Moving Thoughts on the Matzav as always from Hakhel

Points and pointers relating to the matzav of K’lal Yisrael at this time:

1. Today, we can see and feel the words of Dovid HaMelech that we recite daily in Pesukei D’Zimra (Tehillim 146:3) “Al Tivtichu ViNedivim Bevenn Adam She’ein Lo Seshuah…do not rely on nobles, nor on a human being, for he holds no salvation.” A ceasefire with the rabid enemy and the assurances of nedivim to put the ceasefire into place are in the real world meaningless. Rather, as Dovid HaMelech continues: “Ashrei SheKail Yaakov BeEzro Sivro Ahl Hashem Elokav…praiseworthy is one whose help is from Yaakov’s G-d, whose hope is in Hashem, his G-d.”

2. Chazal (Shabbos 10A) teach us how we are to daven--especially in an eis tzara--”Ke’avda Kami Marei--like a servant in front of his master.” What does this mean? We suggest that it means with submission, with servitude, with sincerity and with a keen awareness of the meekness and frailty of the servant in front of his All-Powerful Master. We have to stretch out our hand, we have to genuinely plead. After we have done so, we can then remember that we are not only avadim--but are also Banim Lamakom--children of a loving Father, as the Pasuk explicitly states: “Banim Atem LaShem Elokeichem!”

3. It may feel a little bit strange going about our daily business when we know how so many of our brethren first in the northeastern United States who have been affected by the hurricane, and then in Eretz Yisrael have been affected by the bombardments, have not been able to lead their lives in what was their previously ‘normal’ manner or routine. It is obviously Hashem’s Hashgacha Pratis that determines how each person is to serve his life’s purpose and his role in K’lal Yisrael and in the world every day and every moment. One thought, however, is that as we go about our daily business, we can attempt to do so in a more spiritually heightened sense: As we daven, perhaps we can try to focus more--discovering nuances in the words recited, and instilling particular meanings into the words (such asSomeich Noflim--Hashem gives support to those who have fallen, orMatzmi’ach Yeshuah--Hashem makes salvations sprout); maybe our Tehillim recitation should not be as fast; perhaps our learning should be with additional fervor and concentration; and hopefully the previously ‘wasted’moments while waiting for someone on the phone, on a line or at a light can be specifically recaptured as a zechus for Acheinu Bnei Yisrael. If we can accomplish this then it is not their lives that have changed--it is our lives!

4. HaRav Gamliel Rabanovitch, Shlita (Tiv HaEmunah, p.261)teaches that in Tehillim 20 (Ya’ancha Hashem BeYom Tzara), Dovid HaMelech especially adds the phrase: “Neranena BiShuasecha…may we sing for joy at your salvation.” This means that when a person is in a time of tzara and needs a Yeshuah--he should thank Hashem over the Yeshuah that will come. The words become an outpouring of pure Emunah. Dovid HaMelech teaches it all to us:“Tzara VeYagon Emtzah U’VeSheim Hashem Ekrah; Kos Yeshuos Esah U’VeSheim Hashem Ekrah.” We cry out to Hashem in our pain. We cry out to Hashem in anticipation of His salvation!

5. HaRav Shlomo Volbe, Z’tl, (Alei Shur, Vol. I, p.281) teaches of the importance of Eretz Yisrael to each and every one of us. It is the land about which the Torah testifies: “Tamid Einei Hashem Elokecha Bah.” In fact, the Sefer Kuzari(2:14) writes that the entire land is LifneiHashem--present in front of Hashem. Although every other country has a Malach which gives the country and the nation which resides within it its tzuras hachaim--its way of life, the same is not true for Eretz Yisrael--where there is no koach ruchni other than that of Hashem Himself. It is only Hashem Who is mashpiah on the land and its inhabitants. It is for this reason that Moshe Rabbeinu had such a tremendous desire to enter Eretz Yisrael, for although he spoke ‘Peh El Peh’ to the Shechinah in Chutz La’aretz--it simply could not match the madreiga of Hashra’as Hashechina that can take place in Eretz Yisrael. The ruchniyus is so pervasive that theBach (Tur, Orach Chaim 208) writes that in the bracha of Mei’ein Shalosh (Ahl HaMichya,Ahl HaEitz, Ahl HaGefen), we specifically ask Hashem that He rebuild the Bais HaMikdash, so that we will once again be given the ability of “VeNochal MiPiryah VeNisbah MiTuvah--of eating from its fruit and being satisfied with its goodness”--for by eating its fruits, we will sustain ourselves from theKedushas HaShechinah U’Metaharasah. The land is thus so Kadosh and Tahor, so holy and pure, that upon the return of our exiles, we will ingest great ruchniyus merely by eating. Hakhel Note: Now let us take a step back: The arabs are attacking our people by means of bombs, bloodshed, and hysteria. They are being mevatel our Talmud Torah, and causing a Chilul Hashem in the world by casting our people in a cruel and belligerent light. But they are doing even more; they are taking the land that is Lifnei Hashem, whose essence isHashra’as HaShechinah, and turning it into a terrorist playground, making a mockery of it to the world. For all of this we should cry--even with all the great miracles of Acheinu Bnei Yisrael being saved despite the bombs falling upon them. Let us properly reflect upon all that has happened and fathom its gravity and its intensity. In the Zechus of our doing so, may we be zoche to the nechama of the Torah itself (Devarim 32:43): “Harninu Goyim Amo…Vechipeir Admaso Amo--nations, sing the praise of His people for He will avenge the blood of His servants and He will bring retribution upon his foes; and He will appease His land and His people!” Bekarov Viyameinu--today--Amein!

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Hakhel MIS