Today, as a Zechus for K'lal Yisroel world over, when the decision comes up as to whether you should now perform a Mitzvah or do something else—do not delay—and do the Mitzvah! |
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THE CHOFETZ CHAIM HERITAGE FOUNDATION HAS IN THE PAST ASKED EVERYONE TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF SAYING THE FOLLOWING SIX WORD TEFILLAH ONCE A DAY OR SEVERAL TIMES A DAY: "HASHEM, PLEASE WATCH OVER K'LAL YISROEL!" IN THE HEBREW—"SHOMER YISRAEL, SHEMOR SHE'EIRIS YISROEL!" THIS IDEA HAS BEEN STRONGLY ENDORSED BY HARAV SHMUEL KAMENETSKY, SHLITA. |
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"When Shlomo HaMelech compiled the book of Koheles, his primary goal was for man to take to heart that the attainment of worldly pleasures and its glory is the quintessence of futility, and that the world should be utilized solely for serving Hashem. He revealed [this as] his intention at the beginning and end of Koheles. He prefaced his words by saying (Koheles 1:2), "Futility of futilities, said Koheles. Futility of futilities, everything is futile." Our Sages, z'l, said (Koheles Rabbah 3:11), "Had someone else said these words, we would have said, 'Perhaps he views this world as futile because he has never managed to earn [even] two perutos within his lifetime.' But Shlomo, about whom the pasuk states (I Melachim 10:27), "The king placed silver [in the streets] of Yerushalayim like stones'—he is befitting to tell us how the world is the quintessence of futility!" And Shlomo concluded his work by saying (Koheles 12:13), "In summation, [after] everything is heard: fear G-d and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man." [Excerpted from the Sha'arei Teshuvah 2:20, English translation of the Sha'arei Teshuvah courtesy of Feldheim] Hakhel Note: When a monetary test arises in life, as it does on an almost daily basis, we should return to Shlomo HaMelech's teaching—how will I use this as Avodas Hashem? |
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At this crucial point in world history, we must carefully study and implement the words of Chazal who teach that in order to be saved from the Chevlei Moshiach one must be oseik in Torah and Gemilas Chasodim. One wonders, however: "I am really oseik in Torah and Gemilas Chasodim every day on my own--what more can I do? What did Chazal mean--were they talking to the more low-level person?" A Rav advised us that each person should view Chazal as talking to each and every person individually-- and suggested that each person should do something more daily in Torah and Chesed--for the express purpose of being saved from Chevlei Moshiach. He explained that with regard to Torah--it could be a few more minutes of something that you had been previously learning, or a new Sefer, or a new Chavrusah--once again, for the express purpose for you to be saved from the Chevlei Moshiach. Similarly, with respect to Chesed, the Rav recommended that one consciously do a particular act of Chesed for the express purpose of being saved. "Doing so is not a selfish or a 'prize-seeking' act" he continued. "It is quite to the contrary, recognizing and fulfilling the words of Chazal." The Rav urged each person to write down on a daily basis in a special Chevlei Moshiach Notebook (or file) what his extra Torah study and extra Chesed was. May the person who does so see with his own eyes how he is saved--and HaKadosh Baruch Hu's return to Tzion and Yerushalayim--speedily and in our day, not only soon—but Pisom! |
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THE TORAH JEW'S MORNING COFFEE |
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Many may enjoy sipping on a morning coffee, letting their mind wander and not really doing much of anything. The Sefer Sha'arei Teshuvah (2:15), however, teaches Yifkedeim LaBekarim—one should review in the morning his ways and deeds of the previous day, with a view for the upcoming day can be a better one. The Torah Jew's morning coffee is not only a pleasurable physical experience—but a pleasurable spiritual one as well. What a special opportunity for focus, direction and growth, so that they day unfolds in a positive way! |
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One other especially essential middah during these times is not to find fault in others, and certainly not in the community and in K'lal Yisrael as a whole. Chazal teach us that Gidon was chosen as a leader by Hashem because of his Limud Zechus on K'lal Yisrael. Recently, in the Daf Yomi we learned that the Malach Gavriel was given permission to reenter Hashem's Presence because he was Melamed Zechus on K'lal Yisrael. We should focus on Limud Zechus on an individual and communal basis at all times! |
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The Maharal explains that the name of Hashem of Keil is a sheim of Rachamim. All the more so, Keili—my G-d, is a sheim of Rachamim. Tehillim Chapter 22 begins with the duplicate term Keili, Keili. In these days of Din in general, and the Three Weeks in particular, we seek Hashem's Rachamim to overcome the midda of Din. May we suggest reciting Kepitel 22—Keili Keili with special Kavannah over the next two weeks. We note that the comfort we seek after Tisha B'Av is also referred to in the duplicate term of Nachamu Nachamu—Comfort us, Comfort us. In the zechus of our Keili Keili—may we be zoche to Nachamu Nachamu! |
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In Rabbi Goldwasser's masterful Shiur on anti-Semitism in our day at a Hakhel Yarchei Kallah, he noted the Meiletzer Rebbe's essential teaching: "Hashem grants no one permission to hurt a Jew if the Jews do not hurt each other." In this regard, everyone can and must do his part, and not look at it like a task that is beyond him or the K'lal. Indeed, in the zechus of promoting peace and harmony among others, one will be blessed with Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah and others will follow suit. |
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The following is excerpted from In the Ways of Chesed: Practical Thoughts and Insights from Moreinu HaRav Avrohom Pam, Z'tl, on the topic of Chesed by Rabbi Sholom Smith, Shlita: "Occasionally, Hashem sends a person an opportunity for chesed so that he, himself, can earn mercy and kindness from Heaven (see Shabbos 151b). Therefore, when a chance to do chesed comes a person's way he should consider it as if someone was throwing him a lifebelt to save him in a time of grave danger. Obviously, he would not reject the lifebelt, but would grab onto it with simcha and feelings of gratitude. So, too, should a person welcome the opportunity to do chesed for someone else, and not react with indifference or anger. He should grab the chance to help a fellow Jew which will open the Heavenly gates of mercy for him, as well. The story is told about Rabbi Yisrael Salanter who once became seriously ill and had to travel to Germany for medical treatment. His family hired a shammas (assistant) to accompany him and tend to his needs on the long journey to Western Europe. On the way, the shammas became sick and Reb Yisrael, himself, tended to his needs. The shammas was greatly embarrassed and refused to accept the assistance of the gadol hador whom he was hired to assist. Reb Yisrael attempted to calm the man down with the following remarks: "It seems that I, myself, need zechusim to recover from my illness. Therefore, Hashem has given me an opportunity to help another Jew recover from illness so that I will earn the merit to be able to achieve a refuah sheleimah. So, please let me serve you so that I, too, will recover." Hearing this, the man agreed, and both eventually recovered from their illnesses! Who can know the intricate plans of Hashem? What may seem like an act of chesed is in reality, the means to earn the infinitely greater Heavenly chesed. How can a person refuse such an opportunity?" |
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