EFFORT AND SWEET FRUIT

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

We have just come out of Chanukah, and next week is Asarah BeTeves ie the fast of the 10th of Teves

And I saw some interesting articles which link these events, and which offer some practical applications.

Chanukah

On the last day of Chanukah, the Torah reading describes (amongst other things), the making and the lighting of the Menorah.

The oil used in the Menorah of the Bes Hamikdash had to be kasis ie well crushed

The word kasis is made up of the Hebrew letters kof-sav-yud-sav, and this refers to the First and Second Temples as follows:

Yud-sav has the numerical value of 410, which is the number of years that the First Bes Hamikdash lasted

Kof-sav has the numerical value of 420, which is the number of years that the Second Temple lasted!

We can appreciate the infinite greatness of the Third Bes Hamikdash, by reflecting on the fact that both previous Temples had to be destroyed to make way for the eventual Third and Eternal Bes Hamikdash with the coming of Mashiach!

10th of Teves

This is one of 4 Fasts instituted by the Rebbeim in connection to the destruction of the Bes Hamikdash

10th of Teves marks the first of the tragedies ie the day when Nebuchadnezer laid siege to Yerushalayim.

Now the 10th of Teves fast has a greater intensity than the other 3, because if it would fall on Shabbos, we would still have to fast.

All fasts are an eis ratzon ie a time ripe with potential for good, and to correct past deficiencies.

And therefore 10th of Teves has an even greater potential for doing good than the other 3 fasts.

Practically

I saw today a letter written by the Rebbe in answer to a women who apparently had difficulties, and I saw this having practical relation to the above.

The Rebbe answers:

'...your current mood is a passing mood, and the more you exert yourself, the quicker the mood will disappear. Clearly you have the strength and the talents that you can use, not only for your own benefit, but also for the benefit of many others.

Just like with everything in existence, one has to transform things from the potential to the actual, and develop them.

IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES THIS DEMANDS EFFORT, THOUGH ONLY EFFORT THAT THE PERSON HAS THE ABILITY TO PUT FORTH.

When a person contemplates that through his (or her) effort during a relatively short time, he will benefit himself for many years to come, and benefit others by improving their physical or spiritual matters, or both, he will understand easily that the devotion, effort and exertion, are all worth it.

It is appropriate to say, that normally it is impossible to change from one extreme mood to the total opposite mood. However this does not have to be the case, and it suffices if you will decide to go in the correct direction ie towards a productive life, and to actually begin so, by MAKING A FIRST STEP.

Then step by step, which accumulates more steps, you will soon enough find yourself in the path of the King ie the path which leads to a life of inner satisfaction and fulfilment.............

I hope that you will very soon start actualizing, not to be overwhelmed by the effort or exertion, and soon you will see the SWEET FRUIT of your labour as well.'

May this be also for all of us, each progressing from our own levels.

Gut Shabbos!