Dvar Torah for Rosh HaShanah

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Beheimah v'Chayah Tehorah 4:45–46

Why do we eat honey with the challah and with the apple the first
night of Rosh HaShanah? Every Jew knows it’s a siman, a sign, that
we should have a sweet year. (It’s a testament to our faith that we
believe that our eating honey has theurgical effect.) But there’s an
even more powerful message in that sweet bite.

For a Jew, one of the most amazing things about honey is that it is
kosher. Bees are not kosher, yet the honey they produce is. No other
non-kosher animal or bird can make that claim! This is even more
amazing when we consider that there's no procedure or mitzvah that we
need to do to make it kosher.

Reb Noson explains that in the on-going journey that mankind is
making, there are two broad categories of tikkunim, rectifications,
that are being made. There are those that we the people are
responsible for, and those that God is doing. We’re supposed serve
Him and obey. We do what we can, imperfectly because we are only
human, and God finishes the job.

But being human we don’t always do what we’re supposed to.
Sometimes our mistakes are unintentional, but sometimes—and let’s
be honest here—they’re quite intentional. How can our mistakes
bring us, as individuals and as a species, to our desired destiny? Reb
Noson quotes Rebbe Nachman who said, “God is constantly getting the
job done.”* What Rebbe Nachman meant, explains Reb Noson, is that no
matter how badly a person or the human race botches the job, God will
fix and steer things to the ending He wants**—if and when we do
teshuvah (return).

That's the lesson of the honey. We haven't been so kosher for much
too long a time. Yet, somehow, in some mysterious, unfathomable way,
God can take all our sick and crazy ideas, our poisonous, filthy
words, our laziness and greed, our cruelty to ourselves and others,
and our disrespect for Him, and turn it all into the sweetest and best
of all possible worlds.

May we live to see it and be part of it. Amen.

May you and yours be immediately written into the Book of the
Tzaddikim.

Copyright 2009 Breslov Research Institute

*Actually, what he said was, “Gott firt tamid ois.”

** WARNING! This is only for past mistakes and unintentional future
mistakes. There is absolutely no license for behaving badly and
relying on God’s kindness to clean up your mess.

--

www.breslov.org

Parashas Nitzovim

"V'haya ki yavou alecha kol ha'devarim ha'eleh ha'bracha v'ha'klalah asher nasati lefanecha vhashevosa el levavecha/And it will be when all these things come to you, the blessing and the curse which I have given before you, and you shall take it to your heart." (Devorim 30:1)

Rav Yonason Eybeshutz explained that every life situation has its unique test of our character and can either be utilized for growth or can cause a person to have new faults. When a person is blessed with financial success, he can free his mind from things that distract his concentration during prayers and Torah study. Poverty, too, can help a person elevate himself by breaking his arrogance and conceit. This will be beneficial in his relationship with Hashem and with his fellowman. On the other hand, wealth can cause a person to commit all kinds of wrongdoings and to distance himself from Hashem. Poverty also can prevent a person from seeking self improvement. Everything is dependent on how a person utilizes or misuses both the good fortune and the difficulties that Hashem sends to test him. Therefore the Torah tells us "you shal take it to heart." It is entirely up to us (with Hashems help of course!) how we respond to various life-tests. Talk to Hashem about it, ask Him what your supposed to learn, which way your supposed to go. As we see in the end of the parasha "Ki karov elecha hadavar meod bficha ubilvavecha la'asoso/The matter is very close to you in your mouth and heart to do it." (Devorim 30:14) As the saying goes "Just do it!!!" And even if you cant at this time just the desire that you have for doing the right thing gets you credit!

Have a great Shabbos. See you in Uman!!!!

Parashas Ki Savo - Rejoice with all the good the Almighty has given you.

"V'samachta bkol hatov asher natan lecha Hashem Elokecha/And you shall rejoice with all the good that the Almighty has given you" (Devarim 26:11)

This is a mitzvah. We are obligated to feel joy with what we were given by Hashem the Almighty. Why do we need a directive to rejoice since we should automatically be happy when we have good things? Man's nature is to constantly want more than he presently has. "He who has one hundred wants two hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34) Our moments of joy are always mixed with a certain amount of sadness over what we lack. The Torah, therefore, commands us to rejoice with what we have. We should always strive to feel a joy that is complete. Lack of joy with what we have is destructive both physically and spiritually. (Rabbi Mordechai Gifter; Pirkei Torah)

It's like Rebbe Nachman always said"Mitzvah Gedolah Lehios B'simcha tamid/It is a great mitzvah to always be happy!!!!!"

Have a wonderful Shabbos and please join me in welcoming The Family Jewels back to the blogging world!!!!
Etan