In honor of Purim Katan, we remind everyone to spend some additional time in
“Mishte V’Simcha”--in rejoicing--today. The Rema, as well as the Mishne
Berurah to Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 697, writes that one should at least
increase one’s Seuda--at least a little bit--in recognition of the day. If
you are thinking of having a meat sandwich for lunch, or perhaps a small
amount of wine, you can now transform it into a “L’Shem Mitzvah!
HaRav
Avigdor Miller, Z’tl, often pointed out that we could have been fueled by
consuming gasoline just like cars. Instead, Hashem in His great Chesed gave
us the opportunity to look at, smell and taste thousands upon thousands of
edible wonders of His creation. Perhaps today is a day to especially reflect
upon this.
The Rema cited in the previous Note who
rules that one should increase his Seuda on Purim Katan, then immediately
concludes his commentary to Shulchan Aruch with the words “Tov Lev Mishte
Somid--the good of heart is always joyous (Mishlei 15:15).
It is
important to note that this Pasuk in Mishlei opens with the words “Kol Yimei
Oni Ra’im--all the days of a poor man are bad.” Thus, Shlomo HaMelech, the
wisest of all men, teaches us that the true contrast in life is not between
a “poor man” and a “rich man”, or a “good-hearted” and
“bad-hearted” individual. Rather, the true contrast is between the poor [of
heart]--and the good of heart.
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Shlita, at a
Hakhel Shiur, explained that a “poor” person’s days are bad because he
spends his day being poor of heart--looking at what is wrong, what has
gotten messed up, what needs improvement--taking up his time with
feelings of anger, negativity, disappointment and dejection,rather than
looking at accomplishments, successes, appreciation, and anything and
everything that has, in fact, gone right. In this regard, Rabbi Pliskin suggests that a person try to control his negative tendencies, and move them
in a positive direction. One can remind himself to think positively and properly throughout the day, by finding reminder signals in his daily life.
For instance, when he hears a cell phone (which is not his) going off during
a meeting, rather than getting annoyed (especially if the person answers the
call while talking to him), one can instead appreciate that he heard the
sound, the accomplishments of modern technology, etc.
In fact, HaRav
Chaim Shmuelevitz, Z’tl, teaches that Aharon HaKohen wore the Choshen--the
breastplate--upon his heart not only as a reward for “his heart being
happy” when Moshe Rabbeinu took over his leadership position in Mitzraim
(Shemos 4:15), but also to serve as a constant reminder to him to be glad of
heart. Each one of us could, and should, make similar reminders for
ourselves in our daily life. With this, we will be fulfilling the concluding
words of the Rema to Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, which teaches how we are,
in point and fact, to conduct each and every one of our precious
days!
-------------------------- Reprinted with permission from Hakhel MIS
Important Numbers
