Shalom:

4 Menahem Av 5767

This week we read a Parashat D'varim. This is the opening Parasha of the Fifth Book of THE TORAH. D'varim is the Hebrew word for both "things" and "words." Clearly, the connection between words and "things" is apparent in the Hebrew language.

This Shabbat is also the last Shabbat before the Fast of the Ninth of Av, Tisha B'Av. On this day we will commemorate the date of the destruction of both the First Temple and the Seconf Temple in Jerusalem.

Our Sages of Blessed Memory tell us that both events were triggered by gossip and baseless hatred among the Jewish people. All of the terrible things that have come to pass to the Jewish people, in the eyes of many of our Sages, not the least of which is the great Chofetz Chayim, was brought about by our own failure to restrain ourselves from the sins associated with gossip and baseless [self] hatred.

The great Chofetz Chayim goes further, and says that we are today keeping The Temple from being rebuilt by our continued practice of gossip, and baseless hatred. I have dwelt on that thought from the beginning of this three week period of mourning which began on the seventeenth of Tammuz, and which will end at the end of the Fast, at sundown the beginning of the tenth of Menahem Av.

I have thought, during this period, about the world in which we live today, and on the hatred and gossip on which we thrive. One conclusion which I have reached is that of all the secrets which we hold to ourselves, either for ourselves or for others, there is one that is far more distressing to the soul than any other. This type of secret is by its nature both gossip and baseless hatred. It is also the hardest type of information to keep secret.

I speak of ugly reports about others. When someone tells you, either in confidence or otherwise, that "he said blah blah blah," it is nearly impossible not to tell another person that "he told me that 'he said blah blah blah.'" Think about it for a minute or two, how many times has someone confided to you something unflattering about another person. The report itself wishes to open your mouth and repeat it. Even if you are strong enough to contain yourself and not tell anyone, as long as you remember the report, or as often as you are reminded of it, you are nearly overwhelmed by the desire to "tell someone."

It is clear that we must learn to restrain ourselves in all that we do, and especially in our D'varim, lest those words transform themselves into D'varim, things.

We are now standing on the threshold of the High Holy Day Season. As we approach that awesome time let us all rededicate ourselves, and our tongues to constructive acts in line with the teachings of our TORAH.

We must never forget that we have a primary duty to bring glory to HaShem in all that we do.

Shabbat Shalom!!

I urge you all to visit www.mikva-tikva-hope.org and help Rabbi Imanuel Ravad with his Jewish Names Project. Get involved with the Mikva Outreach Global Programs, Inc. operation. Rabbi Ravad will gladly come to visit your town and talk about Mikva and about the Jewish Names Project.

HaZ”L teach us: All Israel are responsible one for the other. Step outside of your small world and find your brother and “tearfully fall on his neck.” You can save him, and yourself and me too by this simple act.

Shabbat Shalom.

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Shabbat Shalom: Treat someone better than you think they deserve to be treated.

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In the end, at the time of The Exodus (Yetziat Mitzrayim), we carried Yosef's mummy out of Egypt and buried him in Israel - in Sh'Chem (aka Nablus). Later, the government of Modern Israel gave his grave away to be desecrated by the mobs of Arabs. Go, see for yourself. http://keveryoseph.tsel.org

© 2007 (5767) Rabbi Haim Cassorla

There is much more in this week's Parasha. Read it all and enjoy.

I recommend to you my pages on the anti-Israel war, and other political topics, written by myself and a select group of my friends. Please visit and promote this site. www.rabbihaim.com and go to the views pages.

If you have comments, questions, or insights you wish to share, please feel free to write.

Rabbi Haim Cassorla

 

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