“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Bereishis
Parshas Bereishis
Mevorchim Chodesh
MarCheshvan
MarCheshvan
27 Tishrei 5779/October 5,
2018
2018
Every year on Shabbos Parshas Bereishis, I would begin my
brilliant sermon (I only gave brilliant sermons) in the following manner:
brilliant sermon (I only gave brilliant sermons) in the following manner:
“We set out on an incredible journey seven weeks ago. It
begin with shofar blowing and reciting l’Dovid on Rosh Chodesh Elul. The week
of Rosh Hashanah we begin selichos, on Rosh Hashanah we heard shofar, recited
the unique tefillos and reaccepted Hashem’s eternal monarchy upon ourselves,
recited tashlich, fasted on Tzom Gedalia, engaged in personal penitence
including teshuva, tefila, and tzedaka, heard inspiring derashos especially on
Shabbos Shuva, performed kapparos, fasted and observed the holy day of Yom
Kippur, built and decorated our Succos, meticulously picked out and purchased
our daled minim, joyously observed Succos with the ushpizin, recited Hallel
each day of the holiday, celebrated at Simchas Bais Hashoeivah, recited the
prayers of Hoshana Rabba and geshem on Shmini Atzeres, and danced energetically
on Simchas Torah.
begin with shofar blowing and reciting l’Dovid on Rosh Chodesh Elul. The week
of Rosh Hashanah we begin selichos, on Rosh Hashanah we heard shofar, recited
the unique tefillos and reaccepted Hashem’s eternal monarchy upon ourselves,
recited tashlich, fasted on Tzom Gedalia, engaged in personal penitence
including teshuva, tefila, and tzedaka, heard inspiring derashos especially on
Shabbos Shuva, performed kapparos, fasted and observed the holy day of Yom
Kippur, built and decorated our Succos, meticulously picked out and purchased
our daled minim, joyously observed Succos with the ushpizin, recited Hallel
each day of the holiday, celebrated at Simchas Bais Hashoeivah, recited the
prayers of Hoshana Rabba and geshem on Shmini Atzeres, and danced energetically
on Simchas Torah.
And now we have truly arrived… at the beginning.”
It is the beginning – not only of our annual Torah reading
which we recommenced with Bereishis – but the beginning of our efforts to
effect lasting changes. It is the beginning of an opportunity to really make
this the year we truly hope it will be.
which we recommenced with Bereishis – but the beginning of our efforts to
effect lasting changes. It is the beginning of an opportunity to really make
this the year we truly hope it will be.
Rav Shalom Schwadron zt’l quipped that our evil inclination
is very wily and patient. He essentially declares “I’ll give you the month of
Elul and I’ll give you the month of Tishrei. I’ll let you have your time to be
inspired. But I’ll bide my time. Just wait until Cheshvan and Kislev, and then
you’ll be mine.”
is very wily and patient. He essentially declares “I’ll give you the month of
Elul and I’ll give you the month of Tishrei. I’ll let you have your time to be
inspired. But I’ll bide my time. Just wait until Cheshvan and Kislev, and then
you’ll be mine.”
Our evil inclination quickly lures us back into the familiar
default mode of habit, so that all of our wonderful intentions for growth and
change are quickly left at the wayside.
default mode of habit, so that all of our wonderful intentions for growth and
change are quickly left at the wayside.
A friend who owns a bakery related that prior to the
Shabbosos after Succos and Pesach, he bakes many extra whole wheat challos.
With the end of Yom Tov’s constant delicious meals, many people commit to lose
weight and eat healthier.
Shabbosos after Succos and Pesach, he bakes many extra whole wheat challos.
With the end of Yom Tov’s constant delicious meals, many people commit to lose
weight and eat healthier.
But, he reported, by the following Shabbos the demand for
whole wheat basically diminishes.
What ends up happening is that most people hold
onto the calories while the spiritual inspiration flitters away. If only we
could get the calories to fade away while we held onto the spiritual
inspiration.
It can be done but only if one is able to
maintain his commitment by writing down his goals, mentally picturing success,
and keeping his eye on the end goal.
whole wheat basically diminishes.
What ends up happening is that most people hold
onto the calories while the spiritual inspiration flitters away. If only we
could get the calories to fade away while we held onto the spiritual
inspiration.
It can be done but only if one is able to
maintain his commitment by writing down his goals, mentally picturing success,
and keeping his eye on the end goal.
Rosh Chodesh each month is a wonderful time for a “check-in”,
to assess whether we are holding true to our goals.
to assess whether we are holding true to our goals.
It is in that sense that we have arrived at the beginning. In
the beginning, G-d declared “Let there be light” and there was light. Our
arduous task is to ensure that the light doesn’t fade.
the beginning, G-d declared “Let there be light” and there was light. Our
arduous task is to ensure that the light doesn’t fade.
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum