Thoughts from Parshas Matos Masei
In parshas Masei, the torah tells us (again) that Aharon was niftar and that his yahrtzeit is Rosh Chodesh Av. Not coincidentally, parshas Masei, always precedes Rosh Chodesh Av.We are now right in the middle of the three weeks. The weeks of shlosha d'puraneesa. There are always three shabbosim during the three weeks and we always lain the same three haftoras whether or not parshos Matos and Masei are lained together or separately.
It's interesting to note the first words of each of these haftoras. The first is "Divrei" Yirmiyahu... speech. The second is "Shimu" dvar Hashem....hearing and the final one is "Chazon" Yeshayahu..... sight.
The three weeks are an opportunity for us to do teshuva on our aveiros that are committed in (almost) all instances, by one of these three senses. I have even heard that the aveiros that are "yeharaig v'al yaavor" fit into one of each of these categories. Retzicha can fit into speech. why? because we know that hamalbin or hamevaze pnei chaveiro, k'ilu horgo". We may not murder physically, but how many of us are innocent and have never embarrassed or told lashon hara about a friend.
Avodah Zarah means listening to the wrong voice in your head and finally Gilui Arayos fitting into sight doesn't need any explanations.
This being the week of shimu, let's counter the shimu dvar Hashem with the shema of shema yisrael and bring ourselves to the point where "hasheevainu Hashem ailecha venashuva, CHaDeSH yamainu k'kedem".
What is Chadesh? the rashei tayvos of CHazon, Dirshu and Shimu.
Good Shabbos!
posted by A Frum Idealist | 7/21/2006 12:33:00 PM
11 Comments:
"Avodah Zarah means listening to the wrong voice in your head "
It's also just forgetting that Hashem plays and active part in the olam. Great post, and a comfort as I appraoch Av.
"Avodah Zarah means listening to the wrong voice in your head "
I like that quote, interesting perspective on this issue. I have to say I love the monkey pic. I am biased, I always think monkey pics are hilarious.
nice post afi.
question - what's the appropriate way to do teshuva on a regular basis (i.e. not rosh hashana and yom kipur when you have those tefilos). do you just say it in your own words?
There are numerous ways to do teshuva on a regular basis. You can use your own words. Many siddurim, on the bottom, by the bracha of shema koleinu also have an accepted text. It starts Ana Hashem chatasi, etc.
The word Ana is very powerful, it invokes the "powers" of the people that the word stands for. It's the rashei tavos of Eliyahu, Nadav and Avihu.
The key to teshuva though really is azivas hachait.
thank you
that was beautiful
But we all make mistakes, isnt that a little harsh? (About the avoda zara line....)
oh yes. it's quite harsh, but looking at it from chazal's perspective, if you believe shivisi Hashem l'negdi TAMID, then the only way you can sin is by, in some way, not believing in Hashem or in HIS ultimate power. Any sin is a violation against Hashem, so if/when we do it, we are either rebelling or "thinking" that he can't see us doing it.
Don't get me wrong, Halvai we were at that level, but in the purest sense, any aveira has a hint of avoda zara. (SCARY, I know...)
I disagree. I think people who sin dont stop believing in Hashem, they are just human and can't control themselves at that moment. They can still be very much aware that what they are doing is wrong and still be ashamed etc.
again, in terms of our perspective, I agree with you, but from chazal's perspective...... you are a mother, how would you react if your child KNEW you were watching and yet went against one of your decisions/rulings/"commandments". It's blatant disregard. Hashem is always watching....
Makes sense, but as a mother I already (at this age) witnessed my kid doing something when I was watching that wasnt supposed to be done. Its natural. All kids test by pushing their limits.
Interesting website with a lot of resources and detailed explanations.
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