R’ Yeruchem Levovitz expounds on the first pasuk in the Torah, “ Bereishis bara elokim.” He states that as soon as one learns this pasuk he is made aware of the existence of a Creator and a King of the universe. This knowledge is life-transforming, for it makes possible the realization that all that takes place in the world is replete with meaning and purpose, and nothing is insignificant.R’ Yeruchem Levovitz expounds on the first pasuk in the Torah, “ Bereishis bara elokim.” He states that as soon as one learns this pasuk he is made aware of the existence of a Creator and a King of the universe. This knowledge is life-transforming, for it makes possible the realization that all that takes place in the world is replete with meaning and purpose, and nothing is insignificant.
Maran HaRav Avigdor Miller ztl. often said that one can gain a true appreciation for the providence of Hashem by observing nature. A rose, for example, is formed with perfect symmetry, and its basic chemistry prevents it from producing any unpleasant odor. Yet its stem is covered with prickly thorns which grow irregularly along its length, at random. If the flower of the rose is so visually perfect, why is the stem not as flawless?
HaRav Miller explains that the rose was created this way for a precise reason. Many insects crawl up from the ground and feed on the growing blossoms, often destroying them in the process. Hashem wanted to protect the rose in bloom, so He placed the thorns in a haphazard way, with no pattern or symmetry, which prevents the insects from finding a direct path up to the flower.
HaRav Miller explained the beauty of an apple in a comparable manner. The apple seeds are hard, with a very plain-looking covering which discourages their consumption. They are therefore thrown on the ground and discarded, allowing the seed to continue thrive again and produce many more fruits. As the apples begin to grow, they are green, camouflaged and hidden from the human eye amid the leafy growth of the tree and are hardly visible, ensuring that they remain on the tree until they are fully developed and ready to eat. When the fruit is ready to be picked and eaten, the apples begin to ripen and turn beautiful shades of bright red and yellow.
R’ Yisroel Salanter, the founder of the mussar movement, strongly emphasized that a person’s emunah should be based on the steadfast belief that everything is from Shamayim. Even when a person is struck with illness, there are often many ruchniyus’dik reasons for its occurrence.
R’ Yisroel was once very ill, and his family sent him to Germany to seek the advice of some top physicians. The family also hired an attendant to accompany R’ Yisroel so that his needs could be tended to on the long journey. On the road, the aide himself got sick, and he became the patient. R’ Yisroel took on the task of caring for the man, feeding him, giving him to drink and nursing him back to health.
The attendant who was a great yerei shamayim felt terrible that the gaon and tzaddik, R’ Yisroel, had to wait on him, in addition to his own failure to carry out the task for which he had been hired.
R’ Yisroel explained, “The ways of Hashem are hidden from us. Who knows whether the restoration of my health will be an outcome of my helping you?” Based on his faith in hashgacha pratis, he argued that it was very possible that initial decree from shamayim was that the attendant should become ill. However, since he had no family who would be concerned about him, R’ Yisroel became ill. Since he did have family who was anxious about his well-being, they hired the attendant. In this way, when the attendant was unwell, R’ Yisroel was there to care for him. “Subsequently, it may be,” concluded R’ Yisroel, “that I too will be cured.”
21 comments:
fascinating story
thank you for the insightful commentary
The difference between an animal and a human being is the ability to speak. How we use that ability, to speak Lashon Hara or to be careful with Shemiras Halashon, is entirely up to us.
We learn in the Iggeres HaRamban that "anger is a most serious character flaw and causes a person to sin".
When someone is consumed in their rage and and constantly loses their temper, nothing can restrain them. They are easily pulled toward Tum'ah and their Yetzer will take over. Anger severs the relationship with HKBH, and wont stop to think before committing a sin. The Talmud (shabbos 105b) tells us that "the man who loses himself to anger is considered to have worshipped idols!"
It says in the Iggeres HaRamban, "U'VaZeh Tinatzel Min Ha Ca'aas." "Gentle speech will protect you from anger."
One way to maintain self-control, the Reishis Chochmah advises, is to avoid LOOKING the eyes of the person when you are intensely angered.
Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser said that the world is continuing in its existance because of all the Torah learning that's going on. If the WHOLE WORLD stopped learning Torah for ONE MINUTE, in that split second the whole world would cease to exist. This is becase we are told in Bereishis that the world was created bishvil Reishis- Torah and Bnei Yisroel.
How overwhelming one might find teshuva to be. All the details, fear, regret etc, but we forget that Hash-m gave us this power to do Teshuva on ANYTHING as a gift!! Really we can be forgiven for anything and everything!
we begin Saying Ledovid Hash-m from Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Tefilla can be be found in any Tehillim perek 27 or at the end of Aleinu L'shabe'ach (Shachris or mincha or Maariv).
Rosh chodesh elul is Sunday aug 31 and Monday sept 1st
the high Holodays- Rosh Hashana Begins on:
MOND -SEPT 29th at Sunset and continues on tues- SEPT 30 and wednesday- OCT 1ST
and Yom Kippur begins on wed. OCT 8at sunset.
Teshuva confessio is never between two people. We daven to Hash-m and ask to be forgiven for our sins.
The Zohar HoKodosh states that a person who does Teshuva for one hour, one day or even one minute, is privillaged to a closeness to Hash-m that Tzadikim can't ever reach.
the third foundation of doing Teshuva is Azivas Hachet- One must forsake the sin and promise to not repeat it in the future.
The Prophet Yishayahu says (6:10)- "they turn back in Teshuva and they will be healed."
R' Avigdor Miller, ztl, explains this to mean that the primary result of Teshuva, is healing from guilt. an aveiro is a illness of the Neshama and when we cry out to Hash-m and aske to be forgiven, we are healing our neshama. Fortunate is one who achieves healing in Olam Hazeh precluding the need for atonement in olam Haba.
the Beis Elokim's opinion is that if one does proper Teshuva, but in the future succumbs to his Yetzer Hora, his Teshuva is still Valid. It doesn't take away from the sincerity he had when he was asking Hash-m for forgiveness. Now he must make stronger gedarim and daven that he have more strgnth and continue to grow. one shouldn't give up and despair thinking he will fail in the future anyway.
Every step, tefilla or act of Teshuva is considered tremendous in the eyes of Hashe-m Yisborach; for now, Elul, He awaits for EVERYONE'S tefillos and Teshuvos!
the Beis Elokim's opinion is that if one does proper Teshuva, but in the future succumbs to his Yetzer Hora, his Teshuva is still Valid. It doesn't take away from the sincerity he had when he was asking Hash-m for forgiveness. Now he must make stronger gedarim and daven that he have more strgnth and continue to grow. one shouldn't give up and despair thinking he will fail in the future anyway.
Every step, tefilla or act of Teshuva is considered tremendous in the eyes of Hashe-m Yisborach; for now, Elul, He awaits for EVERYONE'S tefillos and Teshuvos!
when it comes to do Teshuva, one should never look back and think of all the misdeeds he has commited. he shouldnt be discouraged and say they've done too much, their list is too long. Rather, they should remember that Hash-m Yisborach awaits for one THOUGHT of teshuva, a bit of guilt, or some regret. In bereishis (19:17)- do not look behind you!" when it comes to Teshuva, always look at the future, think of the path you are choosing now and not the one you were on.
the fifth foundation of Teshuva is Yagon V'tza'ar B'Maasa"- one should PHYSICALLY do Teshuva through tears and fasting on the fast days(only).
"whatever the child says out on the street, he picked up from either his mother or father."- Sukka 56b
Dovid Hamelech said, "Hash-m, You know- that even when I was living with complete peace of mind, I didnot forget You." -Tehillim, 139:2
As far as saying Selichos at night there are various Minhagim and everyone should act accordingly. Many POskim say it should be said during the day.
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