ONE POINT from Lekutei Sichos Chelek 15 Sicha for Asarah BTeves

Dedicated in honor of Nisson Hodakov, on occasion of his becoming a Bar Mitzvah

First cycle of learning Likkutei Sichos - 5784

Sicha resources: www.ProjectLikkuteiSichos.org
Feedback welcome: [email protected]
Lubavitch Hebrew Academy, Margate, FL

IN THE RAMBAM:

The רמב"ם writes at the end of הלכות תענית:

עֲתִידִים לִהְיוֹת יוֹם טוֹב וִימֵי שָׂשוֹן וְשִמְחָׂה ...כָׂל הַצּוֹמוֹת הָׂאֵלּוּ

In the future, all these fasts that commemorate events connected with the destruction of the בית המקדש will be transformed into days of rejoicing and celebration.

QUESTION:

רמב"ם is a ספר of הלכות.
Why does he write that in the future the fast days will be days of rejoicing?

ANSWERS / LIFE LESSON:

1. In general, רמב"ם also includes הלכות that apply in the time of משיח as well, so it makes sense that he would include the future of these fast days.
2. The fact that these days will become days of celebration is relevant now as well, because this knowledge inspires us to have hope and not to give up.
3. The objective of the fast day is to remind us to do תשובה. Knowing that these fast days will become days of joy helps us understand what kind of תשובה we must do.
   A very powerful תשובה that comes from a deep love of Hashem can transform the sins of the past into merits. This same kind of תשובה can transform the days of fasting into days of celebration.

Further discussion:

What is the special connection with this idea and Parshas Vayigash?
(See אות ב and אותיות יב-טו in the Sicha)