Chodesh Av

Ahavat Yisrael

“And I shall bless those that bless you.” (12:3)

From the very beginning Hakadosh Baruch Hu decreed: “va’avarecha mevarachecha” – I will give berachot to all those who bless Am Yisrael. The Talmud (Hullin 49A) states that this promise extends also to the descendants of Abraham Abinu. Therefore, the first thing for us to understand is how great is our duty to bless the Jewish nation.

When you come to the last beracha in the Amida, you put all you have into it as you pray for Am Yisrael you say, “Establish peace, goodness and blessing, life, grace and kindness, and compassion over us and over all of Israel Your nation.” This beracha is so important because it is a mitzvah in the Torah to bless Am Yisrael.

When you walk down a Jewish street and every house has a big mezuzah on the door, say a beracha for the people who live in those houses. Say aloud that everyone in those homes should be well for many happy years. They should all have a comfortable livelihood, pleasure and satisfaction from their children, fine matches for their children, only semahot/happy occasions in their houses, nothing but joy.

And Hashem will say: I’m listening, and I shower my blessings on you. When you gain this attribute of constantly blessing Jews you will: receive blessings from Hashem, and fulfill a mitzvah from the Torah, and emulate Hashem who “Loves His Jewish nation” (Daily Prayers), and you will cause yourself to increase your own love of your Jewish brothers, which is another mitzvah of loving your fellow Jew, Ahavat Yisrael.

May we thereby gain the merit to see the rebuilding of The Bet Hamikdash soon.

Adapted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

“And you spoke up and said: We have sinned to Hashem. We shall go up and fight, as all that Hashem commanded us.” (1:41)

“And Hashem said to me, say to them, you shall not go up.” (1:42)

Here we see a remarkable lesson. The people regretted their previous attitude and they confessed their Sin (”We have sinned”), and now they were ready to perform the duty which they had before feared to do. Why was their repentance rejected, and Hashem forbade them to go?

We are accustomed to the attitude that although we postpone we can always repent and accomplish even later whatever we should have done earlier. But here we learn that Hashem often offers certain opportunities at a certain time, and if not utilized by us, the opportunity is lost forever. Whatever we do subsequently to fulfill our duty is not the same as having done it at the proper time.

But here there was an especial reason why Hashem rejected their offer to obey, for His intention was to keep the Nation together under the direct tutelage of Moshe for 40 years in the Wilderness.

“You are passing by the border of your brothers the sons of Esav.” (2:3) Also: “Our brothers the sons of Esav.” (2:8) Also: “You shall not abhor an Edomi, for he is your brother.” (23:8)

The enormous importance of kinship is here emphasized. And not only is this emotion and attitude incumbent upon the holy nation of Israel, but even the Edomites are blamed for forgetting the bond of brotherhood: “because he pursued his brother with the sword.” Amos (1:11) If such is the obligation of brotherhood between long separated offspring of the two estranged brothers, then how many times more is the obligation of brotherhood between the sons of Israel!

In view of this lesson, the words “Your brother” as used everywhere in the Torah in reference to a fellow Isarelite, acquire a more powerful and realistic interpretation. If toward an Edomite we must feel an emotion of brotherhood, then how many thousands of brotherhood should we feel toward a fellow Israelite? And we may add, how much more powerful (than these thousands of degrees of emotion) should be the feelings toward a brother, the son of your parents.

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

“That Hashem your G-d carried you just as a man carries his son.” (1:31)

This is a most significant declaration. Israel, and Israel alone is Hashem’s son, as He had declared: “My son My firstborn is Yisrael” (Shemot 4:22) and “Send forth My son” (ibid. 4:23).

All the severe castigations and the heavy chastisements (which our enemies delight in pointing out how the Israelites failed) were the strongest demonstrations of Hashem’s love. “And you should know with your heart that just as a man chastises his son, so does Hashem your G-d chastise you.” (8:5) Although this generation was privileged to see and to be close to Hashem more than any other generation, yet the principle that Hashem bears Yisrael in His arms as His son continues to hold for all their generations.

This is an astonishing statement which we ourselves would never have dared to say. Yet Hashem declares openly for the entire world to hear that the loyal and observant Jewish nation is held in His arms as a father holds his beloved child.

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom