B"H
Thursday, Nissan 29, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 14th Sefirah / April 19, 2023
Each night, between Passover and Shavuot, we perform the mitzvah of counting the Omer. We recite a special blessing and mention the number of the Omer of that day.
The purpose of this mitzvah is to prepare for receiving The Torah, which took place on Shavuot. The purpose of the Exodus was to give us the Torah at Mount Sinai. Our sages tell us that true freedom is not when one is free from responsibilities, but rather when one knows their responsibilities and does them. To achieve this goal, G-d gave the Jewish people The Torah and mitzvot.
To help us incorporate the true meaning of freedom, we study Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), beginning the Shabbat after Passover. Pirkei Avot is a compilation of the teachings of the Talmudic sages dealing with proper behavior toward G-d and toward each other.
In Russia, there lived a peasant farmer who never experienced riding aboard a train. One day, he had to travel to Moscow. He went to the city to catch the train going to Moscow. When he arrived at the train station, he was told that he must purchase a ticket. Being a wealthy peasant, he bought a first-class ticket and waited for the train to pull into the station. More people gathered near the tracks waiting for the train. Not knowing exactly what to do, he decided to watch the other people and do the same.
When the train finally arrived, he noticed that some of them ran to the back of the train, dashed up the steps and hid under the seats of the train. Thinking that this was the procedure, he did the same.
When the conductor passed through, he noticed a man under the seat. "Where do you think you are traveling without a ticket," the conductor barked as he pulled the farmer out from under the seat. "You will have to pay for a seat, or you will be out of the train at the next station!"
"But I did pay for a seat on the train," pleaded the farmer, showing the conductor his first-class ticket. The conductor checked the ticket and realized that it was indeed a valid first-class ticket.
"This is a first-class ticket, where in addition to a comfortable and luxury ride, you also get served three meals a day! Why are you in third class and under the seat?!"
"I had no idea what to do, so I followed whatever the other people did," replied the farmer.
The conductor laughed; "The others have no tickets, so they hide to avoid being caught. But you, with your first-class ticket, you should be traveling in luxury and comfort!"
The same applies to The Torah and mitzvot. G-d liberated us from Egyptian slavery and gave us The Torah to imbue our life with purpose, meaning and value. Trading G-d's way of life as prescribed by The Torah, for man-made values, is like the farmer who has a first-class ticket but rides under a third class seat! The lessons of Pirkei Avot guide us not to make that mistake.
Thursday night begins the two days of Rosh Chodesh of the month Iyar, through Friday & Shabbat.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY