With the turmoil of Galus all around us, we experience a feeling of fear and strict justice. Bilam himself exclaimed, "Oy-Mi Yichyeh M'Sumo Kel--Oy--who will survive when He imposes these?!" (Bamidbar 24:23) It would seem appropriate, especially upon entering the period of the Three Weeks, for each one of us to do what we can to avoid this din, this strict justice, upon us individually and upon our families. After all, Hillel teaches in Avos, "Im ain ani li mi li--If I am not for myself who will be for me?" (Avos 1:14) 1. The Gemara (Rosh HaShana 17A) teaches "For one who passes over his Middos (e.g., does not anger, does not take vengeance, and does not react--even when the situation may completely justify it)--Hashem will, in turn, pass over his sins. The Cheshbon is simple-you control yourself even when justified, and Hashem likewise controls His anger against you--even when justified. 2. The Gemara (Sotah 21A) teaches that the study of Torah does not only save one from punishment once punishment has commenced--but actually even shields and protects one before the onset of any new punishment, as well. The Gemara explains (based upon the Posuk in Mishlei (6:23)), that Torah is compared to the light of the sun, which unlike the light of a candle that eventually is extinguished, successfully provides light for a person day after day. In the summertime, when the Tinokos Shel Beis Rabban--the schoolchildren--study less than when in school, we should try to make up the slack by learning a little more ourselves. 3. We must realize that the penultimate pasuk of Eicha (5:21) is--Hashiveinu Hashem Eilecha V'Nashuva…. One important thing we can do during this time is to review the Ahl Cheits, and focus upon any areas in which we have become, or currently are, lax or lacking. Teshuva--now is the time! | | Especially in this period, we must remember the words of the Mesilas Yesharim, who teaches that the Tefillos of each and every person for the Geulah make a difference and are important. By clicking on the following links we once again provide the Tefillah Ahl HaGeulah (Hebrew version)
Let us remember that, in this week's Haftarah, Hashem tells Yirmiyahu HaNavi (Yirmiyahu 1:7): Ahl Tomar Na'ar Anochi--do not say "I am but a youth"--Hashem tells this to each and every one of us. Each and every one of us should view it as a personal right and responsibility to plead with Hashem for the Geulah to come not only this year, not only this month—but today—and PISOM! | | HaRav Shlomo Mandel, Shlita, brings a Maharsha (to Bechoros 8), who compares the three-week period between Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah to the Three Weeks between Shivah Asar B'Tammuz and Tisha B'Av. It is a twinship of process, and a twinship of culmination. These are days of examination, thinking, repairing, changing one's mindset and ways, a time in which one must put himself into his best working order. HaRav Mandel teaches that much of what we must do during this period is to re-forge our relationship with Hashem. Why? Let us look at the words of the Navi. In the Haftarah of Shabbos Chazon, Yeshayahu HaNavi (Yeshaya 1:3) laments: "Yadah Shor Koneihu V'Chamor Eivus Ba'alav…--the ox knows its owner, and a donkey his master's trough, Yisrael does not know, my nation does not perceive…." If the animals recognize who provides them with their sustenance and enables them to live, function and achieve that which they are supposed to--then we, all the more so, must apply the lessons 'a million times over' and recognize HaKadosh Baruch Hu in all that we do. HaRav Mandel brings an incredible Maharal (in Parashas Bereishis) who teaches that if a person is not a Makir Tovah, then it is forbidden to do him a Tovah. HaRav Mandel explains that it appears a bit like Lifnei Iver for a person to do a good deed to someone who will not recognize it--for he will then be punished for being a Kafui Tovah--for denying the good(!). In a similar vein, Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, Shlita, points out that it is not by coincidence that we are to recite the Birkos HaShachar--every day--at the top of the day. These brachos should definitely reintroduce us to a Hakarah, to a recognition of what Hashem does for us on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis. It is also no coincidence, Rabbi Salomon adds, that the first bracha is Asher Nasan Lasechvi Vinah. According to one interpretation, this refers to Hashem giving the rooster the understanding to distinguish between day and night. What is the great understanding here? After all, this is something that the rooster does day in and day out, when it senses the same thing that it sensed the day before?! Rabbi Salomon answers that a true appreciation is one in which we thank Hashem for the daily abilities of our legs to walk together in the same direction, for our bodies to be able to be lifted out of bed, and for all of the senses, intellect and gifts that we are blessed with today. It is not because we had them yesterday that we by any means or 'automatically' get them again today. Will we eat good food today--or dog food? Will we be able to articulate the words of our brachos and tefillos, the Torah thought and the compliment--or will the words not come out properly, or in disarray? Will we be able to pass by aisles and aisles of over-the-counter medications in the pharmacy as we go to purchase a tube of toothpaste, without having to purchase any of them? Will we be able to check "no" to the scores of health and illness related questions on the doctor's questionnaire when seeing him for the first time? Remember--when the Beis HaMikdash comes the foremost result will be that we will have an extremely direct and personal relationship with Hashem--if we work on that now, to the extent that we can--how the more ready we will be for the day when our Ruchniyus will be lifted further and our lives fully fulfilled! Hakaras HaTov--let us work on it over the Three Weeks with focused Birkos HaShachar, an understanding in our brachos throughout the day--and by recognizing throughout the day how Hashem allows us, guides us and moves us through the circumstances, situations and events of each and every day! | | PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS TO BRING THE WORLD'S ETERNAL DAYTIME EARLIER | | 1. At the end of Shemone Esrei every day, and at the end of each Kaddish, "Oseh Shalom Bimromav Hu Ya'aseh Shalom Aleinu V'Ahl Kol Yisrael V'Imru Amein" is recited. [The Meforshim on the Siddur explain that the V'Imru Amein in our silent Shemone Esrei is addressed to the Malochim who accompany us.] What a powerful phrase--especially at this time--to have Kavannah in, and to which to respond Amein (in Kaddish) with great Kavannah and fervor. 2. The Sefer Mesilas Yesharim teaches that a person's ultimate and true goal should be to give Nachas Ruach to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Focus on what you are about to say or do several times a day--do I think that this is going to give Hashem true Nachas Ruach? 3. If K'lal Yisrael is in this desperate situation because Hashem is upset or angry with us, then we must act to others in a manner in which we are not upset or angry with them. Likewise, if it is Din that K'lal Yisrael is experiencing, then we are looking for Rachamim B'Din--which we can receive on a middah k'neged middah basis by our acting with mercy towards others. Remember--Hashem Tzilecha--Hashem is our shadow! It is all very much related! 4. The Gedolim have suggested that one should try to study more Torah. The Steipeler Gaon would urge those seeking Kapparah to relearn things that they already knew--as this would bring about Kapparah, for a person wants to by nature learn something new--and that reviewing over again what one already knows can serve as 'yissurin' and bring about Kapparah! 5. Towards the end of Mesechta Ta'anis, we learn that Abba Umna was given Shalom by the Mesivta D'Rakiyah every day. The Gemara explains that this was largely because in treating his patients while bloodletting, he kept the men and women separate and gave the women modest garments to wear during the procedure. The Gemara then continues that Eliyahu Hanavi showed Rav Bruna a prison warden who would be a Ben Olam Haba because he kept the male and female prisoners separate, and did not let them co-mingle. In last week's Parasha, we find that Bilam praised K'lal Yisrael with the words Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov--how beautiful is our modesty and privacy. In turn, last week's Haftarah (Micha 6:8) concludes with the question: What does Hashem seek of you?: "…V'Hatznei'ah Leches Im Elokecha--walking modestly with Hashem." We emphasize that both men and women must demonstrate their own unique and royal status and privilege by dressing themselves (and their children) appropriately when going out into the world, when in Shul, and when in the confines of one's own home. Remember--V'Hatznei'ah Leches Im Elokecha--we must walk modestly with Hashem--that is what Hashem expects of us! | | REMEMBER--SEVER PANIM YAFOS | | Over the Three Week period, one of a person's great accomplishments would be true improvement in Bein Adam L'Chaveiro. As the Chofetz Chaim outlines at the outset of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim, the Second Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of the aveira of Sinas Chinam/Lashon Hara. HaRav Chaim Friedlander, Z'tl, in the Sefer Sifsei Chaim, writes that Sever Panim Yafos--meeting and reacting to a person with thought, care and pleasantness would be a great accomplishment resulting from the Three Week period. Even when not meeting someone in person, HaRav Friedlander continues, one should talk over the phone in a way in which the person on the other end feels the smile. To aid in the sometimes difficult task, no matter how busy or preoccupied you may be, we once again provide a check-off calendar for the Three Weeks, starting Sunday. If you feel that the constant obligation to do so is too difficult, may we suggest that you undertake this goal consciously, one or two or three times a day, or perhaps with one or two or three specific people a day (could be family members or difficult people to work or deal with!). We wish everyone Hatzlacha in this endeavor, and may the Geulah Sheleimah be before us all, not only soon—but, in the zechus of Sever Panim Yafos each and every day—even today—as soon as you have ended your next smile! | | Was this message forwarded to you by someone? Sign up for your own copy using the button below | | | | | | |
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