1) The holy Sefarim (Rav Yonasan Eibeshitz Zatzal in Ya'aros Devash , The Shlah Hakadosh and others) tell us that the last week of the year is very unique in that it has very strong powers of Kaparah- atonement.
Each
"last" day of the year can atone for each corresponding day of the
whole year. For example: The last "Sunday" before Rosh Hashana, if
utilized properly can atone for all the "Sundays" of the entire year
past. The last "Monday", can atone for all the "Mondays" of the entire
year, and so on.
2)
It is very worthwhile to try and use this last week of the year and
infuse it with Torah, Tefilah, Teshuva, Tzedaka and as many good deeds
as possible. This sentiment is echoed by our holy sages, the Chazal, who
taught us "Hakol Holech Achar HaG'mar- everything is [judged] based on
the end[ing]"
May Hashem bless us all to realize the gift of Teshuva and to utilize it to the best of our ability.
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) In the davening of RoshHashanah [and Yom Kippur] we say many lofty piyutim (liturgies) which were composed by extremely holy individuals (Tanaim, Gaonim and even Rishonim the likes of Rashi and the Ba'alei Tosafos).
Just to get an idea of the holiness we are talking about here, the Magen Avraham (Orach Chaim Siman 68) quotes
the Ariza"l who says that when Rav Elazar HaKalir (who was either a
Tana or a Rishon depending on different opinions, and one of the
preeminent writers of our Kinus, Selichos and Piyutim) was composing a
certain piyut for the Musaf of Rosh Hashanah (that begins "V'Chayos
Asher Heina M'Rubaos Kisei etc.") a ring of [heavenly] fire encircled
his entire body. (See also Sha'arei Teshuva Siman 68:1)
Many of these piyutim are written in very complex language
(done so purposely, according to the Shu"t Sha'ar Ephraim Siman 13, so
the non-Jews wouldn't "Steal" them and use them in their prayers in
their Bais Avoda Zara), and comprised with references to many sources throughout the revealed and hidden Torah. (In
fact in Shu"t Teshuva M'Ahava Siman 1 he enumerates over 50 places
across the Talmud where the Baalei Tosafos bring proofs to their
opinions from stanzas in these piyutim! See also Rama Siman 619:1
based on Sefer Chasidim Siman 302 that even the Nusach of the tunes
used for the Piyutim in each congregation should not be tampered with.)
Therefore,
the average person will have a very hard time understanding the piyutim
and Tefilos of the Yamim Noraim unless they spend some time beforehand
studying and analyzing them, which is exactly what the Poskim say each
Jew should do a few days before Rosh Hashanah.
Today
many Machzorim make it a lot easier to do this, as they have
translations and/or explanations on the page. However, it is best to
read them before Rosh Hashana if possible, and not during the actual
davening. (See Mishna Berura Siman 100 in the name of the Ta"z)
2)
It is also important to learn the Halachos of, and [at least the basic]
meaning behind Tekias Shofar prior to Rosh Hashanah, as well as to
learn Sifrei Mussar which will cause a person's heart to "wake up" and
fear Hashem, as well as bring a person to grasp the reality of Hashem's
greatness as He is about to judge all of mankind (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 128:11)
QUESTION&ANSWER CORNER
Reader
Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we
covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
Although
the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei
HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes
only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Question:
regarding
doing Teshuva for a sin where one usually needs to ask the one that was
sinned against for forgiveness, if the aveira is Lashon Hara, it seems
difficult if not impossible to go over to the person and tell them that
you have said terrible things about them - and what if is a family
member and the relationship is irreparably harmed?
Answer:
This particular issue was the topic of a dispute between The Chofetz Chaim and Rav Yisroel Salanter Zichronam L'Vracha.
Rav Yisroel Salanter maintained that if by going over to
the person who you spoke against to ask for mechilah will cause them
further harm, it is best not to let them know, and try to do as much
Teshuva as possible, and try to spread good about that person in other
ways.
Whereas, the Chofetz Chaim ruled (Hilchos Lashon Hara Klal
4:12) that Teshuva was only complete with mechila, and even if it caused
further harm, you must approach them.
I am not telling you which method is the proper Halacha to
follow, as you should consult a Rav for that. I will just say that you
cannot go wrong from following the rulings of the Chofetz Chaim for
anything, especially Hilchos Lashon Hara!.
CHIZUK CORNER
This
section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav
Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi
Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek
HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
We
will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to
help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in
heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Does a mother get reward, if raising her child is all happiness and no distress?
ANSWER BY HARAV AVIGDOR MILLER ZATZAL:
I'll tell
you a little story. There was once a tzadik Reb Zusha. Reb Zusha was
once standing in the bais hamedrash warming himself on the stove in the
winter time. A man came in to his brother, the Rebbe Rav Elimeleh of
Lizensk, in the next room and he asked the Rebbe, "How is it possible to
serve Hashem with simcha? There's so much trouble in the world, so much
difficulty in the world, how can you serve Hashem with simcha?"
So
the Rebbe said, "Go out and ask my brother Reb Zusha." So he went out to
Reb Zusha who was standing against the stove, and his face was flaming.
He said, "Tell me, how can one serve Hashem even though there's
difficulty and tzaar in the world?" Reb Zusha was a very poor man all
his life, he hardly had anything to eat. So Reb Zusha said, "To tell you
the truth I am not competent [to answer your question], as I never had
any tzaar in my life!"
He never had any suffering in his life!
If a
mother so enjoys her task of raising the children that she overlooks the
tzaar and thinks it's only happiness, she's going to get double reward.
When a person learns Torah and he groans, it's difficult, he's breaking
his head, and looks at the clock all the time, when will the shiur be
over? He'll get reward too, but the person who looks at the clock and
says, "so soon! The shiur is over? It's a pity!" He gets more reward.
And therefore a mother who enjoys raising children certainly will get more reward.
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Important Numbers
