Living Kosher
B"H
Re’eh - Living Kosher
For candle lighting times anywhere in the world you may go to: https://www.chabad.org/alendar/candlelighting_cdo/id/6226/jewish/Candle-Lighting-Times.htm and adjust the location.
Pirkei Avot chapter 6
The molad will be Tuesday 10:44 a.m. and 15 chalakim
Rosh Chodesh is This Tuesday and Wednesday August 22nd and 23rd
The first words of this week’s portion are “Behold I give before you this day Bracha (blessing).” May Hashem grant peace and protection to the land of Israel and the Jewish Nation worldwide and grant you and your entire family a wonderful, healthy, happy, fulfilling, prosperous and sweet new year and may we merit the redemption this year - NOW!
This Shabbat we read the portion of Re’eh and celebrate Rosh Chodesh Elul. The portion begins with Hashem’s assurance that by fulfilling His commandments we will procure His blessings and continues with the unique sanctity of the Temple in Yerushalayim and our eternal bond to the site of the Temple. Thereafter the Torah discusses at length the Kosher laws, the laws of charity, and the holidays. The month of Elul is called the month of mercy, and is the month of spiritual stocktaking in which we prepare for the days of judgment, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Beyond the obvious message that as we approach Rosh Hashanah we be more stringent in keeping Kosher, there is a special connection between the Kosher laws and the spiritual introspection in the month of Elul. Eating is metaphorical of our service of Hashem, in that when we eat, we elevate one form of existence to a higher one (the inanimate, plants, and animals become part of the human). Similarly, through following the Torah, we elevate the mundane to the sacred. An animal skin becomes a Mezuzah, a ram’s horn becomes a Shofar and a coin becomes an instrument of charity.
The symbols of a Kosher animal are that it has split hooves and chews it’s cud. Both of these serve as metaphors for aspects of our service of Hashem. Pure service of Hashem demands that we serve Him not as an expression of our nature, but rather total submission to His will. When we serve Hashem in only one manner, for example kindness or severity, this is a sign that we are expressing our own nature rather than subjugating our will. When we are well rounded in Hashem’s service, this is a sign that we are serving Him. This is exemplified by the narrative of the binding of Yitzchak, which we read in the Torah the first day of Rosh Hashanah. After Avraham was ready to sacrifice his son, Hashem said, “Now I know that you fear G-d.” Previous thereto, Avraham had served Hashem for decades and had risked his own life for G-d’s service. Why did Hashem say now I know? Avraham was the epitome of kindness. Although he had served Hashem for many years, when he went against his nature by being ready to sacrifice his son, he showed his true devotion. This is symbolized by the split hooves, which go in both directions. The hooves must be fully split, teaching that we must have full fervor in doing those things that defy our nature.
In order not to err, we must constantly contemplate and reevaluate what we have done. Not only must we fix our mistakes, but we must improve upon our good deeds as well, assuring they are with full sincerity and seeking to do them in a more complete manner. This is symbolized by chewing of the cud.
There is also a special connection between charity and the month of Elul. Giving of charity is a form of supplication to Hashem that He should act in a charitable manner. It is appropriate that even if we are fully deserving of vindication in Hashem’s judgment, we consider ourselves dependent upon His mercy. We find that even when Moshe prayed for himself, he beseeched Hashem’s charity. If we have made mistakes, we certainly need His charity in the judgment for the New Year. This is why we begin the Selichot with the prayer L’cha Hashem Hatzedaka, which means that “Your acts Hashem are all charity.” Therefore, in these days preceding Rosh Hashanah, we increase in charity and kindness.
Through self elevation and increasing in acts of charity may we see Hashem’s blessings in every aspect of our lives and may we speedily behold the coming of Moshiach with our own eyes.
A Good Shabbos and Good Chodesh,
Moshiach NOW!
Eliyahu
Elul-Preparing for a New and Greater Light
May Hashem inscribe you, your entire family and all those who are dear to you in the book of life for a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year and may we see the redemption through Moshiach immediately.
This Tuesday and Wednesday August 22nd and 23rd are Rosh Chodesh Elul, which usher in the month of Elul.
After we received the Torah on Mount Sinai, on the fortieth day of Moshe’s ascent, the Jewish people sinned by making the golden calf. On the following day, Moshe descended from the mountain and broke the tablets. He punished the sinners and again ascended the mountain to beseech Hashem’s pardon. Hashem was very angry and wanted to annihilate the people, and was only appeased when Moshe pleaded, “If you will not forgive them, erase my name from the Torah.” For forty days and nights Moshe pleaded with Hashem until He agreed to forgive and rewrite the tablets. Moshe descended from the mountain and carved new tablets. On Rosh Chodesh Elul he again ascended to receive the second tablets. He remained for an additional forty days, during which Hashem revealed to him new depths in Torah. At the conclusion of the forty days, on Yom Kippur, Hashem fully forgave the Jewish people and Moshe descended with the Second Tablets. Therefore, these days are special days of Divine Mercy to repent and mend our ways.
In last week’s portion we are told that Hashem’s eyes are upon the land of Israel from the beginning of the year until the end of the year. Rashi explains that through Israel Hashem supervises and blesses the entire world. Why does the Torah say from the beginning of the year until the end, rather than sufficing with always? Every year a new light that has never existed illuminates the world. Elul is the month of preparation to receive this new light.
Certain customs are observed in the month of Elul. Chapter 27 of Psalms is read after morning and afternoon services. The chapter begins “Hashem, You are my light and salvation.” The commentaries explain that Hashem is our light in Rosh Hashanah and our salvation on Yom Kippur. Three extra chapters of Psalms are said each day (On Sunday, chapters 1-3, Thursday 4-6…). The Shofar is blown every day except Shabbat and the day before Rosh Hashanah. This is because the sound of the Shofar awakens us to Teshuvah (repentance). Another reason is that when Moshe ascended to receive the second tablets on Rosh Chodesh Elul, the sound of the Shofar was heard throughout the camp and Hashem’s name was thereby exalted. We blow the Shofar in commemoration thereof. The Shofar also will herald the coming of Moshiach. Blowing the Shofar confuses our evil nature, which will cease to exist when Moshiach comes. There is a custom to increase in charity and check the Mezuzot and Tefillin in the month of Elul, and similarly to take care of religious commitments that have been delayed. Whenever writing a letter, we wish a good new year. Those who bless others receive blessings.
In Likutei Torah, the Alter Rebbe poses an interesting question. Kabbalah explains that the prohibition of work on the holidays is because of the intensity of Hashem’s presence. As such, it would seem that the entire month of Elul should be one long holiday, because of the revelation of Hashem’s mercy! (The specific revelation of mercy is referred to as the Thirteen attributes of mercy, which is a lofty revelation primarily expressed on Yom Kippur.)
The Alter Rebbe answers this with a parable of a king who goes out to the field to greet his servants. Although throughout the year the king is in his palace, and can only be accessed by special individuals with an appointment, once a year the king goes out into the field and whoever wants can go and greet the king and he receives them with a joyous countenance and displays affection to them. Thereafter he returns to his palace, accompanied by the people. Similarly, throughout the year we cannot feel Hashem’s presence while engaged in mundane matters. When Elul arrives, Hashem allows us to greet Him while involved in our daily work, and is accessible to all. His smiling countenance encourages and enables us to approach Him and unite with Him.
The Hebrew word Elul is an abbreviation for “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine). May it be Hashem’s will that by our increased devotion in the month of Elul we will merit the returning of Hashem’s presence to Yerushalayim with the coming of Moshiach.
A good Chodesh and a wonderful and sweet new year!
Moshiach NOW!
Eliyahu