Closer to G-d, Closer to Your Spouse
By Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz
The month of Elul always begins around the week when we read the portion of Shoftim, which speaks of appointing judges (shoftim), anointing a king, and setting aside “Cities of Refuge” for those who killed unintentionally.
As there are no coincidences, we must ask ourselves: What lesson can we learn here?
As we approach the High Holidays, is the time to get closer to G-d—not physically, but mentally and spiritually.
“Judges you shall place in all your gates.” Now is the time to take an account of the past year. Judge yourself and see if you have used your abilities to the fullest to fulfill G-d’s will. Knowing where you stand is a great motivator. This is dealing with the past.
“Appoint a king over yourself.”
Accepting G-d as your King will move you to want to do His will, strengthening your commitment to Him. This is dealing with the future.
“You shall set aside three cities.” The month of Elul is a “City of Refuge” in time, a place to go for atonement. It’s an open opportunity to get closer to G-d as His arms are open to forgive us.
G-d, our king, is in the field. He is smiling, and he grants good to us all. All we need to do is go out and meet Him. This is a great
opportunity; don’t waste it!
On a personal level, many of us are in relationships that just seem to be on autopilot. We don’t even realize that our significant other is hurt by this. We think all is fine.
If you think everything is fine, then you need to follow the next steps:
Revisit Relationships: When was the last time you sat together and talked a about what is important? Take an account of your relationship. This is dealing with the past.
Recognize the Other: What are his or her needs? If you can’t figure out on your own, ask him/her to tell you or to write it down. Strengthen your commitment to each other. This is dealing with the future.
Talk It Out: Don’t be afraid to go down this road because bettering your relationship is something you both want. Your significant other will be more than glad to work with you to improve your relationship.
Just imagine coming to shul this Rosh Hashanah knowing that you are one with G-d and one with your spouse. What a way to start the year!
BALABUS OVER MOCHIN
BALABUS OVER MOCHIN
During nichum aveilim for the Rebbe after the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, one of the Admorim told a story that took place at the funeral of the daughter of the tzaddik, Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel of Cherkassy, the wife of his son-in-law, R’ Meshulam Zushe: Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel began to speak about the horses that were harnessed to the carriage and his son-in-law, who was grieving, asked, “How can you talk about that now?”
Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel replied, “Ay, Zushe, I thought you were a greater baal mochin (master of intellect).”
The Rebbe commented, “From this saying we understand that a Jew must also be a balabus over his intellectual faculties. Hashem should grant success and bless each one in what he needs, including being balabus over mochin.”
(Hisvaaduyos 5748, vol. 2 p. 638)
THE CHASSIDIM ARE SIMPLETONS
One of the Misnagdim went to the Alter Rebbe to ask about points in Chassidus which were hard for him to understand. The Rebbe answered everything. Then the man said, “The Chassidim are simpletons and liars.”
The Rebbe placed his head on his arms that were on the table for some time. Then he raised his head and said, “Hashem loves this!”
The surprised man asked, “Why does Hashem love this?”
The Rebbe explained, “To Hashem, everyone is a simple fool and the entire world is a lie, because ‘truth said not to create,’ but Hashem loves the simple fool since, ‘A simpleton will believe everything,’ referring to Jewish neshamos that believe in the name of Havaya, and He loves the world of lies, for G-d desires a dwelling down below specifically.”
On another occasion the Alter Rebbe said, “Chassidim are certainly simpletons but the question is only whether the simpleton becomes a Chassid or the Chassid becomes a simpleton.” He concluded, “To Hashem, everyone is naive.”
(Beis Rebbi chapter 28)
THEY JUST IMAGINE THAT THEY GRASP IT
During a farbrengen, the Rebbe Rayatz spoke about the quality of simple people. One of the participants asked what is special about them - is it that they have more iskafia since they don’t have feeling in the mind and heart, or is it because of their simple sincerity which comes from their neshamos?
The Rebbe said, “In truth, Ohr Ein Sof is beyond comprehension and all are simpletons to Him in absolute truth. If so, those profound thinkers only think that they apprehend G-d but in truth, they do not apprehend Him, but a simple person, who acts in simplicity, the absolute truth shines in him.”
(Sefer HaSichos 5696 p. 149)
Recipe of the week
Yogurt Veggie Bowl
By: Jamie Geller
INGREDIENTS
1 whole wheat pita Glicks Cooking Spray
1 tablespoon za’atar
1 cup canned chickpeas, such as Glicks
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Pereg Cumin
8 ounces plain Greek yogurt
1 small cucumber
1 teaspoon dried mint salt pepper
PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with Gefen Parchment Paper.
2. Split pita in half and cut into wedges. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with za’atar. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy. Depending on the size of the pita, this will take seven to 10 minutes.
3. Grease a nine- x 13-inch tray. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and transfer to baking tray. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
4. Grate cucumber and mix into yogurt. Add in mint, salt, and pepper.
5. Top yogurt mixture with chickpeas.
Zmanim
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