- Q. Honorable Rabbi. In our new shul we have a number of different groups that have joined together and have different traditions and customs. Many disagree as to what to do during the Shovavim period. Firstly what is really Shovavim?
A. On a similar question (5289) we wrote:
– Q. Dear Rov Shlit’a: I overheard in our shul that we are now at the very special time of the year known as Shovavim. What exactly is the time period of Shovavim? And what does it mean? Why is it so special?A.
Shovavim is the word that represents the first letters of the Parshios of Shemos, Va’eira, Bo. Beshalach, Yisro, Mishpaoim. These are the first six sedras (weekly reading chapters) of the Shemos Sefer (or the book of Exodus), which are read in the end of the winter months.
“Shovavim” is a word also found twice in sefer Yermiyahu (the book of Jeremiah) chapter 3 – in verses 14 and 22, as part of the pasuk “shuvu banim shovavim,”. Or “return, lapsing or troublemaking sons,” Accordingly, the Shovavim period is one of intensified teshuvah (repentance) and tikkun (purification) for personal defects and sins especially those of a sexual nature. Sefarim write that this can range from such matters as unclean thoughts to laxity in the laws of family purity.
Why is Shovavim particular to this time and period? Some maintain that is related to the theme of the Torah portions read over the course of these weeks. We read about how the Jews were exiled in Egypt, where they became entrenched in extreme immorality and sank to the lowest depths of impurity.
Nevertheless, they were able to be redeemed and ended up traveling to Sinai, where they succeeded in receiving the Holy Torah. Also as this particular time precedes the great happiness of Purim and Pesach, it carries an essential and inspiring message of bouncing back from deep impurity to the greatest spiritual heights of the YamimTovim that prepare us to Kabalath Hatorah.
Another explanation is because Shovavim falls after the winter solstice, which is when the days start to get longer. This relates to a story recounted in Avodah Zara 8a: after Adam sinned, he observed that the days were getting shorter and feared that his disobedience to God had brought about the end of the world.
Once the winter solstice passed, he saw the days getting longer again and was relieved. (Such is the natural order of the world, but it is also symbolic of his repentance being accepted.) Accordingly, the period of increasing daylight is seen as an auspicious time.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
