Today is the Seventeenth day of Tammuz, a fast day by Takanas HaNeviim, which is no small matter. If we look at the number 17, we will soon realize that it is concomitantly the Gematria of each of “Oy”, “Chait”, and “Tov”. Thus, we see that the power of the day need not only lie in the negative, but can and must extend to the positive and good, as well.
We typically remember that the first frightful event that happened on this day was Moshe Rabbeinu’s breaking of the Shnei Luchos which contained the Aseres Hadibros, as a result of the sin of the Golden Calf. If only the people had shown enough faith to wait one more day for their venerable and venerated leader, their happiness and dancing would have resulted in the greatest Simchas Torah ever(!). Instead, we still feel the pain from the torturous event. In fact, there was one prior significant event on this fateful day which preceded the breaking of the Luchos. The Luach Dovor B’Ito writes that the Yona, the dove sent by Noach out of the Ark, could not find a place to land and so returned to the Teiva (Bereishis 8:8). The obvious question is, why would Noach bother sending the dove out without any indication whatsoever (from Hashem directly, or otherwise) that the waters had receded? Was he taking a stab in the dark? We may posit that Noach sensed or knew that the day was right for renewal and joy. The fact that the dove returned indicated to him that it was he and his family, representing all of mankind, who were the ones not ready for this renewal. The same lesson carried through on this date to the Golden Calf, and thereafter the subsequent tragedies on this day in which our people’s spiritual growth was stunted rather than cultivated.
Today and the three weeks in front of us should not be viewed as a burden to be overcome, evidence by our expression to others to have “an easy time of it.” Instead, it should be a meaningful and important time in which we hope, pray and take action. Depression and despair should not be the hallmark of these days, for they may evidence a breach or lack of faith which is the antithesis of spiritual growth. We should learn from the gift of gravity that Hashem has given us to always keep both feet firmly on the ground despite the forces working against us.
It is the custom of some to recite “Tikun Chatzos” during the Three Week period--some even in the middle of the day. We may not as yet be on this level. However, we should remember that every day, three times daily in Modi’im, we thank Hashem “for the goodness given to us in the evening, in the morning, and in the afternoon.” What goodness is it that Hashem gives us at these especially designated times? We suggest that it is Tefillah itself. If we can conclude the Yehi Ratzon at the end of Shemone Esrei with Kavana during these three weeks, three times a day, we will have sincerely davened for the Beis Hamikdash and our redemption more than 60 times during this short period! Rather than wallowing in self-pity, we will demonstrate a renewal of our faith and have beautifully affirmed our supreme goals. In the merit of our prayers, may we see with our own eyes the ultimate redemption at the beginning of the short period of special thought that lies ahead.
*Special Note Two:* One of the wonderful side benefits of the Geulah Shelaima is described in the bracha of Hoshiva Shofteinu in Shemone Esrei with the words "VeHoseir Mimmenu Yagon Va’Anacha--and remove from us sorrow and groan." Some explain this to mean that at the time of Geulah we will no longer feel the various pains associated with the Galus of the past (yagon) --nor will we experience any such pains going forward (anacha). HaRav Schwab, Z’tl (in the monumental Rav Schwab on Prayer (Artscroll, p.473), explains a bit differently, as follows: "the term yagon means the grief that one carries inside of him, while anacha is the loud sighing or moaning that one expresses (such as ’Oy’) when the grief cannot be contained any longer." How great will these days be! Because, as the Chofetz Chaim explains in his introduction to the Sefer Chofetz Chaim, our Geulah Sheleima is inextricably intertwined with our Shemiras Halashon, we intend to provide a short daily reminder in Shemiras Halashon over the next Three Weeks. To get a glimpse at the severity of the aveiros associated with Lashon Hora, we look to the Chazal (recently studied in the Daf Yomi) who teach that one who speaks and accepts Lashon Hora is fit ’to be thrown to the dogs’ (this is derived from the juxtaposition of the Pasuk ’Lo Sisa Sheyma Shav’ with the Pasuk ’LaKelev Tashlichun Oso’). Indeed, the Arizal comments (once again, based upon this very juxtaposition) that the tikun for a person who speaks Lashon Hora may be his gilgul into this world again as a dog (i.e., he is ’thrown to the dogs’ in different kind--but more horrifying--way). We can surely conclude that *nothing*--no intellectual benefit, no feeling of revenge, no monetary gain, no temporal joy, could ever be worth the Lashon Hora spoken if its G-d Given consequence is ’being thrown to the dogs’ in one extremely unpleasant way or another. On top of all that--look at all the people who want to be saved of yagon and anacha--and who may be denied of this wondrous benefit because of this or that inconsiderate person’s few evil and fleeting words. Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, Shlita writes in The Chofetz Chaim -A Daily Companion that "One can compare Lashon Hora to toxic waste, and the laws of Shemiras Halashon to the protective suit of people who must handle it. Properly protected--one can save others from harm--and not hurt oneself in the process!" Let us strengthen ourselves now and be especially vigilant to keep out even the harmful ’second-hand Lashon Hora’--for if not now--then when?!
*Special Note Three*: Today at Mincha we recite Sim Shalom, rather than Shalom Rav. The reason for this is that we Lein the Torah at Mincha, and Sim Shalom refers to the Torah and its greatness (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 127:2 and Rema there). HaRav Elyashiv, Shlita, rules that one should recite Sim Shalom even if he is not able to be in Shul for Mincha, and that women too should recite Sim Shalom on the Ta’anis.
*Special Note Four:* Please remember to give Tzedaka today on the Ta’anis for as Chazal teach ’Igra DeTa’anisa Tzidkasa’. If you need an address--we provide yadeliezer.org --which has been helping the poor in Eretz Yisroel for decades with true honor and real distinction. Add the Navi’s teaching that "Veshaveha BiTzedaka--those who return to Tzion will return with tzedaka" to the need to give on a Ta’anis itself --and we appreciate how much we can accomplish with some well placed funds on this very significant day. -------------------------- Hakhel MIS --------------------------
Important Numbers
