In the home of Matzliach, an antique seller who lived in Tunisia, the days before Shavuos were eagerly counted. True, all Jews count the days of S’firas HaOmer, but Matzliach truly felt a longing for Shavuos, the incredible holiday when we received the holy Torah.
All of the Jewish people will enter…the Third Beis HaMikdash…to learn the “new Torah (that) shall emerge from Me.’”
Dovid HaMelech’s eternal state of life pertains to every single Jew who says, “Dovid Melech Yisroel chai v’kayam,” on a monthly basis, at the time of Kiddush Levana. * Through Dovid HaMelech, Dovid Malka Meshicha, one goes out of his own personal exile.
All of existence is derived from Torah. This is why the Torah has the power to control reality and even to change and establish a new reality within the parameters of the world. * About tax payments and how the Rogatchover understood it. * The aguna about whom kosher witnesses testified that her husband died and why the Tzemach Tzedek did not permit her to remarry. * Presented for Shavuos – Z’man Mattan Toraseinu.
A story about the Baal Shem Tov, presented for Shavuos, the day of his histalkus.
What is the connection between the end of VaYikra and the beginning of BaMidbar? The very last verse of VaYikra, which summarizes the idea that the commandments of the Torah were given to Moses and the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. How does this theme tie in with the idea of no substitution and counting?
One Chassid wrote to me that from the time of the histalkus he has been extremely broken, and at times, when he is alone, he breaks down in tears… * What has been accomplished through his tears? Is this the Rebbe’s objective? Did he ask him to cry? * And in the meanwhile, the Rebbe’s shlichus has been neglected!
The Torah is, among other things, the tool with which we unite the spirit and the matter of our lives. The starting point of this quest must be humility: You are a mountain of an individual, but because your special stature comes from Above, you are a small mountain — but a mountain nonetheless.
Yet, on Shavuos the Eibeshter Himself descended with all of His hordes and hosts of angels and declared to us: YOU COUNT! He indicated to us that He desires a dwelling place specifically on this lowly, negligible, insignificant spot in His vast creation. And He wants it to be effected by the conduct of these lowly, unimportant beings – these insignificant specks of humanity. That is to say: you and I!
“I remained alone with the Baal Shem Tov. I bitterly asked him why I had been brought into Gan Eden and not given a place. He said, ‘Because you gave your word and did not keep it.’” * Presented for Shavuos, the yahrtzait of the Baal Shem Tov.
May 28, 2014