Monday, Iyar 7, 5785 (22nd day of the Omer) / May 5, 2025

Shalom from Israel, where miracles happen every day and every minute. I was praying this morning in Shul, only a few kilometers from Ben Gurion Airport, when the missile from Yemen landed at the Airport. The BOOM was deafening… What a miracle.. G-d forbid if it would have landed anywhere closer… MIRACLES upon MIRACLES. Indeed, as the Torah says, “G-d’s eyes are upon Israel from the beginning of the year until the end of the year!” May G-d protect His Land and His people always.

From after Pesach, during the summer months, we recite a chapter of Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers) each Shabbat. This coming Shabbat we will recite the third chapter. Here are a few excerpts from this chapter of Pirkei Avot:

Rabbi Akiva said: "Everything is given on collateral, and a net is spread over all the living; the shop is open, the shopkeeper [G-d] extends credit, the ledger is open, the hand writes, and whoever wishes to borrow, let him come and borrow; the collectors make their rounds regularly, each day, and exact payment from man with or without his knowledge… And everything is prepared for the feast".

These words were said over 2,000 years ago and are as true today. We live in a world in which we rely so much on credit. It may seem free and easy in the beginning, but there is payment to be made one day. According to Rabbi Akiva, "The store is open." This world is like a store. We have free choice in whatever we do. However, "The ledger is open and the hand writes." An accurate record is kept up in heaven, for which accountability will have to be given. 

Rabbi Akiva concludes with, "Everything is prepared for the feast." This implies that there is great reward for those who have conducted themselves accordingly and who have accomplished their mission in this world. They lived their life knowing that there is accountability and a price to be paid for everything and will be rewarded for their good deeds in the end.

Rabbi Eliezer of Bartota said: "Give to Him of that which is His, for you and whatever is yours are His". 

Rabbi Eliezer of Bartota teaches us that we must realize that whatever we give to charity, we are in reality giving G-d that which is His to begin with. It was given to us on the condition, so we can do good deeds with it. Giving charity and helping others in need is our mission in this world. We are in reality the conduit through which Hashem helps others. Instead of giving the needy directly, He gives it to them through us, so that we will have the mitzvah and reward for this act which He could have done Himself. Thus, a person should view that whatever one gives to charity was meant to be given to charity in the first place. 

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa said: “Anyone with whom his fellowmen are pleased, G-d is pleased with him; but anyone with whom his fellowmen are not pleased; G-d is not pleased with him." 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW