Today is the ninth day of Tammuz. According to the Pesukim in Navi (Melachim II 25:3, Yirmiyah 39:2) today is the day that Nevuchadnetzar’s army, which had been besieging Yerushalayim, actually breached its walls. King Tzidkiyahu and his Anshei Chayil fled from Yerushalayim that night, and were captured escaping through a cave in the Plains of Yericho. Accordingly, today was a day of fasting during the 70 years of Churban Bayis Rishon. Because the walls of the Second Bais HaMikdash were breached on the 17th of Tammuz, we have fasted on that day since the Churban Bayis Sheni. The Talmud Yerushalmi (Ta’anis 4:5) records that it was actually on the 17th of Tammuz that the walls were breached in the first Bais HaMikdash, as well, but the people were so confused and perplexed--there was such upheaval--that the populace mistook the day for the 9th of Tammuz, and accordingly the Pesukim reflected it that way for posterity, as well. Undoubtedly, if the people believed it was the 9th, and if the Pesukim in fact specifically refer to the 9th, the force and influence of the 17th must rest in and with the 9th, as well.

We posit that a day which has destruction inherent within it also has the concomitant power of building and healing contained within it. The greatest example is the "Moed" of Tisha B’Av itself--which in the time of the Meraglim could have been--and ultimately and soon will be--a time of great celebration. Even though we will not be fasting today, we can certainly find it within ourselves to pray for the building of the Bais HaMikdash, and act in a manner which demonstrates that we truly desire its rebuilding. In this regard, we provide the following thought:

Chazal teach that "Pischu Li Pesach..."--open for me an opening the size of the point of a needle, and I will open for you an opening which is the size of the Ulam’s opening in the Bais HaMikdash (the Ulam’s opening was 40 Amos, or at least 60 feet, tall and 20 Amos, or at least 30 feet, wide). The Kotzker Rebbe comments as follows: Hashem asks of a man to open his heart to the extent of a needle’s point. However, small as this may be, it must still be a needle’s point--needle-sharp--piercing through the material in its entirety. Whatever Teshuva we do must pierce through the very insides of our being--it must penetrate through and through. Hashem, in turn, will help us, so that our Teshuva will become more profound--to the point of an Ulam! We add simply that the opening of the Ulam is not only the largest opening that we can think of--but it is also the largest opening of the Bais HaMikdosh. Through sincere Teshuva--we will see the opening of the Ulam in the Bais HaMikdosh itself! (The source for the Kotzker Rebbe’s teaching is the Sefer VSheeNonTom, by Rabbi Elias Schwartz, Shlita).

Special Note Two: Another major manner for us to bolster our worthiness is through specific improvement in areas of Chesed--our Bain Odom LeChaverio. The Sefer Pele Yoetz provides some meaningful and wonderful pointers on Chesed for us to learn:

a. A person can perform acts of Chesed with a minimum of effort--providing change of a dollar or other bill to someone, passing something to someone who cannot reach it, opening the door for someone knocking… None of these opportunities should be negated or missed. In fact, the Pele Yoetz writes that he wonders at people who spend much money for Pesicha in Shul, or to be Sandek at a Bris, which are not Mitzvos in and of themselves per se, while Mitzvos D’Oraisa, which cost no money, such as Gemilas Chesed, Kibud Av V’Aim, or standing up or showing the proper respect for an elderly person or scholar, are not as properly regarded.

b. One should purchase objects to lend to others, and one should lend the objects that he owns to help another, provided the borrower is responsible, and you keep a written record--so you get it back (and can lend it again!).

c. One should consider how he would feel, and what he would need, if he was in the other’s position, and act accordingly. This is V’Ahavta LeReyacha Komocha at its finest!

d. The "Ikar," **the main** Gemilus Chesed that one can do for another is with his neshama--his main component, as well. One should help him with guidance, instruction and teaching, by sharing, for example, halachos and hashkafos which it is clear that the other person does not know or understand. One can likewise daven for the person, even after they pass on, that he reach his proper resting place in Gan Eden. By helping the surviving children spiritually, you may be simultaneously saving the deceased from Din, as well. Could one perceive a greater Chesed?

e. There is even a greater obligation to do Chesed with one’s parents, spouse and family--the closer the relative, the greater the obligation.

f. Chesed is multiplied by the number of its recipients--when one does Chesed to the Rabbim--to those in Shul, to those on his block or in his building, etc., the one act of Chesed multiplies many times over.

We should especially begin on this propitious day to begin with the point of a needle of Teshuva, and to pensively consider how we can actually and readily augment and enhance our Gemilas Chesed. May our Teshuva’s point--and our Chesed--allow us to see the Ulam speedily, in our day, this year!

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Hakhel MIS