B"H
Monday, Iyar 1, 5782 (16th day of the Omer)/ May 2, 2022
Happy Rosh Chodesh! Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh of the new month, Iyar - The first day in the new month, Iyar.
When there is only one day Rosh Chodesh then that day is the first day of the new month. However, when there are two days Rosh Chodesh, as this month, the first day Rosh Chodesh is the last day of the outgoing month (Nissan) and the second day Rosh Chodesh is the first day of the new month.
The month of Iyar is significant in Jewish history. King Solomon began the construction of the First Holy Temple in the month of Iyar. The month of Iyar is also significant in that every night of the month we perform the special mitzvah of counting the Omer – Sefirat HaOmer.
Today, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, is the Yartzeit of Rabbi Chaim Vital, who passed away in the year, 5380. Rabbi Chaim Vital was the illustrious student of the great Kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Lurie.
Also, the manna from heaven, which G-d supplied the Jewish people during their stay in the desert, began in Iyar. It continued forty years, until they were ready to go into the Promised Land.
Our sages say that the four letter which make up the name Iyar is an acronym for the Hebrew words, “I, G-d, am your healer.” We pray that all those who need a Refuah Shleimah, should be blessed with a complete and speedy recovery in this month. Amen.
This Shabbat we will recite the second chapter of Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers). In the beginning of the chapter our sages give us the following advice: “Contemplate three things and you will not come into the clutches of sin: Know what is above you; an eye which sees, an ear that hears, and all your deeds are written and recorded in a Book.”
“Know what is above you; an eye which sees, an ear that hears.” A wagon driver was driving a rabbi from one city to the next. As he drove by a field, he noticed bales of hay scattered in the field. Looking around and not seeing anyone, he decided to help himself to some of the hay.
He stopped the wagon and instructed the rabbi to keep his eyes and ears open; “As soon as you see anyone watching, give me a warning immediately.” The driver rushed into the field for some hay.
Suddenly the rabbi shouted, “Someone is watching! Someone is watching!” Startled, the driver dropped the hay, ran back and quickly drove off. A safe distance away, he turned to the rabbi and asked, “Are you sure someone was watching?”
The rabbi pointed toward heaven and said: “I’m positive! Someone was watching!”
HAVE A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY AND WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 2, 5782 (17th day of the Omer)/ May 3, 2022
This Shabbat, in the Diaspora, we read Parshat Kedoshim, while in Israel, where they are one Parsha ahead of us, will read Parshat Emor.
Of the many mitzvot (commandments) in Parshat Kedoshim are the following mitzvot: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall rebuke your fellow [when they do something wrong], but you shall not bear a sin [by embarrassing him in public]. You shall not take revenge, nor bear a grudge against the members of your people. You shall love your fellow as yourself. I am G-d.”
Q. “Love your fellow as yourself.” How can a person truly love another person like themselves?
A. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev explains it as follows: No person is perfect. Every person knows that they have faults and sometimes many faults. Yet, with all the faults that one has, they still love themselves and want the best for themselves. Says the Torah, “Love your fellow like yourself,” don’t let the other person’s faults get in the way of loving them, just as you don’t let your own faults stop you from loving yourself!”
Another explanation: If a person hurts themselves (did you ever close a door on your finger? I did), they wouldn’t think of hating and punishing their own hand which caused them the pain. It would only be adding more pain!
So too, says the Torah, “You shall not take revenge, nor bear a grudge against the members of your people. You shall love your fellow as yourself. I am G-d.” One should view their fellow as part of themselves, thus, even if they caused them pain, they should not seek revenge, for in the end you are only hurting yourself.
Q. Why doesthe Torah add, “I am G-d”?
A. Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzin explains it with the following episode: A man was once sentenced to be put to death. As they were leading him to the gallows his friend came running, screaming on top of his lungs, “Don’t hang him. He is not guilty! I am the guilty one!” At the same time the one being led to the gallows said, “Don’t believe him. He is lying, I am guilty!” The case was brought back to the king who told the judges to reexamine the case. The case was re-opened, and both were found not guilty.
The king then asked them, “Both of you knew that you were innocent, why did each of you claim that you committed the crime?”
Each one replied, “I love my friend with all my heart. I knew that he was innocent. I was ready to do anything, even give my life, so that he would live!” The king then exclaimed, “With such friends, please accept me as a friend too!” Thus, G-d says, “Love your fellow as yourself, I am G-d.” Between friends who love each other as themselves, I too want to be there, as your friend!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Thursday, Iyar 4, 5782 (19th day of the Omer)/ May 5, 2022
Yesterday was Yom Hazikaron – Day of Remembrance in Israel, for the Soldiers of the IDF, who gave their lives to protect the Holy Land and the millions of Jews living there. It is through their heroism and selflessness that kept Israel safe and vibrant to this day.
A passage from the Shabbat prayer remembering our martyrs: “They were beloved and pleasant during their lives and in their death were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions to carry out the will of their maker and the desire of their creator. May G-d remember them with favor together with the other righteous of the world and avenge the spilled blood of His servants.”
A resident of the city of Eilat, came to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and said, “We don’t have any special Tzaddikim (righteous people) buried in Eilat, as in so many other cities in Israel. What can I do when I need to pray at the grave of a most righteous person?”
The Rebbe answered, “Go to the military section in your local cemetery and pray at the grave of any of the fallen soldiers who are buried there. They are ALL very pure and most righteous.”
Today is Yom Ha-Atzmaut – celebrating Israel’s 74th Independence Day. We pray that G-d watch over the Holy Land and our brothers and sisters living there. Israel is G-d’s everlasting gift to the Jewish people. It has been ours for over 3000 years and will, G-d willing, be ours forever.
In honor of this special day, I quote from the following two Psalms, by King David:
Psalm 121: “I lift my eyes to the mountains – from where will my help come? My help will come from the L-rd, Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot falter; your guardian does not slumber. Indeed, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The L-rd is your guardian; the L-rd is your protective shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The L-rd will guard you from all evil; He will guard your soul. The L-rd will guard your going and your coming from now and for all time.”
Psalm 122: “I was happy when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the House of the L-rd.’ Our feet were standing within your gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem that is built like a city in which all Israel is united together… Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you have peace. May there be peace within your walls, serenity within your mansions. For the sake of my brethren and friends, I ask that there be peace within you!”
Israel is one of G-d’s greatest modern-day miracles which happened to our people. It is a constant day-to-day miracle. Let this wonderful miracle continue forever! May we merit the coming of Moshiach, and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple speedily in our days. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
AM YISRAEL CHAI – THE NATION OF ISRAEL SHAL LIVE ON AND ON AND ON…
B"H
Thursday, Iyar 4, 5782 (19th day of the Omer)/ May 5, 2022
Yesterday was Yom Hazikaron – Day of Remembrance in Israel, for the Soldiers of the IDF, who gave their lives to protect the Holy Land and the millions of Jews living there. It is through their heroism and selflessness that kept Israel safe and vibrant to this day.
A passage from the Shabbat prayer remembering our martyrs: “They were beloved and pleasant during their lives and in their death were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions to carry out the will of their maker and the desire of their creator. May G-d remember them with favor together with the other righteous of the world and avenge the spilled blood of His servants.”
A resident of the city of Eilat, came to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and said, “We don’t have any special Tzaddikim (righteous people) buried in Eilat, as in so many other cities in Israel. What can I do when I need to pray at the grave of a most righteous person?”
The Rebbe answered, “Go to the military section in your local cemetery and pray at the grave of any of the fallen soldiers who are buried there. They are ALL very pure and most righteous.”
Today is Yom Ha-Atzmaut – celebrating Israel’s 74th Independence Day. We pray that G-d watch over the Holy Land and our brothers and sisters living there. Israel is G-d’s everlasting gift to the Jewish people. It has been ours for over 3000 years and will, G-d willing, be ours forever.
In honor of this special day, I quote from the following two Psalms, by King David:
Psalm 121: “I lift my eyes to the mountains – from where will my help come? My help will come from the L-rd, Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot falter; your guardian does not slumber. Indeed, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The L-rd is your guardian; the L-rd is your protective shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The L-rd will guard you from all evil; He will guard your soul. The L-rd will guard your going and your coming from now and for all time.”
Psalm 122: “I was happy when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the House of the L-rd.’ Our feet were standing within your gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem that is built like a city in which all Israel is united together… Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you have peace. May there be peace within your walls, serenity within your mansions. For the sake of my brethren and friends, I ask that there be peace within you!”
Israel is one of G-d’s greatest modern-day miracles which happened to our people. It is a constant day-to-day miracle. Let this wonderful miracle continue forever! May we merit the coming of Moshiach, and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple speedily in our days. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
AM YISRAEL CHAI – THE NATION OF ISRAEL SHAL LIVE ON AND ON AND ON…
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