b"h

Tuesday, Elul 3, 5776 / September 6, 2016 - Hakhel year

We are now in the month of Elul, the last month of the year, 5776.

Rosh Hashana will be in four weeks - beginning Sunday night, October 2, through Monday (October 3) and Tuesday (October 4).

The Shofar is blown after the morning services during the month of Elul. The sounding of the Shofar in Elul is a wake up and reminder to repent for our misdeeds of the past year and improve our ways in the new year.

The name of this month, Elul, as all names of the Hebrew months, have their roots in the Babylonian language. Yet, our sages found the four letters which make up the word, Elul, hinted in the Torah.

Elulis an acronym for the four words in Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li" - "I am to my friend and my friend is to me." 

This refers to our special relationship and connection with G-d during the month of Elul. This special relationship is accomplished through Repentance (Teshuvah), prayer (Tefila) and Charity (Tzedakah).  Our sages tell us that these three mitzvot nullify an evil decree and secure a new year of blessing.

The mitzvah of repentance (Teshuvah) applies each day of the year. Yet, it has special significance during the forty days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur.

These 40 days correspond to the 40 days that Moshe was on top of Mount Sinai, where he prayed and received G-d's forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf. 

Rabbi Avraham of Slonim once gave a sermon about the significance of the month of Elul and the importance of Teshuvah-repentance. 

Someone said, "Rabbi, what good is repenting, which I try to do, yet, I don't feel any spiritual uplifting.  In fact, from time to time I fall back into my bad habits.  What purpose is there in my repenting?"

Rabbi Avraham replied, "When a person realizes that they are sinking in deep mud and must get out, they have to take big steps and try to get to safe ground. Although, each time the person puts his foot back down, he again steps into the mud, yet, if he stops he will sink completely. But, if he continues, even though he is still in the mud, every move will bring him closer to getting out."

"The same is with repenting. When you try  to emerge from the spiritual mud, you may not see any improvement at first. But as long as you keep on trying and making an effort to emerge, you will eventually succeed. The worst thing is to give up and stop, for then you will surely sink in the mud!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Menachem Av 28, 5776 / September 1, 2016 - Hakhel year

This week’s Parsha, Re’ay begins with the words, “Re’ay” – “See I set before you this daya blessing and a curse. The blessing, if you will listen to the commandments of G-d your G-d, which I command you this day...” The name of the Parsha is the first word of the Parsha, Re’ay – See.

Our sages ask, “Why does the Torah use the expression “see”to impress upon us that the observance of G-d’s commandments and the performance of good deeds bring about blessings?  

Also, why is the word “Re’ay” (“see”) written in the singular, when Moshe is addressing the entire Jewish nation?

The great Torah commentator, Iben Ezra, explains that Moshe wants to emphasize the importance and effect which each individual has not only upon oneself, but upon the entire nation.  

Moshe begins by addressing the individual!  Observe G-d's commandments even though you are only one person, for every individual brings blessings to the entire nation and indeed the entire world!"

How can one’s actions have such a great impact?  Maimonides gives the following guideline. “A person must at all times feel that the entire universe, is precisely balanced on a scale. One side of the scale holds the good deeds (mitzvot) while the other side contains the negative actions. Since the scale is exactly balanced, each action will tip the scale in one direction or the other. This way, we can see how important every act of every individual is to our welfare and that of the entire world.   

As mentioned, the name of the Parsha, "Re'ay," means “see.” The Torah implies that the conviction that mitzvot bring blessings should be so strong as if we see it.  

Our sages explain this with the following parable:  A poor man bought a lottery ticket and won a huge sum of money. When he realized that he won, he ran home and told his family. Their excitement and rejoicing was heard a distance away.  People came to inquire about the celebration and the poor man told them of his good fortune. "Now I am the wealthiest person in town!" he said.

"But you haven't collected the money yet! You have to travel to the big city to get it. In the meantime, you are still poor. You don’t have a penny more than you had yesterday. Why are you joyous now?"

"You speak like fools," responded the poor man. "True, I do not have the money yet, but the very fact that I won the lottery and the money is waiting for me, makes me feel as if I already have it in my pocket!"

The same is true with mitzvot. The Torah tells us that the fact that mitzvot bring about G-d’s blessings must be affixed in our minds so strong as if we actually see them. 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Menachem Av 26, 5776 / August 30, 2016 - Hakhel year

In Parshat Re'ay, which we read this Shabbat, Moshe, in the final week’s of his life, tells the Jewish nation to adhere to the mitzvot, "And you shall observe all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you this day." The Parsha emphasizes the importance of the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) - helping the poor and needy.

One can be charitable by contributing money or time. Our sages teach us that if one lacks financial means, he or she can still help by volunteering to collect funds and be involved in charitable causes.  The Talmud states that in many ways, "The one who influences others to give is even greater than the one who gives."

According to the sages, one should not wait until the person is in dire need and lost all self respect and dignity.  We should help them while they are still on their own two feet. 

A horse and donkey were carrying a load for their master. The donkey's load was extremely heavy and exhausting while the horse's load was light. Said the donkey to the horse, "Please help me with my load as I feel that I cannot carry too much longer. If you don't help, I will soon fall under my heavy burden." But the horse refused. A little while later the donkey fell to the ground and died. The owner now transferred the donkey's entire load onto the horse!

The same, say our sages, is when one needs help. If we refuse to help and the other person falls, then G-d transfers their load over to the one who refused to help.

The Roman general, Turnisrufus the wicked, once asked Rabbi Akiva, "If your G-d loves poor people, as you claim, why doesn't he feed them Himself?  Why does he leave their care in the hands of others?"

Rabbi Akiva replied, "Because G-d wants to give us the opportunity to perform the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) which will save us from punishment in the World-to-Come."

"Just the opposite! Helping the poor will bring you punishment in the World-to Come," exclaimed Turnisrufus. "I will explain this with the following parable. When the king is angry at his servants, he throws them in jail. Surely anyone who feeds and clothes them will be punished by the king. The same with people who have been punished by G-d to be poor. One who shows them kindness will be punished, not rewarded."

"Your analogy is wrong," replied Rabbi Akiva. "I will give you a different example. The King's son sinned against his father. In punishment, the father threw him in jail. Then a person had pity and fed the king's son. Do you think that the king will be angry?  In fact, the king is happy that someone pitied his son. “

“The same is with helping the poor,” said Rabbi Akiva. “When we help them, we are helping G-d's children and this invokes G-d's love and mercy upon us.”

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY