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raisinSoul

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Feb 11

what is Yiras Hashem?

Shovevim 3 Jan 29, 2004 Rtm by Rav Moshe Weinberger  
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from Jan 29, 2004
by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger
part 3 of 3

Seeng that we are ending Shovavim this Shabbos, I thought that it was appropriate to post this. Rav Weinberger is going over the end of the discourse of Tzvi Meir on Shovavim. Unlike the previous talks, which focused on Shovavim specifically, here he talks about Yiras Hashem; what is the inner meaning of Yiras Hashem? How can we acquire it and strengthen ourselves in it? So this shiur is actually not "off subject"; what else is the purpose of Shovavim if not to feel a closness with our Creator? That awareness is the beginning of all purity and holiness.

Avoiding the negative associations that many of us have with the feelings of fear, Tvi Meir explains how Yiras Hashem and Ahavas Hashem are connected.  The same One who is so close to us and loves us so much, He is the One who is watching us and he sees everything. Yiras Hashem is the awarness of His Presense and this immediately leads to an overwhelming feeling of love. Knowing and living the Truth that we are never alone is the foundation of Yiras Hashem.

Tzvi Meir ends with a beautiful teaching about the mezuzah. When you are in your house, you could think that you are all by yourself; outside I am being watched by others but inside I am alone. So we have on our doorways a mezuzah to teach us that Hashem is with us even when we are by ourselves. But its strange then, why is the mezuzah rolled up?  You would think that the mezuzah should be on the wall, opened up so you can always see the words and remember Hashem's presence. But that's not the case. Rather, a mezuzah is rolled up tight because a Yid has to know, that even when a he cannot see the name of God, he has know that it's really there. That's the whole avodah, knowing HaKadosh Baruch Hu is here with me, even when I am cannot see Him.

Filed under  //  Rav Weinberger   Shovavim   Tzvi Meir  

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Jan 27

a little bit of effort goes a long way

Excerpts from the Biala Rebbe, shlita, on preparing for Shovavim
Parshas Va'Yechi, 5761

It is incumbent upon every individual in our weak generation to make an effort in avodas Hashem and a even a small attempt will be considered great.  Especially in the matters of Shovavim (we must make an effort)... and there is no longer a need for the stringent rectifications (established in earlier times); it is possible to achieve atonement in different ways and accomplish the same tikkun that earlier generations were able to with fasts and self-inflicted punishments.

In our generation it is not correct or appropriate to afflict oneself, (on the contrary) delight in Shabbos is considered like a thousand fasts.  Especially oneg Shabbos and honoring the Shabbos during the Shabbos' at the end of times and even more so the Shabbos' of Shovavim. It is obvious the the intention of oneg Shabbos is when a person sits and learns Torah and has delight from the Torah and from praying, an abundant spiritual delight, this is obviously considered in place of a thousand fasts.

Also, (learning) the oral Torah is a Tikkun for damage (done to the covenant). The way to merit the oral Torah is through striving and with great effort and this is the rectification for (this damage). The oral Torah gathers together many topics and unifies them, this is the matter of the ingathering and rectification of the holy sparks that have been dispersed.  In this time period by learning the oral Torah, learning in depth, and being involved in the reasoning of the Torah, (all of this) will rectify the covenant that has been damaged.

Another, third tikkun is (done) through love, friendship, and kind acts with fellow Jews. Through unity with other Jews in love and closeness, the opposite of separation in heart and soul, the holy sparks of Jews, that were separated by damage to the covenant, are unified.  This unity (of Jews) is its rectification and atonement.  The most important rectification, is to (bring Jews) closer (to Hashem), to behave with others politely, with decent and respectful behavior, especially during the days of Shovavim.

It arises from all of this, that this is the foundation of the tikkun of the covenant in our times: not with afflictions and not with fasts, rather, and much more important, to learn Torah in depth, keep Shabbos (properly) and to delight in Shabbos, and not to speak badly, God forbid, about any Jew. All of these rectifications of the holy covenant during Shovavim are (achievable), as the verse (Devarim 30:11) says, "This commandment that I command you today, is not hidden from you nor is it far off... it is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart , that you can do it." WIth a little bit of effort it is within the grasp of each and every one of us.

Filed under  //  Biala Rebbe   Shovavim  

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Jan 25

a segulah for Shovavim

The Chida writes that he heard from an elderly mikubal that he (the elderly mikubal) had a mesorah to be osek in Maseches Makkos.
Why? Because the gematria of "Makkos" equals 466, which equals "hirhurim".
Learning Makkos nullifies evil thoughts and provides a rectification for them.
Filed under  //  Makkos   Shovavim  

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Jan 19

be strong and courageous during Shovavim

Divrei Chizuk For Shovevim by Rav Tzvi Meir Zilberberg  
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Rav Tzvi Meir Zilverberg at Aish Kodesh in Woodmere NY

I expected R. Tzvi Meir to be speaking about Shovavim topics and ideas, something similar to the talks by Rav Weinberger already posted.
But instead Tzvi Meir focused only on chizuk, that we need to be strong and courageous like a soldier at war. 
The truth is that we are so in need of chizuk. "Think good and it will be good" is our motto but usually we end up with (at best): trying to think good and usually it is good but not always.  We are always falling on our face and having to get back up.  And really, how many of us are as humble as Reb Zusha so that our eyes see only good? The fact is that it is a daily battle to stay inspired.
I heard Rav Weinberger say that before Moshiach, Hashem sends us messengers to strengthen us.  The verse says "In order that Hashem's Torah should be in your mouth, that Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim with a strong hand".  What is the connection between the beginning of the verse and the end? Hashem is not fighting with someone that he needs to show his strength, his strength is incomparable!  The answer is that the strong hand is the messenger that comes to strengthen us so Torah will be in our mouth.  During difficult times and we are down, or even if we are not down specifically, but affected by the low state of the world around us, Hashem sends us a strengthening in a great gift.  One of those gifts is Rav Tzvi Meir.
One point Tzvi Meir gave over, which he often repeats, is the story of Rabbi Akiva, when he saw the water dripping, that had made a hole in a stone.  He asks us which drop of water made the hole, the hundredth, the thousandth, the 10 millionth?  Each and every drop of water counted and made an impact! We need to re-frame ourselves and see the significance of all our actions.
It's an awesome empowering speach, typical in its focus and resolve: Be strong and courageous!

Filed under  //  Shovavim   Tzvi Meir  

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Jan 7

all we need is love

Shovevim 2 Jan 22, 2004 Rtm by Rav Moshe Weinberger  
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from Jan 22, 2004
by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger
part 2 of 3
Rav Weinberger continues to give over a discourse of Tzvi Meir explaining that Shovavim is a "secret weapon" that was hidden until the end of time (our times) to break down the barriers between us and HaShem. The Rav details the importance of the 42 days of Shovavim and focuses on the unbelievable power of love that HaShem pours down upon us during this time.
One aspect of the 42 days that he reveals is that they are connected to the 42 cities of refuge.  I would like to point out that the gemara in Makos explains that the difference between the six cites and 42 cities, is that the six provide protection even if the seeker is unaware that he is in the city that protects, whereas the 42 provide protection only when the seeker is aware that he is in the city that protects.  That being the case, this may be true with Shovavim also, that it only "protects" when there is an awareness of its power.
Filed under  //  Rav Weinberger   Shovavim  

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Jan 5

what is Shovavim?

Shovevim 1 Jan 15, 2004 Rtm by Rav Moshe Weinberger  
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from Jan 15, 2004
by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger
part 1 of 3
Rav Weinberger gives over a discourse of Tzvi Meir on Shovavim.  This is an excellent introductory explanation of the meaning of Shovavim and its importance to the last generations.  Rav Zilverberg's approach to Shovavim is unique.  Unlike most others who focus on the aspect of Yirah, the Rav emphasizes the way of love that is revealed at this time.  He strengthens us to discover the secret passageway that Shovavim offers and through it to sense HaShem's love for us.
Filed under  //  Rav Weinberger   Shovavim  

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