GREAT WEEKLY DOSE OF TEFILLAH! We are excited to provide by the following
link http://www.prayingwithfire.org/images/Newsletter45.pdf the forty fifth
issue of the Praying with Passion Series, with the issue focused on Pesukei
D’Zimra produced by The V’Ani Tefillah Foundation. Please spread this
especially useful and inspirational publication to others.
*Question One of the Day:* Very few dates are mentioned in the Torah--but
today is one of them! Where is today’s date mentioned in the Torah? Why is
the date specifically mentioned in that Parsha and context?
*Question Two of the Day:* Having just recited the Musaf Tefillos of the
Shalosh Regalim for 7(EY) or 8 (Chutz LaAretz) days, we recall how we
PLEADED TIME AND TIME AGAIN with Hashem for HIS RACHMANUS--His Mercy in
finally and at long last rebuilding the Bais HaMikdash--as we recited:
“Melech Rachaman...U’Serachem Aleinu V’Ahl Mikdashecha BeRachamecha
HaRabim...[and then reiterated a short while later] Melech Rachaman Rachem
Aleinu...Bahamon Rachamecha.... Yet, in today’s Musaf for Rosh Chodesh, we
make no heartrending appeal for mercy or even any request at all of
Rachmanus in the Musaf bracha--instead only asking in a straightforward
manner that the Mizbe’ach be rebuilt and that we be brought back to
Yerushalayim where we can all rejoice together in the Bais Hamikdash. Why
is there such a difference between these two Tefillos of Musaf--what is the
difference between the Shalosh Regalim and Rosh Chodesh in this regard?
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*Special Note One:* In fact, Rosh Chodesh Iyar is very much related to the
Binyan Bais Hamikdash. The Luach Dovor B’Ito brings that Shlomo HaMelech
began the building of the First Bais HaMikdash today, and that construction
of the foundation of the Second Bais HaMikdash also began today as well (See
Ezra 3:8-13). Let us now daven that today also prove to serve a role in the
building of the Third and Lasting Bais HaMikdash. Even if we see nothing
immediately around us or in front of us, and even if we hear no shofar blast
at this moment, let our acts of Teshuva today serve as a cornerstone for its
Building. Why leave the building to someone else when each and every one of
us is so eminently capable?! Let’s also begin building Today--it’s for
Eternity!
*Special Note Two:* One of the actions that we will take in the Bais
HaMikdash that we are not very used to doing now is
Hishtachava’ah--prostrating oneself to the ground. Undoubtedly, this
Hishtachava’ah will come in direct response to the intense Kedushah and
Ruchniyus experienced upon entering and viewing the Kohanim and the Avodah.
Yet, in the Tefillah of Nishmas we do recite in the here and now--VeChol
Koma Lefonecha Sishtachaveh--and every person standing up shall prostrate
himself before you. How can/do we fulfill this statement? The Chassidic
masters teach the following: Even when one is ostensibly standing straight,
he should feel inwardly as if he is bowed before Hashem--in recognition of
Hashem’s greatness and mastery and one’s own humility--something that every
person should recognize and appreciate--even without a Bais HaMikdash. We
may add that even when reciting the words VaAnachnu Koriim U’Mishtachavim in
Aleinu three times daily, we should experience the moment--envisioning
ourselves in an aura of submission and sanctity--so that we properly reflect
the words that we are expressing. In this merit--may we live to experience
the ultimate Hishtachava’ah speedily and in our days!
*Special Note Three:* The Sefer Ta’amei HaMinhagim (page 251) writes that
our new month of Iyar is tried and tested as a time for refuah, healing,
from the ailments and pains that may affect a person. Why is this so? He
brings the B’nai Yisaschar, who teaches that most weakness and illness come
from foods which do not comport with the person’s nature or composition.
The Rambam (Hilchos De’os 4:15) writes likewise. See also Kitzur Shulchan
Aruch Chapter 32.
Since the Mon began to fall in this month (on the 16th day of Iyar
2448)--and it was a perfect food from which resulted no sickness, pain or
even waste matter (as Dovid HaMelech refers to it in Sefer Tehillim--”lechem
abirim”) and even cured those who were ill--Hashem left the curative nature
of the month in effect even through today. Accordingly, Iyar is a time of
“segulah l’refuah”. In fact, the Ta’amei HaMinhagim notes, the name “Iyar”
is an acronym for Ani Hashem Rofecha--I am Hashem, Your Healer.
What can we do to help promote the curative effects of this special time as
initiated by the heavenly Mon? Let us reflect upon the following. The
Baalei Mussar note that one afflicted with Tzora’as does not ask others
directly to pray for him--rather, “VeTameh Tameh Yikra”--he only exclaims
that he is “Tameh”, and those who hear him are expected to pray sincerely
for him even without his direct request--and notwithstanding that he has
sinned to such a great extent that Hashem has actually made him a Metzora.
What a great lesson we can learn at this time of year--which is so special
for healing, and, moreover, the Omer period, in which our “Bein Odom
L’Chavero” is to be seriously improved upon. We should not wait to be
asked, or merely be responsive to the request of others, when we hear that
someone is not well. Instead, we should “hear the cry” and go out of our
way during this auspicious time to daven for those we may not even know, but
whom we have heard are in need of a Refuah. An ounce of Tefillah may mean a
kilogram of cure.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTION: During this special month, recite a daily special,
sincere Kepitel (chapter) of Tehillim for your list of cholim--recognizing
that this is a special time for the potency--and importance--of your
heartfelt Tefillah!
Additional Note: A reader wrote the following to us: Rabbi Nachman of
Breslov writes that the word IYAR is Roshei Taivos of the words ”Oyvai
Yoshuvu Yaivoshu Roga,” thus indicating that the month of IYAR is conducive
to see a Mapala for the enemies of K’lal Yisroel!” Hakhel Note: When
reciting Tachanun during this month we should have especial Kavannah when
reciting these words--that they come to immediate reality--with the events
of the past week continuing into the present month!
*Special Note Four:* As we begin this, the Ninth Month of the Year, we
continue our program of especially emphasizing one Ani Ma’amin a month--this
month with the Ninth Ani Ma’amin--that this Torah will not be exchanged, and
that there will not be another Torah from the Creator. Nothing will be
added or subtracted--the Torah will never change. When reciting this Ani
Ma’amin, or Torah Tzivah Lanu Moshe, or when reciting Birchos
Hatorah--recognize the Torah’s greatness--it is here now with you --TO BE
AND TO REMAIN AS IT ALWAYS WAS--FOR ALL TIME!
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Hakhel MIS
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Important Numbers
