The Rov's divrei chizuk from the teleconference last night
As we’re about to enter Shabbos where many of us will be davening at home for the first time, and at a time when we are all looking for extra zechusim, I would like to share an uplifting thought which can add extra strength to our upcoming tefillos this Shabbos and for all the days that we daven at home.
The gemorah in Brachos: Daf ו, after discussing the importance of davening in shul, brings an interesting quote from R’ Ashi. “When a person contemplates fulfilling a mitzvah but was unavoidably prevented from fulfilling it, the Pasuk credits him as if he fulfilled the mitzvah.”
There are many instances when we are davening in Shul but are not fully concentrating or answering all the amens, so we do not get the full zchus of tefillah b’tzibur. However, according to R’ Ashi, this coming Shabbos, when all of us would really want to be davening in shul, we are getting the complete zchus of tefillah b’tzibur. As the Amshinover Rebbe would say in the name of his grandfather, the Vorka Rebbe, “The one thing greater than doing the actual mitzvah is one who contemplates to fulfill a mitzvah but is prevented, because then you get 100 percent schar.” With this concept in mind, even while being at home, it's suggested to keep to the regular zmanim for tefillah, seudos, and avos ubanim. It is also suggested that we have a makom kevua and dress the same way as if we were going to shul.
The Chofetz Chaim asks: If we are not all teachers, then why do we daven every day in Ahava Rabbah to be able to learn and teach?
In reality, we really are all teachers, because our actions are influencing and teaching all those around us, whether our children, family or friends. During these days, with the Shuls and schools closed, this idea takes on greater meeting because we are becoming, our children’s Rabbanim and teachers. It is important to realize the great role we play in keeping a spiritually and physically happy and healthy environment at home.
It’s no coincidence that this Shabbos is Parshas Hachodesh, where we lein how Yidden have the mitzvah of Bircas Hachodesh, how we count according to the lunar calendar and not the solar calendar. Meforshim give insight to this great mitzvah; at the end of the month the moon disappears, its dark and gloomy and it looks like it’s gone, but every month it comes back in its full light and glory. So too, Klal Yisroel goes through many dark and difficult times. However, we are always able to bounce back and shine again.
Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz heard from a survivor of the concentration camps that this was the only mitzvah he was able to keep and it gave him great chizuk: the idea we learn from the mitzvah, that it’s possible to bounce back. In this way we can also understand why the Greeks wanted specifically to take away Chodesh out of all the other mitzvos. The Yevanim themselves understood that this represents the koach of Klal Yisroel and wanted to take away this chizuk that they will always be able to shine forth once again.
Please contact me at (773) 771-6463 with any questions and shaylos can be left in the mailbox at home in an envelope with your phone number on it.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Shabbos, a good chodesh, and a refuah shlaimah b’karov to all those that are not feeling well.
