H-shem Running the World, Events of 2010 to lead us to Teshuva

In last week’s Parsha, Yaakov Avinu gives Yosef the reason behind his switching hands in blessing Menashe and Ephraim: “...but his younger brother shall be greater than him”. HaRav Avigdor Miller, Z’tl, provides the following incisive insight here: “This is another instance of the surprises that Hashem caused in history. Kayin and Hevel left no posterity, for only the seed of the younger Shais survived. Yefes was older, but Shem was chosen. Yishmael was older, but Yitzchak was chosen. Esav was the first-born, but Yaakov gained the birthright and the blessings. Reuven was the first-born, but the Bechorah was given to Yosef. Menashe was the first-born, but Efraim was given the superiority. Rochel was the best-loved; but Levi gained for his posterity the privilege of nearness to Hashem--Moshe, Aharon and the Kohanim came from the Levi; and it was Leah’s son Yehudah who was the progenitor of Dovid and his seed. Indeed, the entire nation of the Jews today are the Yehudim and are accordingly labeled descendants of Leah. Dovid, the youngest son of Yishai, was chosen by Hashem after all the older brothers were rejected. These are not mere coincidences, but are Hashem’s plan of demonstrating by unexpected turns that men’s history is not a result of material causes but the hand of Hashem.”

Hakhel Note: Having provided this essential insight, we provide by the following link (supplied to us by a reader) a secular article with astounding facts about the secular year 2010--which highlights the way the happenings of this world are treated by those in this world without Emunah Chushis:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20101219/D9K734E81.html

For those who prefer not to click on the link, we provide the following salient passages: “This was the year the Earth struck back. Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter million people in 2010, the deadliest year in more than a generation. More people were killed worldwide by natural disasters this year than have been killed in terrorism attacks in the past 40 years combined....I think it is the end of the world,” she said. “Our planet warns us against what would happen if we don’t care about nature.” ....Preliminary data show that 18 countries broke their records for the hottest day ever....That’s why the people who study disasters for a living say it would be wrong to chalk 2010 up to just another bad year. The Earth strikes back in cahoots with bad human decision-making,” said a weary Debarati Guha Sapir, director for the World Health Organization’s Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. “It’s almost as if the policies, the government policies and development policies, are helping the Earth strike back instead of protecting from it. We’ve created conditions where the slightest thing the Earth does is really going to have a disproportionate impact.”.... A list of day-by-day disasters in 2010 compiled by the AP runs 64 printed pages long....”

Clearly, it behooves us all to put world events over the past twelve months in proper perspective. The reader who sent us this link also sent us the words of Rashi and the Meiri (to Yevamos 63A)--who write that these kinds of happenings occur: “K’dei LeYiram Ahd She’Yoshuvu--in order to urge us on to new levels of Teshuva. To this end, HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon, Shlita brings the Medrash in Bereishis Rabba which teaches that for twenty-five years Hashem brought volcano and earthquake types of disasters to the environs of Sedom--but the people of Sedom chose to view it in the ways of newsworthy happenings, mother-earth rumblings and the like. HaRav Salomon teaches that when the Pasuk (both by the Dor Haflaga and Sedom) teaches that Hashem “came down to see” it refers to exactly these kinds of events--for after all Hashem does not have to ‘come down’ to see-- his ‘coming down’ signifies His making His presence felt in very tangible ways--and our duty to act on his unusual kind of appearance.

We must all feel the current closeness to Hashem and respond in kind--with especially dedicated acts of Teshuva. The very fact that the secular world at large recognizes the extraordinary nature and degree of the catastrophes and disasters should serve as the springboard of our awakening--for, after all, are we not the Am Segula which is distinguished by its closeness to Hashem? Let us bli neder commit to improve in those areas in which one would be embarrassed to stand before Moshiach if he would see you (or through you). The excess desire, the jealousy, the negative chatter, the lack of ‘give’ in listening to another, the failure to treat Mitzvos with the alacrity, joy and dedication deserved (coming on time, care and helping others to perform)...everyone knows their strengths and weaknesses. What will the next twelve months bring? We hope very great things--if enough of us get the message. Each and every one of us could literally be a very great factor in helping bring billions in this world to the end of a long and difficult flight…with a smooth, successful and safe landing. Let’s accept the great responsibility--and the sacred mission!

Asara beTevet, Teshuva, 8 Tevet, 9 Tevet etc.

