REFLECTION

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

Mazal Tov to Devorah Leah on her upcoming birthday. Wishing you a year of much success in both gashmius and ruchnius, and in the upbringing of your Family, together with Shmuly. And with much joy!

Mazal Tov to Chava on qualifying in her BSc Honours for Maths and Science! What an amazing achievement Chava, after putting in so many years of hard work. You deserve it and wishing you to go michayil el chayil with many more achievements!

The whole Book of Devarim covers the last 36 days of Mosheh's life. This week's Sedra, Devarim is about Mosheh Rabeinu REVIEWING AND REFLECTING on the whole saga of events that he and Bnei Yisrael had to experience from the times in Egypt, the exodus from Egypt, the wandering in the desert, and all the challenges and difficulties that were experienced. And he starts off by gently rebuking, guiding lovingly, and encouraging us to keep the Torah and it's Mitzvot.

And connected to this, I have been reading the Frierdike Rebbe's second volume of Likutei Dibburim, and would like to share a section which I found interesting, about the manner in which Mashiach will judge the world soon in our days: (Chap 39 and following)

"And his (Mashiach's) delight shall be in the fear of G-d - Not according to the sight of his eyes will he judge, nor shall he rebuke according to the hearing of his ears.....His is a course of conduct that transcends nature. (Because) Mortal law is restricted to that which one sees with one's eyes and hears with ones ears....

Hillel uttered a great warning: "Do not condemn your fellow until you have stood in his place." If one sees that someone has faltered, and was unable to withstand temptation, do not condemn him until experiencing his situation yourself....

A major query now presents itself. How is it at all possible that a Jew could ever come to transgress the ways of the Torah and Mitzvos?

For the Torah is such a clear and beautiful lesson in how a person should conduct oneself well in all areas of life - in spiritual life, family life, and in social life?

(Why would anyone want to give this up?)

And the Gemorra answers, " Such is the craft of the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination). Today he tells a man Do this, and tomorrow he tells him Do that........

When Mashiach judges, he will look with an eye to also see and feel the factors that caused the sinner to transgress. He will also sense that the sinner did not want to transgress, but that he was unable to overrule his desires...

However we can correct this now...

For the sake of the childrens upbringing, the lifestyle at home needs to be distinctively Jewish. If the father joins a minyan for communal prayer, and attends the study sessions that are available, -

And if the mother carefully observes the requirements of Yiddishkeit, -

And if Shabbos is as it aught to be, -

Then the atmosphere at home is favorable, so that Yiddishkeit can take root in the children.

What parents can, and do, give their children is such a faith...

In order to build the upcoming generation and the House of Israel according to the Torah, father and mother must work together, with one view, one voice, one goal........"

Gut Shabbos to all, and wishing for the transformation of the mourning of Av into days of joy, with the coming of Mashiach before Tisha BeAv