Wake Up Call From HaShem
Shock and horror gripped Jews everywhere, particularly the residents of Bnei Brak, at the deliberate torching of the Oron Hakodesh in the local Shul of Rav Launda Shlita. An arsonist struck the Aron HaKodesh ablaze and the fire consumed four sifrei Torah that were in the Aron HaKodesh, reducing them to ashes, R'l.
Chazal's teaching is well known: whoever sees a sefer Torah being burned must tear his garment twice, once for the parchment and once for the letters. The Shulchan Oruch says that seeing a sefer Torah being burned in one's dream justifies fasting, even on Shabbat. Chazal compare the departure of a person's soul from his body and the spectator's duty to rent his garment, to the burning of a sefer Torah. When a sefer Torah is burned, we ought to feel as though a life has been extinguished.
This is a time for engaging in soul searching. Heaven wants us to examine our deeds -- "Let us look at our ways and investigate" (Eicha 3:40). While we cannot know what Heaven's reckonings are, we are duty-bound to examine fundamentals -- strengthening our Torah study and our decorum in the shul. We must arouse ourselves to repentance in the face of this dreadful calamity. This terrible calamity has not happened for nothing. What does HaShem want to convey to us with this?
HaShem deflects every accusation of the Satan against Klal Yisrael with His attribute of Mercy. But when the Satan mentions their idle chatter and disrespect in the beit k’neset, Hashem has no response, so to speak, for even gentiles conduct themselves with awe and reverence in their places of worship. Hashem thereupon gives the Satan permission to wreak destruction. Mikdash Maat 2:2; Derech Moshe §8; Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chayim 124:12; Yalkut HaUrim.
One who talks in a bet k’neset or bet midrash is an ignorant fool who shows his contempt for Hakodosh Boruch Hu, drives out the Shechina and causes it to depart from Klal Yisrael. He is a transgressor who induces others to sin, causes the galut to be prolonged and prevents prayers from being heard. He has no share in the G-d of Israel. Zohar; Or Tzadikim; Shaarei Teshuva; Hagahos Yesh Nochalin L’avi HaShalah.
Of such a person it is written (Yeshayahu 43:22), “Lo oti karata Ya’akov,” indicating that he is not worthy of his Jewish ancestry. Mishneh Brura 56:1, quoting M’sechet Derech Eretz.
Talking in a bet k’neset or bet midrash causes personal and communal tragedies, including plagues, epidemics, infant and childhood deaths, sickness such as cancer, heart disease and mental illness, car accidents and the like. Mikdash Maat, chap. 2 and passim.
May HKB'H have mercy on Klal Yisroel, on the inhabitants of the city and on the local residents. May He pardon us and cleanse us, that we may merit seeing Torah's honor and the arrival of Moshiach tzidkeinu.
| 0 comments
Chazal's teaching is well known: whoever sees a sefer Torah being burned must tear his garment twice, once for the parchment and once for the letters. The Shulchan Oruch says that seeing a sefer Torah being burned in one's dream justifies fasting, even on Shabbat. Chazal compare the departure of a person's soul from his body and the spectator's duty to rent his garment, to the burning of a sefer Torah. When a sefer Torah is burned, we ought to feel as though a life has been extinguished.
This is a time for engaging in soul searching. Heaven wants us to examine our deeds -- "Let us look at our ways and investigate" (Eicha 3:40). While we cannot know what Heaven's reckonings are, we are duty-bound to examine fundamentals -- strengthening our Torah study and our decorum in the shul. We must arouse ourselves to repentance in the face of this dreadful calamity. This terrible calamity has not happened for nothing. What does HaShem want to convey to us with this?
HaShem deflects every accusation of the Satan against Klal Yisrael with His attribute of Mercy. But when the Satan mentions their idle chatter and disrespect in the beit k’neset, Hashem has no response, so to speak, for even gentiles conduct themselves with awe and reverence in their places of worship. Hashem thereupon gives the Satan permission to wreak destruction. Mikdash Maat 2:2; Derech Moshe §8; Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chayim 124:12; Yalkut HaUrim.
One who talks in a bet k’neset or bet midrash is an ignorant fool who shows his contempt for Hakodosh Boruch Hu, drives out the Shechina and causes it to depart from Klal Yisrael. He is a transgressor who induces others to sin, causes the galut to be prolonged and prevents prayers from being heard. He has no share in the G-d of Israel. Zohar; Or Tzadikim; Shaarei Teshuva; Hagahos Yesh Nochalin L’avi HaShalah.
Of such a person it is written (Yeshayahu 43:22), “Lo oti karata Ya’akov,” indicating that he is not worthy of his Jewish ancestry. Mishneh Brura 56:1, quoting M’sechet Derech Eretz.
Talking in a bet k’neset or bet midrash causes personal and communal tragedies, including plagues, epidemics, infant and childhood deaths, sickness such as cancer, heart disease and mental illness, car accidents and the like. Mikdash Maat, chap. 2 and passim.
May HKB'H have mercy on Klal Yisroel, on the inhabitants of the city and on the local residents. May He pardon us and cleanse us, that we may merit seeing Torah's honor and the arrival of Moshiach tzidkeinu.
Labels: Teshuva
0 Comments: