Bostoner Torah Insights: Bostoner ‘Chassidus’ in Hebrew and English: Parshas Re’eh – 25 Menachem Av 5786
Bostoner Torah Insights - Yerushalayim
Bostoner Torah Insights
Bostoner ‘Chassidus’ in English
Parshas Re’eh – 25 Menachem Av 5786
Bostoner Rebbe shlit’a – Yerushalayim
Secretariat Email: bosto...@gmail.com
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R' Yonasan Eibishitz, in his Ahavas Yehonasan, points out a remarkable connection in the Haftoros of the Three Weeks. The opening words of the three Haftoros of Poraniyos [retribution] correspond to the three senses of speech, hearing and sight: "The words of Yirmiyahu the son of Chilkiyahu" (Yirmiyahu 1:1) is speech; "Hear the word of Hashem, House of Yaakov" (Yirmiyahu 2:4) is hearing; and "The vision of Yishayahu the son of Amotz" (Yishayahu 1:1) is sight.
In 5753, the Bostoner Rebbe zt"l explained that these same three concepts appear in the first three Parshiyos following Tisha B'Av, the Shabbosim of Nechemta [consolation]. "Va'Eschanan El Hashem" (Devarim 3:23) tells us of Moshe Rabbeinu's 515 Tefillos and entreaties to enter Eretz Yisroel - the power of speech and tefillah. "V'Hayah Eikev Tishmi'un" (Devarim 7:12) speaks of the Brachos that come when we "listen" to the mitzvos of Hashem - hearing. And this week's Parsha begins, "Re'eh Anochi Nosein Lifneichem Hayom Bracha U'Klal" (Devarim 11:26), placing before Klal Yisroel the choice between Bracha and Klalah - something to "see."
The message is that Hashem's Midah K'neged Midah is not merely punishment; it is also an invitation to repair. The very gifts that can be misused - our speech, our hearing and our sight - can become the tools through which we return to Hashem. When these Kochos are purified and dedicated to Avodas Hashem, the process of Nechama and rebuilding can begin.
It is especially meaningful that these three concepts are found within Kriyas Shema, our daily declaration of Emunah. The first paragraph emphasizes speech: "And you shall speak of them..." (Devarim 6:7). Our mouths are given to us so that our words can become words of Torah, Tefillah, Chizuk and Kedushah. The second paragraph emphasizes hearing: "And it will be, if you surely listen to My commandments..." (Devarim 11:13). A Jew must not merely hear the words of Torah, but listen to them - allowing the words of Hashem to enter his heart and influence his actions. The third paragraph emphasizes sight: "And you shall see them and remember all the commandments of Hashem and perform them," while warning us, "and do not explore after your heart and after your eyes, after which you stray" (Bamidbar 15:39). Our eyes can either lead us toward kedushah or, Chas V'Shalom, away from it.
Indeed, this triad is reflected in the Bracha before Kriyas Shema: "...to listen, learn, teach, observe, perform and fulfill all the words of Your Torah's teaching with love; and enlighten our eyes in Your Torah..." Every morning, we ask Hashem to sanctify these very abilities. How much gratitude do we owe Hashem for these gifts! We must never take our speech, hearing or sight for granted. Every word we are able to speak, every sound we are able to hear, and everything our eyes are able to see is a tremendous Chesed from Hashem and an opportunity to serve Him.
We unfortunately know people who have been deprived of one or more of these abilities and are thereby limited in their ability to perform certain Mitzvos. HaKaras HaTov demands that we recognize the gifts we have received and use them properly. Our greatest expression of gratitude is to take what Hashem has given us and return it to Him through Avodas Hashem.
This is the deeper message of Nechama. Hashem does not merely ask us to mourn what was lost. He gives us the ability to take the very Kochos that were misused and dedicate them anew to Him. May the Nechama of these weeks inspire us to return to Hashem not only through Teshuvah MiYirah, but through the higher level of Teshuvah Me'Ahavah, as Chazal teach (Yoma 86b) it is Teshuvah Me'Ahavah that transforms our Aveiros into Zechuyos.
May we merit to recognize Hashem's endless Chesed in every gift He gives us, to sanctify our speech, hearing and sight in His service, and to transform the days of Poraniyos into days of Nechama and Geulah.
And may we be Zoche to a K'siva V'Chasima Tovah, and IY"H to the speedy coming of the Geulah Shleimah.