AVODA OF THE WEEK – Hashem Controls the Firstborn
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The Ohev Yisroel1 says in his explanation of Shabbos Hagadol2 : [The Egyptians] would worship the constellation of "tleh" – the head of all the constellations, the b'chor ("firstborn") of all of them. Hashem slew all the b'chorim that were in Egypt, and that was the idea of the smiting of the firstborn…The idea of b'chor, is the first strength and starting point. It is the [level of] Chochma".
We know that in the creation of the natural world, the level of Chochma was the first point of "creation". In regard to the constellations – those realities that have become conduits for energies to enter the world – "Tleh" [literally, a young sheep] – is the fist and starting point of those conduits that comprises within it the essence of all the other constellations.
AVODA OF THE WEEK – Reconnect to the source
Connect back to the source
[For Halachos of Biyur Chametz – see HALACHA OF THE WEEK – March 25/09 ;For Halachos of Eating Matzah and Maror at the Seder – see HALACHA OF THE WEEK – April 2/09.] ————–
The Message of the Sun is the Message of the Seder
The sun's coming back to its original point of starting – exactly on the day of Erev Pesach in this unique hashgacha that Hashem has given our generation – holds for us an amazing message. In actuality the message of the sun's returning to its point of origin, is really the same message that we want to give over at the seder. At the seder, we seek to impart the tenets of all our most basic beliefs to our children. It's that special time that the Torah itself has designated to give over the story of our heritage to the next generation. And Chazal through their ordinances, have added the entire dimention that they knew would be the most conducive to planting the seed of Jewish faith into the pure hearts of Jewish children.
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AVODAH FOR THE WEEK – Parshas Re’eh
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The way to best utilize this week is hinted to in the first word of the Parsha – "Re’eh": Reish, Alef, Heh.
Reish is the letter of Chochma – wisdom1.
Alef is representative of Hakadosh Baruch Hu2.
Heh represents this world, as the Gemora in Menachos says3: "Olam Hazeh [was created] with [the letter] Heh4.
Now is the time of year to use your Chochma (Reish) to find Hashem (Alef) in the world (Heh).
Read about the wonders of creation5; learn amazing insights in Torah; contemplate on your own Hashgacha, and discover Hashem in the world.
This is certainly a great way to use these days when many people find themselves traveling to different places, and it is an amazing step to take in preparation for the upcoming days of Elul and Tishrei.
- Sefer Pardes Rimonim, Sha’ar Haosiyos, perek kaf-gimel. ↩
- Osiyos D’Rebbe Akiva, Sefer Batei Midrashos, nusach alef. ↩
- 29b. ↩
- "Darash Rabi Yehuda Bar Rabi Iloiy…’These are the manifestations of the heaven and the earth "b’heborum" (Bereishis 2 – 1) – do not read this as (only) "b’heborum", when they were created; rather (read it) as "b’Heh bra’um", with the letter Heh they (everything in the physical heaven and earth) were created." (Menachos ibid). ↩
- Sha’ar HaBechina in Sefer Chovos Halevovos may be helpful to you in this area. ↩
AVODAH OF THE WEEK – See the Sounds!
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Experiencing Kabolas HaTorah
As we approach this week’s kabolas Hatorah and we recall the words of the Ari z"l – that on each one of the Yomim Tovim there is an arousing on the day of the Yom Tov itself of the original spiritual level that was revealed at the initial time of that Yom Tov1 - we realize that only through proper preparation will we be able to merit to actually experience a little bit of what took place at Matan Torah.
In previous generations when there were many tzaddikim who were on the level of Ruach Hakodesh, the reality of the words of the Ari z"l mentioned above was accepted as a basic premise. Look in Parshas Yisro how the great Tzaddik, Rabi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov zy"a, mentions this reality just in passing as an accepted simple truth:
"And behold, if a person merits, he hears on every Chag Shavuos the Voice that proclaims "Anochi Hashem Elokecha".
May we all merit to such levels as it says in the Navi, "v’nib’ou b’neichem u’v'noseichem2", that in the future we will all merit once again to the level of Nevuah.
But even if we are not yet at that level, there is one very interesting "miracle" that we may be able to merit on this upcoming Shavuos if we prepare properly for it, something that is clearly within the realm of our avodas Hashem today.
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Bs"d by Rabbi Nachum Chaimowitz Another statement that one should just never say: 3. Never compare yourselves to any other couple. The person that Hashem has introduced and ultimately united you with, is someone who is exactly what you need in order for you to reach your highest level of completeness. Realize that [...]