We are about to usher in the Shabbos which closes 5778. We know that Shabbos is the source of all blessings. As we look forward to a better year, let us work on the preparation thru celebrating this holy Shabbos with greater observance, greater emotion and stronger commitment to utilizing every free moment of the Shabbos for Torah study and fulfilling more mitzvohs. Hopefully, we will all merit a sweet new year filled with blessing, material and spiritual.
This week we are privileged to read the portion of Nitzovim. The portion discusses the importance of everyone, regardless of education or financial background, being bound to Torah observance. The covenant between us and Hashem is meant for everyone. We are all obligated to repair what we did wrong. Although the portion is short, it is huge in content.
The Torah states in Devorim chapter 30 verse 11: For this commandment which I command you this day, is not hidden from you, nor is it far off.
12. It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13. Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14. But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.
These verses are referring to all of us regarding Torah study. One shall not say the Torah is out of reach.
Reb Yehoshua of Dzhikov explains the verse Ki Korov eilecho hadovor meod - But the word is very near to you, the word meod also means finances. This, says the Dzhikov Rebbe, is a hint to those who are tied up and don’t have the ability to study Torah as much as they should. There’s an option for them to be rewarded just as if they were studying, that is, thru financially supporting those who learn and teach Torah. By doing so one will be rewarded as if he too studied, just as it was with the the two brothers Yisoschor and Zvulun. (That is the reference to the word Meod as in b’chol meodecha, we read daily in Shma).
There's another important lesson from these verses. When someone feels that he's struggling to keep a specific mitzvah, the Torah tells us the way to deal with it, to learn the laws of that specific mitzvah in the Torah this will bring a desire in our hearts to fulfill the mitzvah. That is the reference in "your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it".
May we merit to properly prepare for the new year, and merit to be inscribed in the book of life.
Ksiva vchasima Tova
Gut Shabbos,
No comments:
Post a Comment