B"H

Tuesday, Menachem Av 5, 5776 / August 9, 2016 - Hakhel year

This Shabbat, we begin the fifth and last Book of the Torah - the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy). 

In this Book of the Torah, Moshe's words to the Jewish people before his passing, his guidance and direction to them is recorded. He also recalls the significant events that occurred during the forty years of his leadership. The mistakes they made and the sufferings they endured as a result. For this reason, the Book of Devarim is also called "Mishne Torah" - "the review of the Torah." 

In Devarim, Moshe is addressing the second generation of the Jewish people, the children of those who left Egypt.  Although in Devarim, Moshe repeatedly warns the people about the punishments and exiles that may befall them for straying from G-d's ways, he also consoles them and tells them of the ultimate redemption with the coming of Moshiach. 

Moshe conveys to them the events of the past, so that when they enter the Promised Land, they would not repeat the mistakes of their parents.

We are now in the midst of the Three Week period, which began with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz (July 24) and will end on the fast of the 9th of Av (August 14).  During these three weeks we recall and mourn the great tragedies which befell our people with the destruction of the two Holy Temples.

Parshat Devarim is always read on the Shabbat preceding the fast of Tisha B'Av - the 9th of Av, the day in which the Holy Temples were destroyed. 

The purpose of mourning the destruction of the Temples is to bring about positive results.  It is a time to reflect on the cause which brought about the destruction, in order not to repeat it and to correct it.  This will bring about the rebuilding of the third Temple, through Moshiach. 

Our sages tell us that the sin that brought the destruction the Second Temple was "unjust" hate and strife among Jews.  The Talmud relates an episode in which one of the wealthy people of Jerusalem had a friend called Kamtza and a foe named Bar-Kamtza. He sent his servant to invite his friend Kamtza to a party, but the servant mistakenly invited his enemy, Bar-Kamtza.

When the host noticed his enemy, Bar Kamtza, at the party he ordered him to leave. Bar Kamtza offered to pay for his share of the meal. When this didn’t help, he offered to pay for half the party and then for the entire party. The host refused and made him leave the party, with great embarrassment, in full view of all who attended. The chain of events which resulted from this episode caused the destruction of the Second Temple.

Thus, during the three weeks we have to go the extra mile, in showing our care and love for others.  For this reason, it is customary to give extra charity during these days to help others in need. In the merit of all the good deeds, may we merit the arrival of Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY