| There is a Mitzvah in the Torah (also brought by the Rambam in Hilchos Ta'anis) to blow Chatzotzros in time of war. HaRav Matisyahu Salomon, Shlita, in his special Kuntres Ki Savo'u Milchama B'Artzechem published in connection with the last Gaza conflict in 2014, brings from the Sefer HaChinuch that Chatzotzros are intended to spur a person to true Tefillah. Yes, even in times of war or sakana, one needs to overcome his chumrius, being dragged down by complacency and inertia, and instead be aroused to proper and heartfelt Tefillah. As we don't have Chatzotzros today, each one of us must develop his/her own methods for arousal, including visualizing the soldiers on the battlefield or the captives being held by savages, and believing with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY that it is ONLY HASHEM that can help them, and that THE TEFILLOS/ TEHILLIM THAT I AM ABOUT TO RECITE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. After coming to this realization, what exactly should one be davening for? HaRav Salomon teaches that it is not only the instant goal for the eradication of the brutal and heinous terrorists that we should be davening, but that on a greater level our Tefillos should be that Hashem bring an end to all of our Tzaros in this bitter Glaus, as we say in Selichos 'Yisroel Nosha BaHashem Teshuas Olamim--Hashem provides eternal salvation to His people…' We not only have the right and the ability to daven for the ultimate redemption---but we are absolutely obligated to do so. As the Mesilas Yesharim (end of Chapter 19) famously teaches that one should never say about himself: "Who am I that my Tefillos should be answered to bring an end to this Galus?" Instead, one should daven for the Geulah with Kavanna, for it may be your very Tefillah that brings the Geulah! To bring the great importance of each person's personal Tefillah home, HaRav Matisyahu then brings an amazing teaching from the Mabit in the Sefer Bais Elokim (Sha'ar HaTefillah, Chapter 17), in which the Mabit explains that although the multitudes have been davening for the Geulah for so many years, and there certainly has been much Kavannah in pleading for redemption for so many hundreds and hundreds of years, what Hashem is expecting from us is not only quality of Tefillah—but quantity of Tefillah! The fact that the Geulah has not yet come means that the quantity, the amount of Tefillah has not yet reached Hashem's minimum requisite. It is therefore absolutely essential that we add our Tefillos—the Tefillos of this last generation to the Tefillos of all the previous generations together so that collectively all of our Tefillos reach the qualitative and quantitative threshold of Tefillah needed—with our job being to complete it! | | "We are responsible for our character. Don't say, 'That's how I am!' That's untrue. We have free will and we're able to control our characters. For middos (character traits), everybody is accountable: men and women, and boys and girls. Character--that's the touchstone, that's the test by which all mitzvos and all aveiros (sins) are measured." [Excerpted from Simcha Minute--Inspiring Quotations by Rabbi Avigdor Miller, Z'tl] | | On the pasuk we recite daily "HaRofeh Lishvurei Lev--Who heals the brokenhearted (Tehillem 147:3), the Ibn Ezra comments--Ailu Aveilei Tzion, these are the mourners over Yer1ushalayim. Dovid HaMelech is teaching us that the Galus is a painful experience, a time we need a Refuah from. In contrast, the Chidah points out that the term 'Yismach' — to be happy in the future, is the same letters as Moshiach! Not only will be healed when the Moshiach comes, but we will gain a new happiness. Let us daven not only for ourselves, but for all of K'lal Yisroel and the whole world that we all experience Yismach, not only soon but PISOM— suddenly and very, very soon! | | Why are words which are prohibited because they could lead to Lashon Hara called Avak Lashon Hara? What does the term Avak mean and teach us? | | No one is too old, too smart or too sophisticated to appreciate a sincere compliment. [Excerpted from Positive Word Power (Artscroll, Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation)] | | At the end of HaNeiros Halalu we will recite words in which we thank and praise Hashem--Al Nisecha VeAl Niflaosecha VeAl Yeshuasecha. Please recall or study the difference between these three important acknowledgments--Nisecha, Niflaosecha and Yeshuasecha! | | | As we daven daily for peace in Eretz Yisrael and the world over (remember to say with feeling--Bechol Eis U'Vechol Sha'ah Bishlomecha), we should recall the following two exceedingly important points: 1. If one is aware of a dispute among family or friends which he himself cannot stop, he must not take part in it in any way, as taking sides only fuels the dispute and could even enlarges it. Furthermore, if one of the principals in the machlokes simply stops in his tracks--he has eliminated the danger to the lives of himself and his family in this world and the next (Chofetz Chaim, Sefer Shemiras HaLashon, Chapter 16) 2. As we will learn in this week's Parasha, the only legitimate fight to have is with the Yetzer Hara. Let us look for a moment at the results of that battle: Yaakov was temporarily injured at his thigh and subsequently healed, yet his descendants for all time remember what the Yetzer Hara can do to a person through the prohibition of Gid Hanasheh. On the other hand, the Yetzer Hara, having been bested in battle, went back to sing shira to Hashem! Beating the Yetzer Hara is, simply put, a win-win situation! | | | The following is excerpted from Toras HaBayis, an exceptional English booklet adapted by Rabbi Shalom Naumann, from the Chofetz Chaim's great work Toras HaBayis. "There was once a prince, who was beloved by his father the king. The pampered prince had everything he needed or wanted. One day, the king summoned his son and told him he had an important task for him. The prince was to travel to a faraway land. His destination was a primitive land where he would dwell in a hut, wear coarse, uncomfortable clothing, and eat unsavory foods. The inhabitants of this faraway country were not particularly sophisticated, and he would have no friends. Why, the prince wanted to know. Why would his wise, caring father send him to such a terrible place? The king explained, "In this faraway land, there are millions of precious, shining gems, each one unique. The gems lie on the floor, as common as pebbles in our lands, and are free for the taking. The ignorant people of that land do not appreciate the treasure lying at their feet. You, however, being well acquainted with precious jewels from the palace, will be able to evaluate each stone." Spending just a short time under uncomfortable conditions, the prince would collect the jewels and become one of the wealthiest men in the world, famous for his spectacular treasury. Hashem is the King, and we are His sons. Although we were happily basking in His presence, He sent us to this world, because only here can we accumulate mitzvos, valuable jewels in the World-to-Come. To help us, Hashem gave us His precious Torah. If we dedicate ourselves to its study, it will guide us on our mission. Every word of Torah we learn is another mitzvah, so in a single twenty-four hour period, we can amass thousands of precious jewels. If we learn constantly, we can earn countless gems each year and many times more throughout a lifetime. However, because the Torah is so readily available, not everyone appreciates its worth, much like the natives of that faraway land. We must be wise like the prince and recognize the value of the Torah while we are still in this world. Shlomo Hamelech, renowned for both his knowledge of Torah and his vast wealth, declared (Mishlei 3:15): "It is worth more than pearls, and all of your possessions do not equal it.' Chazal (Yerushalmi Pe'ah 1:1) explain that one word of Torah is worth more than all the physical possessions of the world combined. People scuba-dive to collect pearls. We need only to start learning!" Hakhel Note: Especially remember the Chofetz Chaim's analogy when it appears that you may have a learning roadblock--and figure out a way to get to the pearls! | | Was this message forwarded to you by someone? Sign up for your own copy using the button below | | | | |
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