HaRav Yaakov Emden, Z’tl, in his Siddur Bais Yaakov,
writes that the misfortunes, calamities, death and destruction over all
these generations in our bitter exile arise from our failure to
properly mourn over Yerushalayim--and this is because we feel too
comfortable in Galus. HaRav Matisyahu Salomon, Shlita, in commenting
on this, notes that the worst part of our Galus is when Hashem is
“Haster Astir” (Devorim 31:18)--completely hides Himself from us.
Indeed, what greater tragedy can there be than to be removed from the
Source of all life and goodness--Hashem? And this occurs when we feel
comfortable and complacent with Galus life.
Paradoxically, then the most extreme Galus is reflected by our comfort
and satisfaction. As an example, HaRav Salomon states that during the
time of the Cantonists, when Jewish boys were forcibly abducted into
the Czar’s army for 25 years, everyone acknowledged and agreed this was
a terrible gezaira--decree--of Galus. On the other hand, with the
current “kids-at-risk” situation all over the world, there are those
who simply attribute it to community, local or family problems, to
issues of a lack of communication or, sometimes, even too much
affluence, but many fail to recognize it for what it truly is--the same
Gezeiras Galus as the Czar’s Cantonists.
Similarly, HaRav Salomon notes, we are beset by most severe and serious
illnesses in a manner disproportionate to the rest of the population.
This is not happenstance, it does not **ultimately** have to do “with
the water”, or “with the family”, or because of other hazardous
factors--it is, rather, a stark gezaira of Galus which we all share in
and suffer from together. It is not someone else’s issue or
problem--it is OUR tragic situation together...
Harav Salomon has other examples, but the point is clear. What we must
do, and what we must do now, is rid ourselves of the notion, and
certainly of the feeling, that we are currently content with the notion
of a two-car garage, the latest technology, the most Glatt Kosher of
international cuisine--and even the freedom to privately and publicly
study, observe and practice the Torah.
We all know the lessons from our past history as to getting too
comfortable in exile. Hashem, as our loving Father, jolts us back into
a recognition that we must strive for the Geulah. Many note that the
name for this month, Av, means Father. For only a father would “potch”
us in the way Hashem has in order to lead us on the proper path.
Chazal, with their Ruach HaKodesh, recognized that we needed to focus
on removing ourselves from a complacency, and even satisfaction, with
Galus. Accordingly when they instituted the final text of Shemone
Esrei, they included six brachos in a row (!), commencing with “Tika
B’Shofar” and continuing through “Es Tzemach” by which we in various
ways pray for, and thus stay connected to, the Geulah.
Over the next three weeks (in contrast to the previous “Three Weeks”),
until Rosh Chodesh Elul, let us make it our job to concentrate at least
on the first of these Brachos, “Tika B’Shofar” in each of our daily
Shemone Esreis. As we recite the Brocha, we should picture the
personal and communal tzaros and tragedies around us, feel for a loving
Father who is forced to leave His home together with His child--and the
unbounded everlasting joy and ecstasy it will bring to the Father and
His child alike when our sincere prayers are answered--with the
ingathering of our exiles, the coming of the Moshiach and the building
of the Bais HaMikdash!
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Hakhel MIS
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Important Numbers
