The days of Shovivim have begun. The word שובבים is an abbreviation for the six weeks of שמות וארא בא בשלח יתרו משפטים.
During this period, we can rectify the trait of Yosef, kedushas ha’bris. In fact, this period is six weeks long (on a non-leap year) and Yosef corresponds to the sixth sefira, yesod. It comes as no surprise that in Parshas Shemos, which begins Shovivim, we are told that they had six children at a time, as children are produced from the bris.
The Zohar teaches that these weeks are a time of teshuva, as it says שובו בנים שובבים, return wayward children. The term שובבים is rooted in שובה, to return. This is hinted to in the first pasuk in Parshas Shemos, בני ישראל הבאים מצרימה, as the end letters spell מילה. Furthermore, the last letters of the next words, ו ובית שאי ביעק תא המצרימ spell תשובה.
The parshiyos of these weeks speak about our stay in Mitzrayim, the notorious place of impurity which is called ערות הארץ, as well as our eventual departure from there, culminating with Matan Torah. It is in these weeks that we work on kedushas ha’bris, on leaving ערות הארץ.
The Mishna tells us that שש מעלות למקואות, there are six levels to Mikva. Another meaning is that these refer to the six weeks of שובבים, which can purify us, which is what a Mikva does.
May we all merit to take advantage of this special time and thereby herald in blessing and success. In fact, this is alluded to in the word שובבים which forms an acronym for שפע ברכה והצלחה בכל מעשה ידיהם, flow of blessing and success in all areas.
