkan rested, so too, are our 100 brachos the base for our Avodas Hashem, which brings the Shechina into our lives on a constant basis. Through a bracha, HaRav Friedlander writes, we not only remind ourselves about Hashem's presence in the world, but remind ourselves that Hashem is before us and close to us--as, after all, we recite the word 'Atta'. HaRav Friedlander especially suggests that in the days of Elul, as a preparation for Malchiyos and Zichronos, one strengthen himself in the area of brachos. He specifically suggests the following two items: (1) After reciting the words 'Baruch Atta' one should stop before reciting the word 'Hashem' and think: 'I am about to mention the name of Hashem; and (2) When reciting the words 'Hashem Elokeinu' one should think that Hashem is 'Master of All, He Was, Is and Will Be, and at His Will keeps everything in existence.' If one feels that these two wonderful steps are too difficult for all brachos, HaRav Friedlander suggests that it be done when reciting Birkas HaNehenin (HaMotzi, Shehakol, etc. and Asher Yatzar). Through this, one will bring himself closer to Hashem at various points of the day…and Hashem is close to all who are close to Him! | | | WE ONCE GAIN PROVIDE A BRIEF, SAMPLE LIST OF ITEMS ONE MAY CONSIDER IMPROVING UPON, AND ESPECIALLY WORKING ON IN THE MONTH OF ELUL. LET US NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT--LET US TAKE ACTION NOW! 1. Coming to Shul on time for davening without having to skip. 2. Coming to Shiurim on time. 3. Wearing truly appropriate clothing while davening. 4. Making Brachos properly-with Kavannah, bentsching from a Siddur, making sure to make the right brocha on the food; especially being careful with the brachos of Shehakol and Borei Nefashos which are recited so many times a day, and can really serve in someone's stead when recited properly! 5. Reciting at least the first paragraph of Shema and the first bracha of Shemone Esrei with Kavannah; spending the time now to properly have the necessary "quick" Kavannah ready when reciting Shema and Shemone Esrei. 6. Reciting Modim and Aleinu L'Shabeach with Kavannah. 7. Making a personal request at the end of each Shemone Esrei. 8. Making sure to privately thank Hashem during the course of the day for something specific that you just realized or were made aware of, or that just occurred--by thinking or voicing the words "Thank You, Hashem." 9. Making sure that the Hashgacha you are eating from is truly a good one. 10. Not wasting time in frivolous chatter or discussions which are not worthwhile. 11. Not making sarcastic comments, and not using biting words (Remember: No shtuchs!) . 12. Having Kavannah for the rebuilding of Yerushalayim and the coming of Moshiach three times a day in Shemone Esrei. 13. Sticking to the Truth. 14. Avoiding a response based on laziness. 15. Curbing a particular desire in some way every day; certainly not overeating or overindulging. 16. Avoiding inane or impure thoughts which hurt the Neshama. 17. Making proper use of the eyes and ears. 18. Having a plan in place to use if you feel you are getting angry or if you realize you are already angry. 19. When being stubborn, stopping to think whether it is for the correct reasons. 20. Showing respect for elders (actually standing up when they come within four amos of you); smiling at them and praising them. 21. Showing the proper respect for Seforim (studying from, straightening out, cleaning and kissing them). 22. Not being overly frugal when it comes to Mitzvos and to the needs of others. 23. Not turning the desire for money (Chemdas HaMamon) into an Avoda Zara. 24. Not doing something which is disgusting, or at least would not be viewed kindly by other people--whether or not they see you do it. 25. Not doing something else in front of someone who is talking to you; showing them a pleasant countenance, appearance and smile. 26. Looking up/asking the Halacha when you need to know it or are unsure; or, if it is too late, at least looking it up now for next time. 27. Making sure that your Mezuzos are checked every three and a half years; if you are not sure of the last time you had them checked, but know that it was quite a while ago--then checking them now--before Rosh Hashana. 28, 29 and 30. Please submit three additional examples to us based upon your reflection. If you cannot come up with three of your own, then your introspection needs introspection! | | | Was this message forwarded to you by someone? Sign up for your own copy using the button below | | | | | | |
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