B"H
Thursday, Tammuz 1, 5782 / June 30, 2022
Yesterday was the first day Rosh Chodesh and today is the second day Rosh Chodesh Tammuz.
In the Torah, where the months begin with the month of Nissan, the month of Tammuz is the fourth month of the year. If we count the months from Rosh Hashana, Tammuz would be the tenth month of the year.
The story of the spies, which Moshe sent to scout the land of Israel, which we read about last week, took place mostly during the month of Tammuz. They began their journey on the last day of the month of Sivan and throughout the entire month of Tammuz and returned on the ninth of Av.
Also, the Golden Calf and the breaking of the Tablets with the Ten Commandments engraved, happened on the seventeenth day of Tammuz.
In this week’s Parsha, Korach, we read about Korach and his group who rebelled against Moshe and Aaron’s leadership roles. At one point, G-d wanted to destroy the people, but Moshe wouldn’t hear of it. In the end, Korach and some of his people, together with their families and all their wealth were swallowed alive into the ground.
There is a Yiddish saying, when describing how rich someone is, “He is rich like Korach.” Why is Korach being singled out as the richest person? The answer is that a person is rich only while they are alive. No one takes their wealth with them to the grave. But Korach’s wealth went together with him…
Moshe pleaded with G-d and tells G-d that it won’t be fair if he lets out his anger on everyone. Moshe pleads, “If one person sins why would you be angry against all?” The Torah describes how time and again Moshe stood up for his people and how his love for his nation knew no bounds.
During their forty years in the desert, Jews rebelled against Moshe time and again, which angered G-d. Yet, Moshe’s love for his people never weakened. Moshe exhibited a phenomenal amount of love toward his people in spite of all the difficulties he had from them. His loyalty to them never wavered.
At a marriage, under the Chupah (canopy) when the groom puts the ring on the bride’s finger he proclaims, “You are betrothed to me with this ring as per the laws of Moshe and Israel.”
What is the meaning of the words, “As per the laws of Moshe and Israel”?
In these few words lies the secret of a successful marriage. Moshe was leader of the Jewish people for 40 years. The people didn’t make life easy for Moshe, yet, he never abandoned them. Time and again he prayed and pleaded for them. His love for his people knew no bounds, no matter how difficult the situation. The groom is saying to his bride, “You are betrothed to me as per the laws of Moshe and Israel.” No matter what difficulties we may encounter in the future, our love for each other will not waver, just as Moshe and Israel made it work even during the most difficult times.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY