PARSHAS VAYEILECH – SHABBOS SHUVOH 5786
Vol. 16 No. 51
And Moshe went and he spoke these words to all of Klall Yisroel. 31:1
The Even Ezra expounds, Moshe Rabbeinu went to each and every Shevet (tribe) to tell them that he is departing. They should not be afraid. He strengthened their hearts to the words of his successor Yehoshua (Joshua).
When Reb Yisroel Salanter ZY”A, was about to be Nifter (pass away) it is said he was in the company of his Gabbai. He explained to his gabbai that a dead person (R”L) is not a scary thing and he should not fear. From this story we see how Great Tzadikim, even in their most elevated moments, would consider the needs and emotions of their followers and all of Klall Yisroel.
כל הגדול מחבירו יצרו גדול הימנו: סוכה נ"ב.
He who is greater than his fellow, his [evil] inclination is greater.
The Baalei Mussar ZY”A proclaim that this is also in “Time”. The greater a time is, the greater the Yetzer Horoh [evil inclination] works to Chas Vesholom lesson a person’s Avodas Hashem.
Let us use this occasion with strength and happiness that we are the children of Hashem.
Reb Zalmen Brizel ZY”A would say in the name of Karliner Tzadikim ZY”A. “Kol Hagodol – he who is great [in Avodas Hashem] – Meichaveiro, it is from his friend, Yitzro godol – he who has a great yetzer horoh, Heimenu – it is because he sits alone [without chaveirim (good spiritual friends)]”.
Rashi on Moshe’s Departure
Moshe went and spoke these words to all of Yisroel. (31:1)
In Rashi it is quoted the words “Vayeilech Moshe” without a commentary. And this is surprising, as it is not the manner of Rashi to write words when there is not an explanation following it. It seems that this is the actual description. Each and every Yid felt that Moshe is going from them and there will not be one like him, even though he is steadily advocating for Klall Yisroel, but he is not present with Klall Yisroel. In contrast to Yehoshua, who was as the Levonoh (moon) to Moshe who was the Chamoh (sun), even when he was Nifter, Pinchos and the Zikeinim (Elders) remained, and it was not as sorely felt the loss. Even though as long as Yehoshua lived, Klall Yisroel kept the Torah with adherence as so when Moshe was living, as Rashi explains (31:29, As long as Yehoshua was alive it was as if Moshe was alive, and they did not sin). This they should have felt but did not and were punished accordingly. So too it must be felt with the Petiroh (passing) of every great person, and if it is not felt, it is a great deficiency.
Sefer Kol Rom - Rav Moshe Feinstein ZY”A
The Power of Sincere Prayer
It was revealed Min HaShomayim (from Heaven) to the Heilige Ba’al Shem Tov ZY”A, that there was a Gezeiroh (decree) R”L on Klall Yisroel in the forthcoming year. The Ba’al Shem Tov strived himself and his Talmidim to do all within their power of Tefilloh (prayer) to be Mivatel (annul) the Gezeiroh. Yom Kippur had arrived and the Gezeiroh was not yet withdrawn. On Yom Kippur, a child who did not know how to read Loshon HaKodesh came to Shul and in his great simplicity started to sing the letters of Aleph Beis. After Yom Kippur the Ba’al Shem Tov revealed, that it was in the Zechus (merit) of this child that the decree was cancelled. The sincereness of this boy’s Tefillos accomplished the annulling of the Gezeiroh.
In a relative note, in the Sefer Divrei Emunoh, it is mentioned a story which took place in Teveria in the times of the Talmidei Ba’al Shem Tov ZY”A, who settled in Eretz Yisroel. In Teveria there was a Shul from the time of Yehoshua Ben Nun, which was rebuilt at that time. The rededication was to take place the night of Yom Kippur and to the greatness of the event it would be attended only by great Tzadikim, Talmidei Chachomim and leaders of the community. On the night of Yom Kippur as the Chanukas Habayis was taking place, a simple Yid from Kazakhstan approached the Beis Keneses, as he too wanted to partake in the Mamad (ceremony). The watchmen at the door did not let him in, but that did not stop him from doing his. He started running back and forth in the courtyard reciting the Aleph Beis to his tune as was his ability. Rav Avrohom of Kalisk ZY”A, who was in the Shul, suddenly realized a great “Ohr – Spiritual light”, which was coming from the courtyard, from the actions of the simple Yid through his sincere actions. As this week is Shabbos Shuvoh, we must see to it, to do Teshuvoh, that our Shabbos is kept to its entirety. As the Mishnoh Beruroh quotes in the Hakdomoh (introduction) to Chelek Gimmel (Vol. 3), “One who does not learn the laws of Shabbos cannot observe it properly”. This Shabbos is a true beginning!
Customs of Rosh Hashonoh and the Days of Awe
The Rema in Hilchos Rosh Hashonoh in Shulchon Oruch Simin 583:2, Says; that some are careful not to eat Egozim (nuts) since אגוז [Egoz] is the same numerical value as Cheit חטא - sin. The Kotzker ZY”A, added to this that Cheit is also the numerical value of Cheit, and therefore one must be extra careful not to sin during these elevated and cherished days. There are also various Minhogim (customs) concerning not eating sour or bitter food during these great days. [Some communities only refrain on Rosh Hashonoh, and some refrain from various sour foods until after Shmini Atzeres]. This all must reflect on every person not to be a sour or bitter person but to be נעים למקום ונעים לבריאות [ideal to Hashem, and ideal to people]. We should be suitable to Hashem and suitable to his people, especially during the ימי הרחמים והסליחות - Days of mercifulness and forgiveness.
Shabbos Shuvoh and Teshuvah
Return, Israel, unto Hashem your G-D, for you have stumbled because of your sin. [Hoshea 14:2]
This Shabbos is called Shabbos Shuvoh, as such starts the Haftoroh. It is also called Shabbos Teshuva [Repentance], as it is the Shabbos of Aseres Yimei Teshuvoh [Ten Days of Repentance]. It is noteworthy that this Possuk is not only read in this weeks Haftoroh, it is also read in the Haftoroh of Parshas Vayeitzei, and in Sephardic communities also on Tisha B’Av at Minchoh – May it become a Yom Tov speedily.
On Parshas Vayeitzei, at the Oifruf, of Rav Yankel Horowitz Shlit”a – Rav of Zera Kodesh BP, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Meir, The Ponivisher Rov ZT”L was Mechubod [honored] with the Aliyoh of Maftir and Haftoroh. As is the Minhog [custom] in that Shul, the Oleh leined the Haftorah out loud. When the Ponivizsher Rov ZT”L, reached the Possuk of “Shuvoh Yisroel ad Hashem Elokechoh”, tears started to stream down his face, as though it was Shabbos Shuvoh. If so, surely on Shabbos Shuvoh itself one must utilize the moment to its proper level.
Shabbos as a Sign and Opportunity for Teshuvah
The Children of Israel shall observe the Sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout the ages as a covenant for all time: it shall be a sign for all time between Me and the Children of Israel. For in six days Hashem made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He ceased from work and was refreshed. [Shemos 31:16-17]
As this Shabbos is Shabbos Shuvoh - the Shabbos of Repentance, one must make a viewing if his Shabbos observance is as it should be, and he is now given a chance to rectify it. To this note we will relate a story, I heard from Rav Binyomin Adler Shlit”a, of Yerusholayim, of a Kotzker Chossid who at an elderly age gave his Tefillin to a Sofer [scribe], to have them checked to be Kosher. After the inspection, the scribe gave him the sad news that since his Bar Mitzvah he had not practiced the Mitzvah of Tefillin, as they were not Kosher. The Kotzker Chossid broke out in a dance, and exclaimed happily, “Until now unfortunately I did not perform the Mitzvah of Tefillin, but NOW I will be able to, for the rest of my life”!!! As Shabbos and Tefillin are both an “Ois” – a sign, [and therefore Tefillin is not worn on Shabbos], so too we can be more careful, in our observance, respect, and honor of Shabbos. The one key to know is, as in the above story to make an acceptance NOW. As we must also repeat the words of the Ramba”m [Maimonides], Ho’omer echteh vi’oshuv, ein maspikin biyodo lasos Teshuvoh [He who says I will sin and repent, he is not given the chance to repent]. Teshuvoh is a gift from Hashem, let us utilize it! Tefillin! Shabbos! Geshmack!!! – Wonderful!!!
A contemporary Dayan Shlit”a of a respected community, exclaimed as follows. Surely Klall Yisroel is very scrupulous to follow every Halochoh of the present time and therefore he is receiving many calls of not eating sour or bitter foods and nuts too. One call he is awaiting, of one who is looking to mend his ways. May it be on infringing on one’s feelings, or to rectify a monetary wrongdoing. We do not intend to be cynical, rather constructive criticism, only.
The Sefas Emes ZY”A dwells on the point of “Shabbos Shuvoh”. Why is the day of Shabbos pointed out specifically more than any of the other ten days of Aseres Yimei Teshuvoh? To this he explains that Shabbos helps one to do Teshuvoh. Therefore, one must strengthen in the Shmiras Shabbos – observance of Shabbos, as this is the first Shabbos of the year.
Just as on Rosh Hashonoh we do symbols to start the year off on a positive note, so too we shall strengthen ourselves on this first Shabbos to its complete observance, as so all of the Shabbosim of the year will shine in their full strength.
Shabbos: A Source of Joy and Protection
Rav Avrohom Elimelech of Karlin ZY”A HY”D expounded on this in three sections. We shall rejoice in Hashem’s Kingdom on Shabbos, those who observe it and feast in it. More so those who sanctify it. Nevertheless, all shall be satisfied and have pleasure in it. But all are satisfied and grateful to observe Shabbos.
He who observes Shabbos, Shabbos protects him. This is not insurance; it is equity.
Closing Blessings and Announcements
לע''נ הרה''צ ר' שמעון נתן נטע בן הרה''צ ר' משה מרדכי זצ''ל כ''ק אדמו"ר מלעלוב - יום כיפור תש"ע - תנצב''ה
לע"נ מו"ר הרה"ג ר' רפאל ב"ר ישראל גרין זצ"ל - יום כיפור תשס"ז - תנצב''ה
לע"נ זקנתי הרבנית ראדיא חנה בת ר' מנשה ע"ה גאנצווייג יום כיפור תשי"ד - תנצב''ה
זכותם יגן עלינו ועל כל ישראל אמן
בברכת גמר חתימה טובה
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