This Generation's Transgression of the Three Cardinal Sins

Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz

First 30 seconds there is music.

Parshat Devarim, Geula and Tisha b'Av.

Lashon Hara vs Psychological/Emotional Damage

 

An important area of speech which is considered constructive is that which helps to relieve someone of psychological or emotional damage caused by others. 

It is permissible for anyone who is suffering emotionally or psychologically to seek appropriate help even if this involves discussions of people and events that would otherwise constitute lashon hara. If possible, names should be omitted, and only pertinent information should be shared. 

The Chofetz Chaim speculates that it may be considered constructive for a person troubled by an issue to unburden himself to someone even if only to relieve himself of stress. 

Obviously, this applies to especially difficult situations and not to the daily vicissitudes of life.

CHOFETZ CHAIM A Lesson A Day

You can read all the daily lessons here, see Archives on the right side menu for all previous days. 

5 Av Yarzheit - The Arizal

The Arizal [1534-1572] - Rabbi Isaac Luria was the most famous Kabbalist in the city of Safed, Israel who became known as the "Arizal" or ARI, an acronym for “The G-dly Rabbi Isaac of Blessed Memory.”

The Arizal passed away at the age of 38, and it was only during the last two years of his life that he met his foremost disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital. The Arizal himself never wrote any books, however all his words were faithfully recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital in what is known as Kitvei Ari, the “writings of the Arizal.” The Kitvei Ari is the key to the secrets of the Zohar, and it was the Arizal who formulated the Kabbalah into a comprehensive system. Rabbi Chaim Vital writes in the name of the Arizal that, “It is a Mitzvah to reveal this wisdom.” Until the time of the Arizal, knowledge of Kabbalah was not known outside of the tightly knit circle of the tzaddikim.

14 Facts about the Arizal every Jew should know

The Subtle Rebuke

Art Efraim Gavrilobich

When rebuking the Jewish people here, Moshe did not mention, or even allude to their sins.  Rather, in order to maintain their dignity, he merely mentioned the places where they had sinned [see Rashi].  

This teaches us how careful one should be not to cause distress to another person.  

If, on occasion, it proves necessary to rebuke another - even for serious sins, such as the ones which Moshe indicated here - one should nevertheless do so subtly and gently, while at the same time drawing the person close with warmth and love.

Lubavitcher Rebbe: Sichas Shabbos Parshas Devarim 5725

Be Prepared: Mashiach's Arrival Will Happen in an Instant

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff

Ovadiah the Prophet describes the fall of Edom, Yemen and Hamas before Mashiach

Some Thoughts on the Crisis in Gaza

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Only Through the Strength of Torah

H/t Sherry

One of the conditions during the time immediately before Moshiach is that the pious will be despised. 

HaGaon HaRav Povarsky On Draft Law Crisis: “This Is The Only Thing You Need To Keep In Mind”

HaGaon HaRav Baruch Dov Povarsky. (Photo: Elazer Feinstein)

Rosh Yeshivah Ponevezh HaGaon HaRav Berel Povarsky published a letter of chizuk to bnei yeshivos via the Va’ad Hayeshivos on Wednesday evening.

“To the beloved and dear bnei yeshivos,” the letter begins. “Words are superfluous regarding your preciousness and virtues. All the koach of Klal Yisrael and its successes are only through the koach haTorah.” 

“But unfortunately, the wicked government behaves with complete disregard for this, and out of unrestrained hatred, the hatred of the ignorant and wicked towards Talmidei Chachamim and Bnei Torah, they declare lomdei Torah as criminals and evaders, rachmana litzlan—when the opposite is true, and those who have no part in the Torah are the evaders and destroyers of our existence.” 

The Rosh Yeshivah also called on bnei yeshivos not to be drawn into debates with the public over the draft issue. “It is not our job to negotiate with them and discuss their vanities,” he wrote. “We only need to remember the second bracha in the Shema of Maariv, that the love of Hakadosh Baruch Hu for Yisrael stems from the koach of Ahavas Torah and engaging in it day and night, and to believe in this with complete faith—that His love will never depart from us.” 

“And no one will have the power to cause us pain or harm us, chas v’chalilah, because we’re the loved ones of the One who loves us with a great and everlasting love,” the Rosh Yeshivah concluded.

Source: Yeshiva World

At The Gates of Heaven

Art by Schnette

R' Meir of Premishlan or, as he was fondly known, R' Maer'l, was renowned for his devotion to tzedakah. Any gifts he received from his Chassidim he immediately distributed to the poor. He explained himself in this way:

"Meir'l once went up to Heaven in a dream and observed what happened to people as they came to Heaven after they died.

"The first to appear by the celestial gates was a great Torah scholar, who was not granted immediate entry into Heaven. Instead, he was politely asked to wait outside a while so that the angels could determine whether his studies were pursued with pure intentions or in order to be recognized and praised for his great wisdom.

"The second soul to appear before the gates was that of a tzaddik who devoted his life to leading and advising his flock in their search to serve Hashem. He too was cordially asked to wait outside while his motives were thoroughly investigated.

"The third to arrive was a poor innkeeper who accepted all guests into his inn. If someone had money to pay for his room and board, the innkeeper would graciously accept it. However, if the person were too poor to pay, the host would gladly provide hospitality free of charge.

"The angels immediately decided that he should be ushered into the presence of Hashem without any delay. They had no doubt that his charity was pure because he had not done it for recognition and he helped the poor without expecting any reward in return.

"From this dream Maer'l learnt the enormous importance of tzedakah and decided to become a gabbai tzedakah to distribute Hashem's money among the poor."

Source: Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer