ืืืจื ืจืืืชืื ื
Shmulevitz, Maran Rosh Hayeshiva Sar haTorah Hagaon Harav Chaim ztโl
ืืืืจ ืืช ืืฉืจ ืขืฉื ื’ ืืืงืื ืืืจืื ืืืจื ืืฆืืชืื ืืืฆืจืื (ืื,ื)
ืืืจ ืืจื ืจืืฉ ืืืฉืืื ืฉื”ืช ืืืืื ืืจื ืืืื ืฉืืืืืืืฅ ืืฆืืื”ื: ืื ืืจืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืฉื ืืฉืื ืืจืข ืฉื ืฆืืืืื ื ืืืืื ืืืชื ืข”ื ืืืืจืช ืืขืฉื ืืจืื, ืืืคื ืืจืื”ื ืื”ืืจืืื” ืืื ืืฆืื ืื”ืช ืืื ืฉื ืฉื ื ืืืื ืืช ืืืืจ ืืืืกืืจ.
ืืจืฉื ืืกืคืจื: “ืืืจื” โ ืืฉืขืช ืืืจืืคืื, “ืืฆืืชืื ืืืฆืจืื” โ ืฉืขืช ืืืืืชืื. ืืืืืจ, ืืข”ืค ืฉืืฉืขืช ืืืืจืืฃ ืืืืช ืืืจื, ืืืฉืขืช ืืืืืื ืฉืื ืืชืื ืฉืืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืืืืฉื ืืืฉืื ื, ืืขืค”ื ืื ืืืขืื ืืืืจ ืืืจืื ืืืงื ืืขื ืฉื ืืืคืืื ืื ืืืืืชื.
ืืืจืื”ื (ืกืืฃ ืืืืืช ืฆืจืขืช) ื”ื: ืืืืจ ืืช ืืฉืจ ืขืฉื ื’ ืืืงืื ืืืจืื ืืื’, ืืจื ืืื ืืืืจ ืืชืืื ื ื ืื ืืืจืข ืืืจืื ืื ืืืื ืฉืืืืจื ืืืืื, ืฉืืืืชื ืืืืื ืืื ื ืืฉื ืื, ืืืืืชื ืขื ืืจืืื, ืืกืืื ื ืขืฆืื ืืืฆืืื, ืืืื ืื ืืืืจื ืืื ืืชื ืืื ืืขืชื ืฉืืฉืืืชื ืืืชื ืืฉืืจ ืื ืืืืื, ืืืื ืื ืืงืคืื ืขื ืืืืจืื ืืืื ืฉื ืืืจ ‘ืืืืืฉ ืืฉื ืขื ืื ืืืื’, ืืืขืค”ื ืืื ื ืขื ืฉื ืืฆืจืขืช, ืง”ื ืืจืฉืขืื ืืืคืฉืื ืืื'”. ืืจื ืฉืืื ืืืขืื ืืืื ืื ืฉืื ืืฆืืงื ืฉืืขืืื, ืืืคืืื ืืฉื ืืืจ ืืื ืืืื ื ืจืขื ืืื ืืชืื ืืขืืช.
ืืชืืจื ืืืืช, ืืืจ ืืืชืื “ืืืฉืืข ื'” (ืืืืืจ ืื,ื), ืื ืจืื ืคืืจืืฉื ืฉืื ืืืืชื ืืจืืื ืืขืืื ืฉืืืืชื ืฉืืืขืช ืืืจืืืฉื ืืืืจื ืืจืื ืขื ืืื ืฉื ืืฉืื ืืจืข, ืืื “ืืืฉืืข ื'” โ ืฉืืงื”ื ืืืื “ืฉืืข” ืืืืจืื ืืฉืื ืืจืข. ืืืข”ืค ืฉืืืื ื”ื ืืง ืืขืืืง ื ืชืืข ืขืืื ืืืื, ืืฉืื ืฉื ืืชื ืื ืืืื ืืืจืืืฉ ืืช ืืคืืืื ืืืงื ืืืืชืจ ืืืฉ”ื “ืืช ืคืฉืขื ืื ื ืืืข”. ืื ืื ื ืืชื ืืืื ืืื ืฉืืืื ืืืืื ืืช ืืขืฉืื.
ืืืจื ืืืืื
Shmulevitz, Maran Rosh Hayeshiva Sar haTorah Hagaon Harav Chaim ztโl
ืืื ืฉืืื ืืฆืืง ืืืื ืื (ืื,ืื)
ืืืื ืืืืช ืืืฉืืื ืืชืงืืคืช ืืืืืช ืืขืืื ืืฉื ืื, ืืืฉืจ ืืจื ืจืืฉ ืืืฉืืื ืืืืื ืืจื ืืืืขืืจ ืืืืืย ืคืื ืงื ืืฆืืื”ื ืฉืื ืืืจ ืืืจืฅ ืืงืืืฉ, ื ืื ืขื ืขืฆืื ืืืกืืจืืช ื ืคืฉ ืืชื ื ืืจื ืจืืฉ ืืืฉืืื ืืืืื ืจืื ืืืื ืฉืืืืืืืฅ ืืฆืืง”ื ืืช ืื ืขืื ื ืืืื ืืืฉืืื ืื ืืืืื.
ืขื ื ืงืืืชื ืฉื ืืจื ืจืืฉ ืืืฉืืื ืืืืื ืืจื ืืืืขืืจ ืืืืืย ืคืื ืงื ืืฆืืื”ื ืืื ืขื ืืื ื ืืืกืคืื ืฉื ืืืฉืืื ืืชื ืืืืื ืจืื ืฉืืื ืฆืื ืฉืคืืจื ืืฆ”ื ืืกืคืจื ืืืืืจ ืฉืืชืืจื:
ืืื ื ืขืืจืื ืื ืคืกืง ืคืืืื ืืืืจืกื. ืืื, ืืืืคื ืืืขื, ืจืืืง ืืื ืืืืคื ืืขื ืื ืื ืืฉืืืื, ืื ืขืชื ืืื ืื ืืก ืขื ืคื ืืืืืืจ. ืืืฉื ืฉืืืกืฃ ืื ื ืืืง ืื, ืื ืืื ืื ื ืืืง ืื ืืืกืฃ, ืืืื ืขื ืืืจ ืืืืืื ืืชื ืขืจ ืืชืคืงืื ืื. ืืืขื ืื ืืื, ืฉืื ืืื ื ืืืจ ืื ืืืื, ืฉืื ืคืขื ืืื ืขืกืืง ืื.
“ืืื ืื ืืงื ืืฆืืืช”, ืืฆืืืช ืืืื ืฉืืื ืืื ืืขื ืืจืื ืฉื ืืกืฃ, ืื ืจืง ืืืฆืืืช ืืืื ืืืื ืืืื ืฉืืฉื ืฉืคืชื ืืื ืืฉืื, ืื ืืกืืคื ืชืืื ืขืืืืชื ืืื ืืฉืื. ืืฉื”ื ืืืฆืืืช ืฉืจืื ืฉื ืืืืช ืื ืื ื ืืืฃ ืืื, ืืฆืืื ืื ืกืื ื ืฉืืชืื ืดืืฉืืืด ืืืืข ืื ืดืฉืื ืืฉืืืด ืืื ืืืืื ืืืจ.
ืืืจื ืืืืืื ืืืืชื ืืืชืืืืช ืืืื ืืคืจืื ืืื ืืคืืืฉ ืงืจืื ืืฉืคืื ืื ืืฆืืื ืืฉืืื. ืืื ืฉืืข ืฉืื ืื ืดืืขื ืืฆืืืด ืืฉืืืืฅ, ืฉืขืดื ืขืืจื ืืืกืคืื ืื ืฉื ืืช ืืืืืื, ื ืืฆื ืืฃ ืืื ืืคืจืื. ืืดื ืืืื ืืืฆืื ืจืณ ืืฆืืง ืฉืืจื ืืื ืืดื ืืืฉืชื ืืจืื ืืช ืืจืช ืจืื ืขืดื ืฉืคืขืื ืจืืืช ืืืกืดื ืืืขื ืืฆืืช ืืฉืจืื ืืื ืืงืื. ืืื ืจืืื ื ืืฆืดื ืืจื ืืืงื ืขืื ืื ืกืคืจื ืืฉืืื ืืช ืฉืืื ืืืื ืื ืืฆืื ืืืืจ ืืชืืืืืช: ืืื ืืืื ืืืืกืืจ ืื ืืื ืืืฉืืื ืขื ืื ืื ืฉืงืืืืชื ืืื ืฉืืืืงืชื.
ืืืขืื ืืืจืืขืื ืฉื ื ืืืืชื ืงืจืื ืืืื. ืืจืื ืฉืืขืชื ืืจืืืชื ืืืืืชื ืืื ื, ืืืื ืืืงื ืืืืื ืืื ืดืืงื ืืกืคืจืื ืืืืกืืจ ืื ืืฉืืืืด, ืื ืืื ืืช ืืื ืคืจืืื, ืืืืืฉืื ืืช ืขืฆืื ืืืืืจ ืืื ืืืขืืื, ืื ื ืจืฉืื ืื ืงืืขื ืืฆืื ืืขืืืช ืืืืืจื ืืจื.
ืืจืื ืืืืชื ืื ืืฉื ืื ืืืืช ืืืจืฉื, ืืืื ืื ืื ืืฉืืื ืืช ืืฉืขืช ืืืจืื, ืืืฉืืจื ืืืืฉืื ืชืืืื ืืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืืกืืจ ืืื ืืืฉืืื ืขื ืืกืคื ืืฆืืืืจ, ืืืจ ืื ืืื ืืืจ ืดืืืืืฉ ืืืืืืืด, ืืืืืฉื ืชืืจื ืืืืจืดื ืืกืืืฆืณืื ืืืขืื ืขื ืื ืฉืืื ืืื ืืืืฆื ื ืืื ืืขืื ืืฉืฉ ืฉื ืืช ืขืืืืชื. ืืื ืืืื ืฉืืืจื ืฉืืืืืจ ืชืคืงืืื ืืืขืืื, ืื ืืื ื ืืืจ ืื ืฉืขืกืง ืื ืคืขื ืืืกืคืื, ืื ืืขืืื ืื ื ืืืง ืืื, ืืื ื ืงื ืืคืืื. ืงืื ืื ืืืืืืื ืืืืืื ืืงืืช ืืืืื ืืื ื.
ืืฉืืืื ืืืื
Shpitzer, Harav Hagaon Meir Tzvi Shlita
ืื ืชืฆื
ืื ืืืืฉ ืืืจ ืฉืืืช ืืฉื
ืืขืฉื ืืคืืจืกืืช ืืื ืฉืืื ืืฆื ืืงื ื ืืื ืืจืฆื ืืฆืืืข, ืืข’ ืื ืืช ืคืชืื ืงืค”ื ืืืื ื ืืืื ืฉืืชืื ืืืชืืจ ืืฉืื ืฉืืืืื ืืฉืื ืฆืขืจ, ืืื ืืืชืจ ืืืืืืจ ืืฉืืช ื ’ ืข”ื, (ืืืืื ืืืจ”ื ืงื ”ื), ืืื ืืืฉื ืืื ืฆืขืจ ืืืืืืจ ืืชืืก’ ืฉื. (ืืข’ ืื ื”ืฉ ื”ื ืค”ื ื’).
ืืื ืืืืชื ืืขืฉื ืข’ ืืืจื ืืืื ื”ื ืื”ื ืกื’ ืก”ื, ืืืืจ”ื ืฉืืง ืงืข”ื, ืืฉื”ื ืืืื”ืง ื”ื ืจ”ื ืฉืื ืืชืืจื ืื”ื.
(ืืข’ ืงืืืฅ ืชืฉืืืืช ืืืจื”ืฉ ื”ื ืค”ื ืืขืื ืื ืจืง ืืขื ืื ืืจืื ื ืืชืืจื ืชืืก’. ืืข”ืข ืงืืืฅ ืชืฉืืืืช ื”ื ืงื”ื).
ืืข’ ืฉื”ืช ืืืจ”ื ืฉืืืืฃ ื ”ื ืืืขืื ืื ืืืืช ืืื ืืื ืืืฉื ืืื ืืขืืงืจ ืืื ืฉืื ืืื ื ืจืื ืืืงื ืืื ืขื ืื ืฉื ืืคืื. (ืืืฉ ืืืืกืืฃ ืืคื ืืืืืจ ืืืจ”ื ืฉืืง ืื”ื, ืืืื ืฆืขืจ “ืืชืืจ” ืืืืกืืจ, ืืื ืืื ืืกืจื ืชืืจื ืืื”ื ืฉืืืืื ืืืืจ ืืืจ, ื”ื ืื ืืืืื ืืืืช ืืืืจ ืื, ืืื ืืขืื ืืื ืืฉืื ืืืฉื ืืฆืขืจ, ืืื ืื ืืฆืื ื ืืืชืจ).
ืืข”ืฉ ืืืจื ืืืื ืฉืืชื ืขืื ืืืืื ืฉืืฉ ืขืฆื ืฉืืฆืืข ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืชืืจ ืืฆืืืข ืฉืืืจ ืืืืช ืืืฉื. (ืืืชื ืขืื, ืื ืืฉ ืขืฆื ืืืขืืืจ ืื ืืงื ื ืืื ืฉืขืืฉืื ืืืฉืื ื. ืืืคื ืืฆ”ืฆ ืืื ืขืฆื ืืื).
ืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจื
Finkel, Maran Hamashgiach Hagaon Harav Chaim Zev ztโl
ืืืจ ืืืชืื: ืืจืฉื ืืณ ืืืืฆืื ืงืจืืืื ืืืืืชื ืงืจืื. ืืคืืจืฉื ืืืดื: ืืื ืขืฉืจื ืืืื ืฉืืื ืจืดื ืืืืืืดืค (ืจืดื ืื).
ืืืืื ืืื ืงืจืื ืืงืืดื ืืืฆืื ืืื ืืืจืฉ. ืจืื ืฉื ืืกื ืืื ืื ื ื ืืฉืืช ืืืืื ืืืื; ืื ืขืช ืืืืง ืืืื ืืื, ืืื ืืชืขืืจืจ ืื ืืื ืืืจืืฉ ืืช ืืณ ืืงืจืื ืขืชื ืืืื. ืขืช ืจืฆืื ืืื. ืืืขืฆื ืฉืืจืจืช ืืืืจื ืื ืฉื ืคืืืก ืืืชืงืจืืืช ืืื ืืืฉ ืืืื, ืืื ืฉืืืจื: ืืืื โ ื ืืืจืืงืื ืื ื ืืืืื ืืืืื ืื (ืืืืืจืื ืืืื ืืฉื ืืฉื ืืืจืฉ). ืขืช ืืืืื ืืื ืืฉืจืื ืืืืืื ืฉืืฉืืื.
ืืืืืืจื ืืงืฉื, ืืืจื ืืืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืฉืคื ืืื, ืืขืช ืืืืช ืชืืืฉืจ ืืืืื ืืืชืงืจืืืช ืืชืืจื?
ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืืื ื ืฉื ืืงืืดื ืืืืืื ื ืจืืืชืื ื: ืดืจืณ ืื ืื ื ืืฉื ืจืณ ืจืืืื ืืืจ: ืืืืื ืืงืจื ืืชืื ืื ืืคืฉืจ ืืืืืจื, ืื ืืืฉ ืืณ ืฉืืคื ืืื ืืชืื ืืื, ืืื ืื ืืืฉ ืืณ ื ืฉืคื. ืืื ืฉืืื ืืืจ ืื ืื ืืื ืืืื ืฆืืืืช ืื ืืืจื ืจืข ืื ืืชื ืขืืื (ืืืงืืดืฉ ืชืืืื ืจืื ืชืจืฆื).
ืืืืืจ: ืขืฆื ืืืฉืคื ืืืื ืืืชืงืจืืืช ืืืืื ืื ืคืืื ืืื ืืงืืดื ืืืื ืืขืืืืื ืืคื ืื ืืืื, ืขื ืืื ืื ืฉืืืืื ืืงืืดื ืดื ืฉืคืืด ืขืืื. ืืืื ืขืืื ืืืฉืคื ืฉืขืช ืืืฉืจ ืืื, ืขืืื ืขืืจืจ ืื ืืื ืืืืืจ: ืืจืฉื ืืณ ืืืืฆืื ืงืจืืืื ืืืืืชื ืงืจืื!
ืืืขืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืื ืืืงื: ืื ืขื ืื ื ืฉืคื ืืงืืดื ืืืืืื ืืื ืขื ื ืฉืคืืื, ืขื ืฉืื ืดืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจืืด (ืชืืืื ืฆื). ืืืขืืืช ืืืชืื ืดืืื ืฆืจืชื ืื ืฆืจืด (ืืฉืขืืณ ืกื). ืืื ืกืืช ืืืชืงืจืืืช ืืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืขืฉืจืช ืืื ืชืฉืืื, ืฉืืจื ืืืืื ืขืช ืฆืจื ืืฆืขืจ ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืื.
ืืืฃ ืจืฉืขืื ืืฉืจืืืื ืืฆืจื, ืืงืืดื ืืืฆืจ ืขืืื. ืืื ืฉืฉื ืื ื ืดืื ืชืืื ื ืืืชื ืขื ืืขืฅ ืื ืงืืจ ืชืงืืจื ื ืื ืงืืืช ืืืงืื ืชืืื ืืืืณ ืืืืณ, ืืืจ ืจืณ ืืืืจ: ืืฉืขื ืฉืืื ืืฆืืขืจ ืฉืืื ื ืื ืืฉืื ืืืืจืช: ืงืื ื ืืจืืฉื! ืงืื ื ืืืจืืขื! (ืคืืจืฉืดื, ืืื ืฉืืืื ืฉืืืข ืืขืืฃ ืืืืจ, ืจืืฉื ืืื ืขืื ืืืจืืขื ืืื ืขืื), ืื ืื ืืืงืื ืืฆืืขืจ ืขื ืืื ืฉื ืจืฉืขืื ืฉื ืฉืคื, ืงืดื ืขื ืืื ืฉื ืฆืืืงืืืด (ืกื ืืืจืื ืื).
ืื ืืจืื ืขื ืืืื ืืืขืช ืืฉืชืชืคืืช ืืฉืืื ื ืืฆืขืจื ืฉื ืืจืฉืข. ืฉืื ืืื ืฉื ืคืฉื ืฉื ืืจืฉืข ืืชืืืืช ืืืจืื ืืฉืจื ืืืชื ืื ืขื ืืขืฅ, ืฉืืื ื ืื ืืื ืืฉืชืคืช ืขืฆืื ืขืื ืืงืืืืช: ืงืื ื ืืจืืฉื! ืจืืฉื ืืื ืขืื!
ืืืจื ืืืดื: ืขืฉืจ ืืจืืืืช ืืจื ืืงืืดื ืขื ืืืจืฅ. ืืืช ืืื ืขืื ืืืืช ืืืืจ ืืคืืื ืืืืช ืืกืืื ืืืืช ืืกื ื, ืืืืช ืืืฆืจืื ืืืืช ืืกืื ื ืืืืช ืื ืงืจืช ืืฆืืจ ืืฉืชืื ืืืื ืืืขื ืืืืช ืืขืชืื ืืืืด (ืืืงืืดืฉ ืืจืืฉืืช ืจืื ืื) ืืดืืจืืืืด ืืฉืืข ืืชืงืจืืืช ืืืืื ืืฆื ืืงืืดื ืืืคื ืืืื.
ืืื ื ืื ืื ื ืืชื ืืืืื ืืขื ืืดืืจืืืืด ืฉืืืชื ืืกื ื, ืื ื ืืื ืืงืืดื ืืืฉื ืืืฉืจื ืขื ืืืืืช ืืฉืจืื ืื ืืขื ืืจืืืช ืืงืืดื ืขื ืืจ ืกืื ื ืืชืช ืชืืจื ืืขืื, ืื ืื ืขื ืื ืดืืจืืืืด ืฉืืจื ืืงืืดื ืืื ืฉื ืกืืื ืืจืขืื ืืืืืื ืืืณ ืืื.
ืืื ืืื ืฉืืืจื ื, ืฉืืฃ ืืจืฉืขืื ืืืืจืื ืืื ื ืชืงืจื ืืงืืดื ืืขืช ืฆืจืชื.
ืืืืจื ืืืดื, “ืืจืื ื ื” – ืืืจ ืจืณ ืืื ืืจ ืืื ื: ืืืื ืฉืคืชื ืืื ืืงืืดื ืคืชื ืฉื ืชืฉืืื (ืืืงืืดืฉ ืืจืืฉืืช ืจืื ืคื), ืืคื ื ืงืืฆื ืื ืืจื ืืืคืืข ืขืืืื ืืงืืดื ืืืจืื ืงืืฉื, ื ืชืงืจื ืืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืืจืื ืขืืืื ืืืืจ ืคื ืื, ืคืชื ืืื ืืงืืดื ืคืชื ืืฆืื ืคืชื ืฉื ืชืฉืืื.
ืืืืงืื ืืืจ ืืืจื: ืืืณ ืืืืืจ ืขื ืกืืื ืืขื ืขืืืจื ืืคืจืืช ืืืฉ ืืืืณ ืื ืขืฉื ืชืฉืืื, ืืจื ืืืจ, ืืื ืืื, ืืคืจืืช ืืืฉ (ืืืืืชื ืฉืืจื ื).
ืขื ืืจืืข ืืืืจืื ืืืชืื ืืื ืืืืืื ืืงืืดื ืืืจืืขืืช ืคืชืืืืช ืืืืื ืืงืืื ืืืืื, ืืืฆืื ืืงืืดื ืขืฆืื ืืืื ืืื ืฉืืืจืฉืืื, – ื ืชืงืจื ืืืืื, ืืขื ืืช ืืื ืืฉืืงืจืืืื.
ืืื ืชืื ื ืืขืืืง ืืฉืืขืืชื ืฉื ืืดืืจืืืืด ืืกืืื. ืืื ืื ืืืืื ืืืฆืขืจ ืขื ืจืฉืขืื ืืื ืฉืื ืืฉืคื ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืืืื, ืืื ืื ืืืชืงืจืืืช ืืฉ ืื ืืดืืจืืืืด ืื ืืืื ืช ืดืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจืืด. ืืื ืืื ืืืืฉืืช ืืืืฉืื ืฉื ืื ืฉื ืกืืื ืืื ืืื ืฉืืื ืื ืืืืจ ืืฉืชื ืืืื ืืืืจ ืืืืช. ืืื ืื ืืก ืืืงืื ืขื ืืื ืฉืื ืืฉืคื, ืืื ืืฆืืขืจ ืขื ืืื ืฉื ืฉืคื, ืืื ืขื ืจืฉืขืื ืื ืขื ืฆืืืงืื ืขื ืืืช ืืื ืืืื.
ืืืจื ืืืดื: ืืืืืจ ืืณ ืืื ืื ืชืฆืจ ืืช ืืืื ืืื ืชืชืืจ ืื ืืืืื, ืืื ืื ืขืื ืขื ืืขืชื ืฉื ืืฉื ืืขืฉืืช ืืืืื ืฉืื ืืจืฉืืช? ืืื ื ืฉื ืืฉื ืงืดื ืืขืฆืื, ืืืจ: ืืื ืืืื ืื ืฉืื ืืื ืืื ืืขืืืจ ืืช ืืืื, ืืืจื ืชืืจื: ืฆืจืืจ ืืช ืืืืื ืื ืืืืืชื ืืืชื, ืืืืืื ืขืฆืื ืื ืื ืฉืื (ืืดืง ืื).
ืืืืืจ: ืืืื ืฉื ืฆืืื ืขื ืื, ืืืืื ืืฉื ืจืืื ื – ืขืื ืืณ ืื ืืื ืืืชื – ืืขืจืื ืืืืื ื ืื ืืืื. ืื ืืืฆื? ืืื ืฉืงืดื ืืื ืืืื ืฉืืชืืจื ื ืืจืฉืช ืื, ืืืดื ืื ืขื ืืืืื ืื ืฉืกืืืขื ืืื ืืืื ืืืืืื ืืช ืืฉืจืื, ืฆืื ืืณ ืฆืจืืจ ืืช ืืืืื ืื ืืืืืชื ืืืชื ืื ืฆืืจืจืื ืื ืืื ืื ืืืืื ืืฉืจ ื ืืื ืืื ืขื ืืืจ ืคืขืืจ ืืืืณ (ืืืืืจ ืื). ืดืฆืจืืจืด ืืฉืืข ืืฉื ืื ืืืืืื ืืคืืจืฉืดื, ืืืฆืื ื ืฉื ืฆืืื ืืฉืจืื ืืืืื ืืื ืืืชืจ ืืจืื ืืืืื ืืืฉืจ ืื ืืืืืืืช ืฉื ืฆืืื ืขืืืื, ืฉืื ืืืจื: ืืขืคืดื ืฉืืชืืชื: ืื ืชืงืจื ืื ืขืืจ ืืืืื ืขืืื ืืงืจืืช ืืืื ืืฉืืื โ ืืืื ืื ืชืขืฉื ืื! ืื ืชืืจืืฉ ืฉืืืื ืืืืืชื! (ืืืดืจ ืื).
ืืขืื ืืืจื: ืฆืจืืจ ืืช ืืืืื ืื, ืืคื ืฉืืชืืชื ืื ืชืฆืืจ ืื ืขืืจ ืืืื ืจืืื ืืืืื ืขืืื ืืชืคืฉื ืื ืชืฉืืืช ืืช ืขืฆื ืืื’, ืืืื ืื ืชืขืฉื ืื! ืืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืชืืื! (ืฉื).
ืืื ืฆื ืืืืืช ืืจืื ืืื ืจืืืื. ืืืื ืืืืื ืื ืืื ื ืจืืืื ืืืจืืฉืช ืฉืืื, ืืื ืขื ืืฆืืื ืฉืืชืืื ืืื ืืืชืืฉื, ืืื ื ืชืขื ืื ืืื. ืืื ืืืช ืืื ืขืืืื ืขื ืืืจ ืคืขืืจ ืืื’.
ืืื ืขื ืื ืืคืืื ืืขืืฉื ืื ืืื ืื ืืฆื ืืงืฆืฃ, ืขื ืืืืืืืื ืขืฆืื ืขื ืืืช ืืื ืืืื. ืงืดื ืื ืืจืฉ ืืฉื. ืืืื ื ืืื ืืืช, ืืื ืืื ื ืืืจ ืืงืืดื ืืืืจ ืืื ืืื ืืืืฉืข ื ืืืื, ืดืื ืืืจ ืืณ ืืืืณ ืื ืชื ืืช ืืืื ืืืืื ืืืืืชื ืื ืขืืจ ืืืฆืจ ืืื ืขืืจ ืืืืืจ! ืืื ืขืฅ ืืื ืชืคืืื ืืืืณ ืดืืืจื ืื (ืืืืืฉืข), ืืชืืจื ืืืจื ืื ืชืฉืืืช ืืช ืขืฆื, ืืืชื ืืืืจ ืื? ืืืจ ืืื: ืขื ืื ืืืืืืช ืฆืื ืืืจ ืื, ืืื ืืืื ืื ืงืื ืืืืืื ืืื, ืฉื ืืณ ืื ืงื ืืืช ืืขืื ื ืืณ ืื ืชื ืืช ืืืื ืืืืื, ืื ืืืจ: ืื ืชืืจืืฉ ืฉืืืื ืืืืืชื – ืืื ืืืื ืืช ืืืืืช (ืฉื).
ืืืื, ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืืืืื! ืืืืจืื ืืืชืจืื ืืืืื, ืืื ืงืดื, ืฉืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืื ืดื ืงืืช ื'” (ืืืืืจ ืื) ืฉืื ืืฉืืืจื ืืื ืฉืจืื ืืคืืื ืื ืงืืช ืขืืืง ืื ืื ืงืืช ืฉืืขื ืขืืื (ืจืืืดื ืฉื). ืืืืืื ืืืืื ืื ืื ืฉืื ืฉืืืืืช ืืฆืื ืืื.
ืื ืื ืื ืืืจ ืื ืืงืืดื ืืืฉื: ืดืื ืืฉืขืืชื ืขื ืืขืชื ืขืืชื ืขื ืืขืชื, ืฉืชื ืคืจืืืืช ืืืืืช ืืฉ ืื ืืืืฆืื ืืื, ืจืืช ืืืืืืื ืื ืขืื ืืขืืื ืืชืด (ืืดืง ืื).
ืืืจ ืื ืืฉืืขืฆืื ืืืืืฉ ืจื ืืื, ืฉืชื ืคืจืืืืช ืืืืืช ืฉืขืชืืืืช ืืฆืืช ืืืืจ ืฉื ืื ืจืืืช, ืืฆืืืืช ืืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืื ืฉืืื, ืืืื ืืืืื ืฉืืื ืื ืืืืช ืงืืื ืืขืืื.
ืืขืื ืคืชืจื ืืืดื ืคืชืจืื ืืืคืื ืืขื ืื. ืืื ืืืจื: ืื ืชืฆืจ ืืช ืืืื, ืืฉื ืืืื ืฉืืืื ืขื ืืืืฉื ืฉืืชื ืื ืืืื ืืืืจื, ืืื ืืืขื ืืืืืฉ ืฉืื ื ืืื ืืืื ืืืืืืง ืืช ืืืืืฉ, ืืื ืืืืื ืืชืคืฉ ืืช ืืืื ืืืืจ ืื: ืชื ืื ืื ืฉืืชื ืืืื ืื! ืืืจ ืื ืืืื: ืื ืื ืฆืขืจื ืฉื ืืื ืืืืฉื ืืื ืืืช ืืืืกืคืช ืฆืจื ืขื ืฆืจืชื, ืื ืืืจ ืื ืืงืืดื ืืืฉื: ืืชืืื ืืงืื ืืืืฉื, ืฉื ืืณ ืื ืืฉ ืืฆืื ืืืฉืืื ืืืชื ืืืื ืืืืกืืฃ ืฆืจื ืขื ืฆืจืชื ืื ืชืฆืจ ืืช ืืืื! (ืืืงืืดืฉ ืืืจืื ืจืื ืชืชื).
ืืืืืจ, ืืขืฆื ืฆืจืื ืืื ืืืืืช ื ืืชื ืืืจ ืืื ื ืฉื ืืืื ืืืืืืช ืืจืื. ืืืชื ื ืงืื – ื ืงืืช ืืณ – ืฉื ืขืฉืชื ืืืืื ืืืชื ืฆืจืืื ืืืขืฉืืช ืืคืืื ืขื ืจืืฉ ืืืื. ืืืื ื ืขืชืืืื ืืฉืจืื ืฉืืืชืจ ืืื ืืขืฉืืช ืฉืคืืื ืืืืื, ืื ืื ืชืืื ืจืง ืืืื ืืื (ืชืืกืณ ืืดืง ืื), ืื ืขืชื ืืขืืื ืฉืจืืืื ืืฆืจื – ืื ืืืื ืืื ืืฉ – ืืขืช ืืืืช ืืื ืืงืืดื ืื ืื ืืฉืื ืคื ืื ืืืืกืืฃ ืฆืจื ืขื ืฆืจืชื, ืื ืชืฆืจ! ืืืืื ืช ืดืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจืืด.
ื ืืืจ ืืชืืจื: ืืฉื ืืณ ืืืงืื ืืช ืฉืืืชื ืืจืืื ืืฉื ืืงืืฆื ืืื ืืขืืื ืืฉืจ ืืคืืฆื ืืณ ืืืงืื ืฉืื (ืืืจืื ื). ืคืืจืฉืดื: ืดืืฉื ืืณ ืืืงืื ืืช ืฉืืืชืืด – ืืื ืื ืืืชืื ืดืืืฉืื ืืช ืฉืืืชืืด. ืจืืืชืื ื ืืืื ืืืื ืืืืืื ืฉืืฉืืื ื ืฉืจืืื ืขื ืืฉืจืื ืืฆืจืช ืืืืชื, ืืืฉื ืืืืื ืืืชืื ืืืืื ืืขืฆืื ืฉืืื ืืฉืื ืขืืื. ืืขืื ืืฉ ืืคืจืฉ: ืฉืืืื ืืื ืงืืืฅ ืืืืืช ืืืงืืฉื ืืืืื ืืื ืขืฆืื ืฆืจืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืืืื ืืืฉ ืืืฉ ืืืฉ ืืืงืืื, ืืขื ืื ืฉื ืืืจ: ืดืืืชื ืชืืงืื ืืืื ืื ื ืืฉืจืืืด, ืืืฃ ืื ืืืืช ืฉืืจ ืืืืืืช ืืฆืื ื ืื, ืดืืฉืืชื ืืช ืฉืืืช ืืฆืจืืืด. ืขืืดื.
ืืืืืจ: ืื ืืืฉืจืื ืืืื ืืฉืื ื ืืืืื ืืืืืช ืืืฆืจื ืืขืื ืืงืืดื ืขื ืขืฆืื ืืืืื ืื ืืื ื ืืื ืขืืื, ืืืชืื ืืฉื ืืณ ืืืงืื, ืืืฉืื ืื ื ืืืจ ืืื ‘ืืฉื’. ืืื ืืืฉืจืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืืื ืฉืืชืงืืฆืื ืืืืืชืืื ืขื ืฉืืืืื ืดืืื ืขืฆืื ืืืื ืืืืื ืืืฉ ืืืฉ ืืืฉ ืืืงืืืืด. ืืื ืืฃ ืืืืืืช ืฉืืจ ืืืืืช ืื, ืฉืื ืืืจ ืืืืงืื ืดืืฉืืชื ืืช ืฉืืืช ืืฆืจืืืด (ืืืืงืื ืื). ืืืจืืื ืืืืจ ืดืืฉืืชื ืฉืืืช ืืืืืด (ืืจืืืณ ืื). ืืืชื ืดืืืืืด ืื ืงืื ืืืืืื ืฉืืื ืืืืืื ืืช ืืฉืจืื, ืื ืืื ืืงืื ืขืืฉืื ืืื ืืฆืจื ืืืฉืืื, ืืืืื ืฉืื, ืืงืืดื ืืืืืื ืขืื ืืฆืจื ืขื ืฉืืฉืขื ืฉืืืืื ืืืฉืื ืืช ืฉืืืชื, ืืขืื ืขื ืขืฆืื ืืืืื ื ืืื ืขืืื.
ืืื ืืจืฉืขื ืืืืืืช ื ืชืงืืื ืดืืื ืฆืจืชื ืื ืฆืจืด ืืดืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจืืด, ืืฉืจืื ืื ืืืจ ืืื ืดืืขืื ืืืื ืฆืืืงืืืด ืืฉืจืื ืขื ืงืจืืื ืขื ืืืช ืืื ืืืื.
ืืื ืืืื ื ืืืืฃ ืืื ืคืฉ ืืืื ื ืืืจ ืดืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจืืด, ืืื ืืฃ ืืืื ื ืืืื ืืช ืื, ืืืคืืณ ืืืื ืคืจืืื. ืืื ืืืจื ืืืดื: ืดืฆืจืื ืฉืืืื ืืขืื ืืื ืื ื ืืืืื ืืืื ืืขืฆืื ืืืืืื ืื ื ืืืืื ืืืื ืืขืฆืื, ืืืืืื ืืืงืืดื ืื ืื ืื, ืฉืื ืืืจ ืืืืฉืคื ืืืืื ืื; ืดืื ืื ืืืื ืชืฉืคืืื ืื ืืืณืด, ืืดืจ ืืื ืืจ ืื ืื ื: ืื ืืจืื, ืืืืื ืืงืจื ืืชืื ืื ืืคืฉืจ ืืืืืจื, ืืฉืจ ืืื ืื ืืืืจืื, ืืื ืืืจ ืืงืืดื ืืืืื ืื: ืืื ื ืืืืื ืืืื ืืขืฆืืื ืืืืื ืืืชื ืืชื ืื ืื (ืชื ืืืณ ืฉืืคืืื ื).
ืื ืืจืื ืืืืืืชื ืฉื ืืื ืืคื ื ืืืจืื ืืชืณ, ืขื ืฉืืขืืื ืืคื ื ืืฉืืคื ืืืื ืฉื ืื ืืื ืืขืื ืขืืื ืืงืืดื ืืืืื ื ืืืื ืขืื, ืืืืืจ ืืืืื ืื: ืืฉืืจื ืืืืืจื! ืืืจื ืืฉืืื ืขื ืืืื! ืืืชื ืืชื ืื ืื! ืดืืืืื ืืงืจื ืืชืื ืื ืืคืฉืจ ืืืืืจืืด, ืืืืืจ: ืืืื ืงืืข ืืงืืดื ืื ืืชืืจืชื, ืื ืืื ืืขืื ืขื ืจืืื ืืืืจืื ืืืื.
ืื ืืืื ื ืืืื ืืช ืื, ืืืื ื ืืืคืื ืื ืคืฉืืช ืื ืื ืฉืื. ืืงืดื ืื ืื ื ืฉื ืงืดื ืืืื ื ืฉื ืืืื ื. ืืื ืฉืชืืื ืฆืจืชื ืฉื ืืื ืชืืื ืืชืงืจืืืช ืืงืืดื ืืืื. ืืื ืื ืืืจื: ืื ืืืฉ ืืณ ืฉืืคื ืืื ืืชืื ืืื, ืืื ืื ืืืฉ ืืณ ื ืฉืคื. ืดืืื ืฉืืื ืืืจ ืื ืื ืืื ืืืื ืฆืืืืช ืื ืืืจื ืจืข ืื ืืชื ืขืืืืด. ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืขืดื ืืชืืืจื ืืคืืณ ืืขืืงื ืฉื ืืืื ื, ืื ืื ืดืฉืืด ืดืืชื ืขืืืืด. ืื ืื ืืื ืื ืื ืฆืืืืช, ืดืืชื ืขืืืืด, ืดืขืื ืื ืื ืืฆืจืืด. ืื ืดืืชื ืขืืืืด ืืจื ืืืจ ืืืื ืกืืฃ ืฉืืจืจ ืฉื ืืชืืืื ืืื ืืฆืืืืช: ืืณ ืืืจื ืืืฉืขื ืืื ืืืจื! ืืณ ืืขืื ืืื ืืื ืืคืื!
ืืื ืืงืืดื ืขืื ื ืืื ืฆืจื ืืฆืืงื, ืืืฉืืข ืืืื ืชืืื ื ืคืฉื ื ืืชืืื ืืืจื ืืชืงืื.
ืื ืืืงืื ืืืื ืฉื ืชืื ืจืขืื! ืคืื ืืคื ื ืืณ ืืืืจ ืืืื ื ืืขืืื ืืืืืื ืืืืชืื ืืคืชื ืืชืฉืืื ืฉืคืชื ืืคื ืื ื ืืจืืืื. ืืืืื ืื ื ืืืืืช ืืกืืื, ืื ื ืืื ืืขืืืจื ืฉืื ืืกื ืขื ื ืคืฉืืชื ืืื ื ืืฆืื ืืช ืฉืขืช ืืืืฉืจ ืืืืืช ืืืงืื ืงืจืื ืืื.
ืืื – ืดืืจืฉื ืืณ ืืืืฆืื ืงืจืืืื ืืืืืชื ืงืจืืืด!
ืืื ืืืชื ืืืืจ: ืดืืื ืืื ืืื ื ื ืฉื ืืงืืืดื ืืกืืจ ืขืืืื ืืืืืชื ืืฉืืื ืชื ืืกืืจืช ืขืืืื, ืืืชืืจ ืื: ืืื ืืืืฉ ืืชืืจ ืขืฆืื ืืืืช ืืืกืืจืื, ืืคืืจืงื ื ืืืื ืืืืื ืชืฉืืื ืืืืณ ืืืื ืชืืื ืืืืืืื ืืืืณ, ืืืคื ืื ืืื – ืืืจื ืื ืืื ืืืฉ ืืืชืขืจ ืื ืืืืืืื (ืชืงืื ื ืืืจ ื). ืขืืดื.
ืืื ืืื ืืื ื ืืื ืฉืืงืืดื ืืกืืจ ืืชื ืืืืืช ืืืฉืืื ื ืืกืืจื ืขืืื, ืื ืืืจ ืื: ืืื ืืืืฉ ืืชืืจ ืขืฆืื ืืืืช ืืืกืืจืื. ืืืืืืชื, ืฉืืื ืืชืฉืืื, ืืื ื ืชืื ื ืืืื. ืืืคื ืื ืืื ืืืจื ืื ืืื ืืืฉ ืืชืขืืจืจ ืืชืืื.
ืืืื ืืื ื ืืื ืฉืืฉืืื ื ืืชื ืดืฉืืื ืชื ืืืืืชืืด ืืืฆืคื ืฉืืฉืืื ืืช ืฉืืืชื ืืืืืืื, ืืืื ืืืฉ ืฉื ืขื ืื. ืดืืคืืจืงื ื ืืืื ืืืืื ืชืฉืืืืด – ืืืืืช ืืฉืืื ื ืขืดื ืืชืฉืืื.
ืืขืื ืืืืื ื ืืืจ ืื, ืืืืืจื ืืดื: ืดืืชืื ืคืื ืืฉืืื ื ืคืฉื ืืงืจื ืื ืืืืณ ืืืจ ืืงืืดื: ืื ืืขืืกืง ืืชืืจื ืืืืืืืืช ืืกืืื ืืืชืคืื ืขื ืืฆืืืจ ืืขืื ืื ื ืขืืื ืืืืื ืคืืื ื ืื ืืืื ื ืืืื ืืืืืช ืืขืืื (ืืจืืืช ื).
ืคืืจืฉืดื: ืดืคืื ืืฉืืื – ืื ืฉืขืกืง ืืืืจื ืฉืืื ืืืืื ื ืชืืจื, ืืืชืืณ ืดืืื ื ืชืืืืชืื ืฉืืืืด, ืืื ืืืืืืช ืืกืืื ื ืื ืฉืืื ืืื, ืฉืืชืื ืฉืืืื ืืกื ืืืืคื ืืืืจื ืืื ืืืืจ ืฉืืื ืืืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืฉืืืืด ืขืืดื.
ืืืืชืคืื ืขื ืืฆืืืจ ื ืืื ืืกืืคืืณ ืืงืจื ืดืื ืืจืืื ืืื ืขืืืืด, ืืืื ืฉืืืจื ืืืขืื (ืฉื) ืดืืืืชื ืขืช ืจืฆืื, ืืฉืขื ืฉืืฆืืืจ ืืชืคืืืื ืืืืณ, ืืืชืื ืดืคืื ืืฉืืื ื ืคืฉื ืืงืจื ืื ืื ืืจืืื ืืื ืขืืืืด.
ืื ืืชืืืฆืืช ืืืชืืืงืืช ืืชืืจื ืืืชืคืืื ืืืืืืืืช ืืกืืื ืืงืจืืช ืืช ืืฉืืื ืืืืืืจื ืืช ืืื. ืืืืืื ืฉื ืืฉืืื ืคืืืื ืืืืืื ืืช ืืฉืืื ื ืืื ืื ืื ืืืืืืช.
ืืืื ืฉืขื ืื, ืงืดื ืืื ืืืืฉ ืืืื ืืขืฉืจืช ืืื ืชืฉืืื, ืดืืืืืชื ืงืจืืืด, ืืืื ืฉืืงืืดื ืคืืชื ืื ื ืฉืขืจื ืชืฉืืื, ืดืืืคื ืื ืืืืด – ืื ืืฆื ืืืฉ ืืฉืจ ืจืื ืื ืืื ืืืชืขืืจืจ ืืืขืืจืจ ืืืจืื ืืชืืจื ืืชืคืืื ืืืืืืืืช ืืกืืื.
ืืขืืฉื ืื, ืื ืื ืืืื ืฉืืื ืืืืื ืืช ืืจืืื ืืืืืช ืืจืืื ืชืืืื ืื, ืืื ืฉืืขืืื ืขืืื ืืืืื ืืื ืฉืืื ืชื ืืืืืชื ืืืืืื ืคืื ืืช ืืงืืดื ืืืช ืื ืื ืืืื ืืืืืืช. ืืฉืืจื, ืดืขืื ืื ืจืืชื ืืืงืื ืืืืชืืด.
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Wagschal, Harav Hagaon Yehuda Shlita
The Tears of Elul
Parashas Ki Seitzei
Harav Hagaon Yehuda Wagshal shlita
Regarding the eishes yefas toar, the passuk says, ืึผืึธืึฐืชึธื ืึถืช ืึธืึดืืึธ ืึฐืึถืช ืึดืึธึผืึผ ืึถืจึทื ืึธืึดืื, and the Arizal says that this month of crying โ ืึถืจึทื ืึธืึดืื โ is an allusion to Chodesh Elul, a time when a Yid is supposed to cry. The section of the Yesod Vโshoresh Haโavodah that discusses Elul is actually called โShaar Hamayim,โ and the author explains that this is because Elul is a time when our tears flow like water.
The crying during Elul is normally understood as an expression of remorse, or fear, or worry for the future โ in other words, the avodah of yirah learning up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. On one hand, then, it sounds as though the avodah of Elul is yirah. On the other hand, we all know, as the Mishnah Berurah teaches, that the name โElulโ stands for ืึฒื ึดื ืึฐืืึนืึดื ืึฐืืึนืึดื ืึดื, which is an expression of kirvah and ahavah. So what is the essence of Chodesh Elul? Is it a month of crying and fear and worry, or is it a month of kirvah and ahavas Hashem?
In truth, the idea that the month preceding Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time of ahavah is difficult to understand. The avodah of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is, of course, yirah, and the ahavah comes afterwards, on Succos. That makes sense: first come yirah and teshuvah and taharah, and then, once weโre purified, weโre ready for the kirvah to Hashem and the ahavah. How, then, can the ahavah โ ืึฒื ึดื ืึฐืืึนืึดื ืึฐืืึนืึดื ืึดื โ come already in Elul, before the yirah?
Perhaps we can explain this as follows. In Parashas Nitzavim, Hashem tells us that eventually, while we are among the nations, weโll do teshuvah: ืึฐืึธืึธื ืึดื ืึธืึนืืึผ ืขึธืึถืืึธ ืึธึผื ืึทืึฐึผืึธืจึดืื ืึธืึตืึถึผื ืึทืึฐึผืจึธืึธื ืึฐืึทืงึฐึผืึธืึธื ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ื ึธืชึทืชึดึผื ืึฐืคึธื ึถืืึธ ืึทืึฒืฉึตืืึนืชึธ ืึถื ืึฐืึธืึถืึธ ืึฐึผืึธื ืึทืึผืึนืึดื ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืึดืึดึผืืึฒืึธ ื’ ืึฑืึนืงึถืืึธ ืฉึธืืึธึผื. But the next passuk says, ืึฐืฉึทืืึฐืชึธึผ ืขึทื ื’ ืึฑืึนืงึถืืึธ ืึฐืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืึฐืงึนืืึน, conveying again that we will do teshuvah. Why are there two expressions of teshuvah here? Furthermore, what is the meaning of the phrase ืึทืึฒืฉึตืืึนืชึธ ืึถื ืึฐืึธืึถืึธ? We can understand that we are returning to Hashem, as the second passuk says ืึฐืฉึทืืึฐืชึธึผ ืขึทื ื’ ืึฑืึนืงึถืืึธ, but what does it mean to return to your heart?
The Voice in Our Hearts
Weโve been saying every day in LโDovid Hashem the passuk ืึฐืึธ ืึธืึทืจ ืึดืึดึผื ืึทึผืงึฐึผืฉืืึผ ืคึธื ึธื ืึถืช ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ ื’ ืึฒืึทืงึตึผืฉื, the meaning of which is very unclear. โTo You my heart says, seek out my faceโ โ what does that mean?
Rashi explains that ืึฐืึธ ืึธืึทืจ ืึดืึดึผื doesnโt mean to You, but rather โon Your behalf,โ meaning that our heart is a shaliach of Hakadosh Baruch Hu that calls out to us and says, โSeek Me out.โ To this call of the heart on Hashemโs behalf, Dovid Hamelech responded, โI am going to heed this call โ ืึถืช ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ ื’ ืึฒืึทืงึตึผืฉื.โ
Rashi is conveying a remarkable insight here. Sometimes, a person who is not in the greatest situation suddenly experiences a hisorerus of teshuvah, and feels an urge to change and improve. The person might interpret this feeling as a guilty conscience, or a feeling of inspiration, but really itโs much more than that โ itโs Hakadosh Baruch Hu speaking via our heart, which is His shaliach. We know that shlucho shel adam kโmoso, so our heart is Hashemโs mouthpiece, calling us to do teshuvah.
โMy heart acted as a shaliach of Hashem,โ says Dovid Hamelech, โtelling me, โSeek out My face โ look for Me!โโ And Dovid responded by seeking Hashem.
At the moment of hisorerus in the heart, the person is not necessarily in any better shape than he was before; heโs still stuck in the same dirt that he was before. Perhaps this is the meaning of the passuk in Nitzavim that states, ืึทืึฒืฉึตืืึนืชึธ ืึถื ืึฐืึธืึถืึธ ืึฐึผืึธื ืึทืึผืึนืึดื ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืึดืึดึผืืึฒืึธ ื’ ืึฑืึนืงึถืืึธ ืฉึธืืึธึผื โ youโre still among the nations, in the dirt and darkness of the galus, but from that place you return to your heart, meaning that you respond to the hisorerus of your heart and do not brush it away or dismiss it as mere pangs of conscience. Rather, you respond to the calling of your heart, which is acting as an agent of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. You havenโt done teshuvah yet or changed your ways, but you respond to the call of your heart, taking it seriously, and that will eventually bring you to true teshuvah, as indicated in the words ืึถืช ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ ื’ ืึฒืึทืงึตึผืฉื and also in the next passuk in Nitzavim, ืึฐืฉึทืืึฐืชึธึผ ืขึทื ื’ ืึฑืึนืงึถืืึธ ืึฐืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืึฐืงึนืืึน.
Those are the two stages of teshuvah: first, the person responds to the call of his heart, and then he returns to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
Longing for Hashem
We can now gain a deeper understanding of the crying of Chodesh Elul. On one hand, crying is usually a sign of yirah, an expression of worry and pain, so how does that fit with the ahavah and ani lโdodi of Elul?
We can explain this with an analogy to a person who was separated from his parents for a long time, and suddenly, someone arrives bearing a message from his long-lost parents. Itโs very possible that his first reaction will be to break down in tears โ not because he is afraid of his parents, but because the renewed connection with them triggered intense yearning for them. He suddenly becomes acutely aware of how much he misses them, and he starts to cry.
Thatโs the crying of Chodesh Elul. This crying is represented by the eishes yefas toar, who cries because she misses her parents: ืึผืึธืึฐืชึธื ืึถืช ืึธืึดืืึธ ืึฐืึถืช ืึดืึธึผืึผ. Similarly, Chodesh Elul is a time of crying out of yearning for Hashem and missing Him.
Even before we arrive at the days of teshuvah โ Rosh Hashanah, Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, and Yom Kippur โ we experience a time of ืึทืึฒืฉึตืืึนืชึธ ืึถื ืึฐืึธืึถืึธ, when we hear the call of our heart on Hashemโs behalf and heed that call. Our tears at this time are not tears of fear and worry, but rather tears of love and longing. Afterwards, we come to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which are days of yirah and teshuvah, in preparation of the ultimate kirvah and encounter with Hakadosh Baruch Hu on Succos.
So there are three stages in this process. First, there is the ahavah of ani lโdodi, which is expressed in our tearful longing during Elul as we cleanse ourselves in preparation for the second stage, our meeting with Hashem on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the days of yirah. The third stage is the ahavah of Succos, which is a time of ืึฑืึดืืึทื ึดื ืึทืึถึผืึถืึฐ ืึฒืึธืจึธืื, when Hakadosh Baruch Hu brings us into His home.
We all have a Yiddishe heart, and that heart calls out to us, prompting us to feel that we need to change. This is really Hakadosh Baruch Hu calling. But not every person is zocheh to hear that shlichus, and we arenโt zocheh to hear it all the time. If our heart is truly an agent of Hashem, then why donโt we hear that calling?
Will You Hear Your Heart?
Perhaps the answer is alluded to in another instruction regarding the eishes yefas toar: ืึฐืขึธืฉึฐืืชึธื ืึถืช ืฆึดืคึธึผืจึฐื ึถืืึธ. The Arizal sees this as an allusion to the need to minimize luxuries during Chodesh Elul. A person should have what he needs, but in Elul he should avoid unnecessary extras, which are symbolized by nails, which are extraneous to the body, and which the Torah commands that the eishes toar cut off. The message to us is to get rid of the luxuries and manage with what you need; you donโt have to indulge in everything that you want.
Now, the value of limiting our gashmiyus is a constant avodah. Why, then, is it specifically connected to the month of Elul?
Perhaps this is connected to the idea that in Elul we hear the call of our heart on Hashemโs behalf, as expressed in the words ืึฐืึธ ืึธืึทืจ ืึดืึดึผื ืึทึผืงึฐึผืฉืืึผ ืคึธื ึธื and ืึทืึฒืฉึตืืึนืชึธ ืึถื ืึฐืึธืึถืึธ.
The avodah of Elul is to hear that call, but the reason we donโt always hear our heart speaking as Hashemโs representative is that our heart is sometimes hijacked by other pursuits and desires, so it draws us to other things. If we want to hear the voice of our heart speaking on Hashemโs behalf, then we need to minimize our gashmiyus and luxuries at this time, at least somewhat, so that our heart is open to Hashemโs call, and not wrapped up in extravagances.
May we all be zocheh to hear that call of ืึฐืึธ ืึธืึทืจ ืึดืึดึผื, and may we also merit the next step, during the Yamim Noraim, of ืึถืช ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ ื’ ืึฒืึทืงึตึผืฉื.