From today's Hakhel email:

Special Note Three: Today is the eighth day of Teves, the tragic day upon which the Torah was translated into Greek, the Septuagint, which is marked as a Ta’anis Tzadikim (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 580:2). For further detail on the tragedy of the Septuagint, we refer you to the Sefer HaToda’ah, translated into English as The Book of Our Heritage (Feldheim), by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, Z’tl.

Tomorrow, the ninth day of Teves is actually also a Ta’anis Tzadikim, for it is the Yahrtzeit of Ezra HaSofer (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim ibid., Mishna Berurah seif katan 13). As a zechus for Ezra Hasofer, one can review the Takanos that Ezra instituted, as described in Bava Kamma 82A.

These two days are then followed by a third Ta’anis, Asara B’Teves, which is observed by all.

The Chasam Sofer in a Drasha that he gave on the eighth day of Teves (approximately 200 years ago) suggests that after the 70-day period of mourning in Egypt ended for Yaakov Avinu, the Bnei Yisroel traveled to Eretz Canaan and eventually buried Yaakov Avinu--on Asara B’Teves. The date of Eisav’s death is then--yes, Asara B’Teves, as well.

There is much to learn from the Chasam Sofer’s conclusion in our observance of Asara B’Teves. After all, Ma'aseh Avos Siman L’Bonim--that which occurred to our forefathers is a sign for future generations. Firstly, Chazal teach us that “Yaakov Avinu Lo Mais.” That is, even though it may appear to us that Yaakov passed away, in fact, he lives on--most certainly so in spirit. We, too, having experienced the devastating blow of the events of Asara B’Teves more than 2,500 years ago have not rolled over and died as scores of other nations have in the meantime. Moreover, what ultimately happened on Asara B’Teves was the death of Eisav. This, the Chasam Sofer writes, is symbolic of Asara B’Teves in the end being turned from a date of sadness to a day of “Sasson V’Simcha”--joy and happiness.

The missing link to bring us to what Asara B’Teves is supposed to be is Teshuva. We all know that this is the shortest fast of the year, so it should be the easiest. That is a gift in and of itself. However long or short the fast is, in order to be meaningful, it must be accompanied by Teshuva. We must do something. We must make a move to revitalize Yaakov, and to once and for all, put Eisav away.

One suggestion may be to take out your Vidui booklet, or other Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur reminder. We especially note that Asara B’Teves is “Asiri Lakodesh”--the next tenth day in a series of ten day periods since Yom Kippur--an especially auspicious day for personal improvement!

One final, but important comment: Rashi explains that when Yosef and Binyamin fell on each other’s necks in last week’s Parsha (Bereishis 45:14), it was to symbolize the destruction of the two Batei Mikdashos, and the Mishkan of Shilo, which were located in their respective territories in Eretz Yisroel. The Avnei Nezer explains that the “necks” symbolize the Bais HaMikdash and the Mishkan, because just as the neck connects the head (which is the resting place of the soul) to the rest of the body, so, too, does the Bais HaMikdash (and the Mishkan) fully and finally connect our physical lives to our spiritual existence. When we yearn for the Bais HaMikdash, we are yearning to connect our corporeal life to the highest spiritual plane it can achieve. By endeavoring to make a brocha (the spiritual) over food (the physical) properly, we demonstrate that we are sincerely preparing for--and awaiting--the day when we truly can connect our bodies to our souls in the most absolute and outstanding way that we can!

Geulah - Yes, even in this "lowly" generation...

Beautiful insight in today's Hakhel email:

Special Note Four: HaRav Dovid Kviat, Z’tl, in the Sefer Sukkas Dovid writes that the Chofetz Chaim was asked how Hashem would bring Moshiach if the Jewish people had been experiencing deterioration in each succeeding generation. The Chofetz Chaim responded that the Geulah will come based upon the pasuk in Malachi ( 3:16 ) “Az Yidbaru Yirei Hashem Ish El Raieihu--then they who fear Hashem will talk among themselves” [to strengthen the Jewish people]... and then Hashem will send Eliyahu HaNavi. HaRav Kviat continues: “Similarly, at the time of the miracle of Chanukah, the entire Jewish people had not yet repented. It was only a small band that fought the Greeks. The majority of the Jewish people were mired in sin. But following the victory of the Chashmonaim and the miracle of the jug of oil, the nation repented. Just as from the one small jug of oil, the Menorah was able to remain lit for eight days, so, too, did the few Torah-true Jews miraculously save all of Jewry. We must understand that the miracle of Chanukah is different from other miracles because it happened at a time when only a minority was worthy. Therefore, it was established for all generations. This is alluded to in Al HaNissim, where we say that Hashem gave over “the many in the hands of the few.” They were few not only in comparison to the Greeks, but they were also few in the people of Israel . For this reason, their victory was exceptionally miraculous. So, too, when Moshiach comes will the small knot of Yirei Hashem bring the entire people to salvation and repentance.” Hakhel Note: Wouldn’t you like to be among this special group? We have the lessons and the lead of the Maccabim to follow!

Carmel Fire, Haftarah of Shabbat Chanukah, End to Drought

From today's Hakhel email: - I added the hyperlink to Reb Lazer's page as referenced below if anyone wants to see it. BTW if anyone can expound on what the Shir HaShirim Rabbah passage means please elucidate for us!

Thank you and hopefully we will see the Geulah quite soon!
Esther Asna

Special Note One: Now that the unprecedented tragic fire on Har HaCarmel is “under control”, we reflect upon its non-coincidental message of wild fire unleashed in the Festival of Neiros, and in a time when it is not fire--but water--which is so desperately needed in Eretz Yisroel. By now, many have seen the reference to Shir Hashirim Rabbah (on the Pasuk of KeShoshana Bein Hachochim; 2:5) brought by Rabbi Lazer Brody (translator of The Garden of Emunah) which Rabbi Brody suggests points directly to the fire and its meaning. http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/lazer_beams/2010/12/the-haifa-fire.html We would like to provide the following message. The Pesikta teaches (we do not follow this Pesikta LeHalacha) that the Haftarah for Shabbos Chanukah is the Haftarah of Eliyahu on Har HaCarmel against the Neviei Haba’al--in which a fire came down Min HaShamayim and consumed the Korban of Eliyahu--upon which the people spontaneously proclaimed Hashem Hu HaElokim! Hashem Hu HaElokim! The essence of Chanukah and the essence of the lesson from Eliyahu Hanavi on the very same Har HaCarmel is Hashem Hu HaElokim--whether it be the miracle of the wars, the miracle of the oil, the quashing of Greece as a world power, the resurgence of the Bais Hamikdash--it was all by the hand of Hashem.

Esther Asna's note: Here is the URL to a blog post that explains the Haftorah in more detail: http://shiratdevorah.blogspot.com/2010/12/eliyahu-drought-rain-and-mt-carmel.html

As the Artscroll Siddur beautifully pits it in a brief explanatory note in Al Hanissim on the words ‘VeAchar Kein Ba’u Vonecha’: “By their [immediate] actions after the success of the revolt, the Jews proved that they were interested not in military victory nor in political power, but in undisturbed service of Hashem (Chofetz Chaim).” Our Emunah must take us to recognize the absolute and uncompromising reality of Hashem in all happenings, circumstances and events. We have had a reinforcement of this lesson this Chanukah. We hope that a new reality will emerge from these serious events--for almost immediately after the people unanimously exclaimed Hashem Hu HaElokim (Melochim I 18:39) at Har HaCarmel--the Pasuk teaches that the drought in the land miraculously ended with Achav’s sighting of a small cloud in the distance which quickly became a ‘geshem gadol.’ The lesson had been learned then and the people were saved--hopefully we too have sufficiently taken Hashem Hu HaElokim to heart now as well. Practical Actions: 1.We emphasize in Al HaNissim that the Chanukah miracles were undertaken by Hashem “Berachamecha HaRabbim”. Let us find where we use this exact phrase or language very similar to it in the course of our tefillos, and have Kavana to be saved, spared and redeemed again--for Hashem Hu HaElokim! 2. The bracha in Shemone Esrei of Re’eh (Na) VeAnyeinu is a bracha in which we request Hashem’s salvation from difficult situations and peoples--and in which we ask Hashem to ‘wage our wars’ on our behalf just as he did for the Maccabim. It is certainly an auspicious time, and a display of belief in the Chanukah Miracles--if we put extra Kavana into our pleas for contemporary salvations from the Sonei Yisroel and their inventions in the hidden and not so hidden locations all around us--for Hashem Hu HaElokim!