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How to Interpret the Hashgochoh
Note: Because the link for this article was not correct last week, we are putting it in again this week with the correct link.
After HaRav Nissim Karelitz suffered a heart attack, those close to him used to give him a copy of the Musaf Shabbos edition of Yated Ne'eman to provide him with easy Torah writings that required less mental effort.
In the edition of Parshas Poroh of 5757, he read an article about HaRav Meir Posner, the author of Beis Meir, as follows:
It is brought in the sefer Tel Talpiot that our fathers told us about his (HaRav Posner's) holiness and piety, including the fact that he was very magnanimous in charity to such a degree that he was only left with enough to sustain himself.
There was another story which his fathers were wont to relate. He once involved himself in marrying off the daughter of a distant relative but had no money to give. He decided to go to a wealthy Jew of the community to raise money for the kallah.
The rich man said he was willing to give the entire sum needed, three hundred reichs-thaller, on the condition that when he passed away, HaRav Meir would guarantee, in writing, to study a perek Mishnayos every day for his soul.
My grandfather was so determined to help the kallah that he agreed. They shook hands, wrote up the agreement and the transaction took place. The rich man lived a long life and at one point, moved away. The entire matter was forgotten.
"We find ourselves at the present at the beginning of a period of forty days," are the opening words of HaRav Nosson Zochovsky shlita.
These forty days, from Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Yom Kippur. are divided into two sections: thirty up until Rosh Hashonoh and ten inclusive are the Aseres Yemei Teshuva. The reason behind the division is because Elul is the time for reflection upon the past year and introspection on how to improve our conduct in the coming year. During the two days of the new year, we are expected to shoulder new resolutions to be adopted and implemented in the upcoming year.
In addition, we must bear in mind that in all Jewish communities, Torah students return to their yeshivos and various places of study. I once heard HaRav Zelivansky say that the day when students resume their study in the tents of Torah is a most favorable time. It offers the opportunity for one to ask for success in study and for spiritual advancement.
When the aron kodesh containing the Sifrei Torah is opened, we recite the prayer of Brich Shmei - Blessed is the Name... The Zohar in Parshas Vayakhel notes that when the ark is opened to remove a Sefer Torah to be read for the congregation, the Gates of Lovingkindness are opened in Heaven and a deep love is generated Above, which a person is obligated to seize the opportunity of learning Torah and latching on to the great love of Hashem for His people.
Part II
In the first part, we saw the beginning of the war as Germany suddenly attacked Poland, and swiftly overran it. As the Nazi war machine gained control over more and more of Europe, the Americans hoped that they could sit out the fighting.
President Roosevelt began to sell war material to Britain and gradually began more and more openly to take the side of America's traditional allies in Europe. Little by little, the U.S. administration drew closer to its friends in Europe. However, there was an unmistakable reluctance on the part of the U.S. to be drawn into the conflict, even after it was clearly evident that Hitler was clearly in the wrong.
Slowly, America began to take a side in the conflict. There were incidents and provocations in the North Atlantic, but the final declaration of war came after crucial events in the Pacific.
The front page headlines in one of the leading weekend editions quoted the words of the head of the Security Service aimed at Netanyahu: "...And I am sending you a warning today about war." Thus, simple and unequivocal. The Shabak issued the warning and Netanyahu ignored it. Here, as they say, is the smoking gun, proving that Netanyahu was forewarned and knew about an imminent war but did nothing to prevent it. Then, a smaller subtitle stated: "The severe warning which Netanyahu received on July 23rd - 76 days before the war." Or in simpler terms: The Shabak served its warning two-and-a-half months before the war.
What was Netanyahu expected to do with this warning? To preempt the war with an attack? To invade Gaza, demolish it, destroy the tunnels and murder Sinwar? This is probably what is expected from a Head of State.
But can anyone in the country presume to imagine what would have been the reaction had Netanyahu gone ahead and done that? ...
Thoughts for Elul...
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Opinion & Comment
Reality: First Marriage, Then Simchah
Marriage is a process, not an event. People who are caring, giving and understanding will live, grow and build together. Spouses who work together to build a Torah home, will enable the Tzelem Elokim within them to flourish. Simchah and shalom will fill their lives.
The achievement of such grand and lofty goals as these takes time and effort. It is a mistake to believe it all happens right after the wedding. Shalom bayis requires patience, determination and also training. Therefore, it is important to enter marriage with an honest determination to seek ways of achieving and maintaining shalom bayis.
Training must take place long before marriage. Patient understanding of the spouse is essential for every Torah home. Marriage requires that we care for our spouse even more than we care for ourselves. Shalom bayis requires us to abandon our selfish attitudes and concerns.
Shalom is a vague term. We generally think of peace as being the lack of conflict between people. Shalom bayis is obviously much more than the lack of conflict between husband and wife.
If we realize this and train for this, we will accept the fact that the true joy we will have in our marriages depends on our patient understanding of our spouse. This takes time and effort. Therefore, when we get married we should realize that the wedding day is not the ultimate joy of marriage. How do we know this?
The posuk in Shir HaShirim (3:11) refers to HaKodosh Boruch Hu's "wedding day." The same posuk also speaks about the day HaKodosh Boruch Hu had a "gladness of heart." The gemora (Taanis 26b) elaborates and explains that Hashem's "wedding" took place on the day when He gave His Torah to Klal Yisroel. This gemora teaches us a very basic lesson about the correct attitude towards marriage.
Opinion & Comment
Part I
On the first day of Rosh Hashonoh we read the parsha of VaHashem pokad es Soroh (Bereishis 21:1) which relates the events surrounding the birth of Yitzchok and the expulsion of Hogor and Yishmoel from Avrohom's house. On the second day we read the parshas Ho'akeidoh (22:1).
The Ran, based on a gemora in Megilla (31a), writes that we read the parshas Ho'akeidoh on the second day, "in order to mention the Akeidoh of Yitzchok and of the ayil, since because of that event we blow with the shofar of a ram."
We read VaHashem pokad on the first day because Soroh conceived on Rosh Hashonoh. On the other hand, akeidas Yitzchok is fundamental to Rosh Hashonoh. The zichron teru'oh as teki'as shofar is called, refers to the bris of Avrohom Ovinu at the akeidas Yitzchok, and it is not clear why this parsha was pushed off to the second day. Although both days of Rosh Hashonoh are like one yomo arichto, the fact is that the second day is only miderabonon. My son, Rav Avrohom Yeshayohu, pointed this out to me. It could be that since Soroh conceived on Rosh Hashonoh it is considered an event that occurred on Rosh Hashonoh itself, and it was therefore held preferable to read that parsha on the first day.
"And Avrohom said to Sorai, `Here, your maidservant is in your hand; do to her that which is good in your eyes.' And Sorai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her" (Bereishis 16:6). The Ramban says that Soroh Imeinu was punished for this, as well as Avrohom for letting her do it, in that Hogor was given a son who was pere odom, and who will oppress the descendants of Avrohom and Soroh.
How does this fit in with the medrash quoted by Rashi that Soroh was free of sin when she died like a twenty year old? The Ramban also brings this droshoh of Chazal. The question is an even greater one according to Rashi who adds that all her years were equally good.
Chazal (Bereishis Rabboh 39:14 and quoted by Rashi) say on the posuk (Bereishis 12:5), "And the souls that they had made in Choron," that Avrohom had converted the men and Soroh the ladies - the posuk credits them with having "made" them. It says, "And Sorai the wife of Avrohom took Hogor the Egyptian" (16:3) - she "took" her with words of encouragement: "Fortunate are you to unite with such a holy body."
Sorai, who was a prophetess, understood that by giving Avrohom Hogor as a wife and bringing up Hogor's child, she would herself fulfill her mission, and would later be able to give birth to a holy son who would be a forefather of the Jewish nation. About this HaKodosh Boruch Hu said, "For I have known him to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Hashem to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Hashem may bring [through] Avrohom that which He has spoken of him." (18:19).
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