copyright 2020

For subscription & comments

Email: M [email protected] To receive by fax: 1-877-843-3049

Printed by:

[email protected] (718)287-5777 Torah Wellsprings 1

Torah WellsprinWellsprings gs ---P - PPPinchasinchas

You are Important to Hashem Every avodah zarah is with his donkey. Once, a disgusting, but Peor is probably non-Jew hired him, and when the worst of all of them. they came to Peor she said, "Wait for me here; I want to The Gemara (Sanhedrin 64.) go in for a moment." When she tells: came out, he told her, "Now A non-Jewish woman was once wait for me; I also want to go very sick. She made a promise inside." that if she recovers, she will She said, "But you are a Jew!" worship every avodah zarah in the world. She became well, and He replied, "What difference she worshipped every avodah does that make to you?" zarah. When she came to the He went inside and relieved avodah zarah of Peor she asked himself over the avodah zarah the priests, "How do you serve Peor, and then he wiped himself, it?" using Peor's nose as a tissue. The priests told her, "You eat The priests praised him. They tardin (a vegetable), and you said, "We never saw someone drink freshly fermented beer serve Peor as well as you!" (these cause an upset stomach), (The Gemara says that although and you relieve yourself in front he intended to disgrace Peor, it of the idol Peor." was a sin because Peor is She replied, "I would prefer to worshiped this way.) be sick again than to worship What was the logic in this kind this idol." of worship? At the end of last's A Jewish man called Savta from week's parashah, it states (25:3), Alis would drive people around øåòô ìòáì ìàøùé ãîöéå , "The 2 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

Jewish nation cleaved to Peor." still attached themselves to the ãîöéå means they were very philosophy that Peor taught. He attached to this type of worship, writes, "The rationale behind the like a ãéîö , bracelet, which avodah zarah of Peor [that cleaves tightly to one's arm. Hashem doesn’t want our What was so appealing about service] entered the hearts of it? many of Bnei Yisrael, and they believed in this heretical concept The Chasam Sofer zt'l (Pinchas until they said 'Let's worship øåòô ïéðò ) explains that this Peor.' … Therefore, it states (in service was done to express how Yehoshua ibid.) that 'We haven't lowly and mundane a human cleansed ourselves from it until being is. When a Jew would today.'" Because it is tough to perform this service, he shed oneself from the negative concluded that he couldn’t serve feelings of detachment from Hashem. How can a human Hashem. being, like himself, serve Hashem? With that thought in This negative view about mind, he served the idol instead. ourselves is the most significant That was the message of this prevention to serving Hashem. ugly service. Hashem desires us even more The Navi (Yehoshua 22:17) than the malachim because of states, ãò åðøäèä àì øùà øåòô ïååò our humanism. It is the yetzer íåéä , "Until today, we haven't hara and the human drive that cleansed ourselves from the sin we must deal with, which raises of Peor." The Chasam Sofer our avodas Hashem to the explains that this means they highest levels.1

1. The Gemara (Chulin 91:) states, "Bnei Yisrael are more beloved to Hashem than the malachim in heaven… The Jewish nation say Hashem's name after two words, as they say, 'ä ìàøùé òîù , and the malachim say Hashem's name after three words, 'ä ùåã÷ ùåã÷ ùåã÷ ." Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 3

It states (25:5), øåòô ìòáì íéãîöðä , it states (Devarim 4:4), íúàå people were attached to the íëé÷ìà 'äá íé÷áãä , "And you who avodah zarah Peor. The word are attached to Hashem…" íé÷áã ãéîö expresses a very tight bond. is not as strong an attachment Rashi writes that it is like a lid as ãéîö (as the Gemara teaches). that is placed over a utensil and The Chasam Sofer explains that then covered with wax to keep the reason the Jewish nation isn't it on even more firmly. This is completely attached to Hashem the type of connection the is that they are attached (ãåîö ) Jewish nation had with Peor. to the philosophy of Peor, and Whereas about the Jewish they perceive themselves as nation's attachment to Hashem unimportant people.

There are three places where we say Hashem's name after two words: (1) In every brachah, as we say: 'ä äúà êåøá (2) 'ä ìàøùé òîù (3) êé÷ìà 'ä úà úáäàå The first Shlomo of zt'l said that in a dream he was told that these three times are hinted to in the brachah Ahavas Olam, which we say before Shema. We say: úîàá äìñ ìåãâä êîùì åðëìî åðúáø÷å "You brought us close to Your great name" because we are closer than the malachim, for we say Hashem's name after two words. The brachah continues, êîù úà äáäàìå äáäàá êãçéìå êì úåãåäì , "To praise you, to proclaim Your Oneness, and to love Your name." This hints to the three times we say Hashem's name after two words. êì úåãåäì , "To praise you" refers to the brachos. êãçéì means the Shema. äáäàìå êîù úà is as we say êé÷ìà 'ä úà úáäàå . And then, all three are practiced immediately. Because after we say, ìåãâä êîùì åðëìî åðúáø÷å , that Hashem brought us close to His holy name we say, äáäàá ìàøùé åîòá øçåáä 'ä äúà êåøá , and we say Hashem's name in this brachah after two words. Then we say, 'ä ìàøùé òîù and 'ä úà úáäàå . 4 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

For example, they don’t place éåì ). A person must have pride all their concentration into so that he can always reach tefillah because they think, higher levels in avodas "What can a person like myself Hashem." accomplish with my tefillos? Why should Hashem – Whose The Yaavitz writes, "The holiness and greatness is purpose of man is to go in unfathomable –want to listen to Hashem's ways… Therefore, my words? just as the Creator is úåàâ äàâ ùáì , He dresses in [holy] Thus, it is this philosophy of gaavah, similarly, the Jewish Peor which stands at the root nation, dressed in this base of people's weak connection world, must follow in Hashem's with Hashem. ways…". They must also have holy gaavah, pride, by believing To correct this, we must increase in their greatness. awareness that Hashem wants our service. As the Mishnah The Chosid Yaavitz (Avos 5:5) states, áø êì äùò , and áø can writes, "Parashas Balak mean important, great, because expresses Hashem's love for a person must consider himself Bnei Yisrael, more than any great. As the Avodas Yisrael other parashah. It can be writes, "A person must compared to a person who hears strengthen his heart in avodas that someone wants to harm his Hashem, as much as he can, so friend. So, he girds himself with he can reach high levels. He weapons and goes out to fight shouldn’t focus on [his lowly against the enemy. The Jewish levels], because that discourages nation was living in peace, him from serving Hashem. This [unaware that] Bilaam and Balak is the intention of the Mishnah were plotting against them. (Avos 1:16), áø êì äùò , which Hashem brought Bilaam and means consider yourself great Balak down, and all their plans (as in Bamidbar 16:7 éðá íëì áø failed. Hashem saved them with Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 5

His love and righteousness. As 'Remember Balak's counsel… so it states (Michah 6:5), äî àð øëæ you will know Hashem's 'ä ú÷ãö úòã ïòîì ...÷ìá õòé , righteousness.'"2

2. Bilaam said (23:9), áùçúé àì íéåâáå ïåëùé ããáì íò ïä , "The nation dwells alone and they aren't counted among the gentiles." This is wonderful praise of the Jewish nation, how they live a spiritual life, above and uninfluenced by all nations of the world, and they aren't influenced by them. The Midrash (Shemos Rabba 15:7) writes that the word ïä , which is the beginning of this encouraging pasuk, also indicates to the concept that the Jewish nation stands alone. This is because the letters ï"ä are letters that don’t have partners. As the Midrash states: "All letters have a partner. The exception is these two letters (ï"ä ). For example, the letters è"à is gematriya 10. Similarly ç"á is gematriya 10. æ"â is 10. å"ã is 10. But the 'ä remains alone. The same is with the 'ð . It doesn’t have a partner. Because ö"é is gematriya 100. ô"ë is 100. ò"ì is 100. ñ"î is 100. But the ï"åð remains alone. Hakadosh Baruch Hu says, 'Just as these two letters can't join with any other letter, similarly, the Jewish nation can't connect with the gentile nations." It states in (Shir HaShirim 4:1), êá ïéà íåîå éúéòø äôé êðä , "You are beautiful, my friend. You don’t have a blemish." These are the words Hashem says to praise the Jewish nation. The passuk begins with the words êðä because these letters mean that we are alone, uninfluenced by the nations of the world. We already showed (from the Midrash) that letters 'ä and 'ð are lone letters. It is also so with the letter 'ê . Because it is known that the letters ê"ôöðî (letters that have a double) also have a numerical value, a gematriya. The value of 'ê is 500 (for it is the next letter after 'ú which is 400). 'í is 600, 'ï is 700, 'ó is 800, and 'õ is 900. Each of them can join with another letter to become a thousand. The õ with the '÷ are 1000. ó"ø is a thousand. ï"ù is a thousand. í"ú is a thousand. But the 'ê remains alone. Therefore, it states äôé êðä , because that is the beauty of the Jewish 6 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

Humility Although one must have pride Someone once complained to and believe that he is precious Reb Yisrael Salanter zt'l that to Hashem, one must also be people are trampling on him. humble before Hashem and Reb Yisrael replied, "Stop before his fellow man. spreading yourself out in the nation: They remain alone, uninfluenced, and not mixed with the nations of the world. Sometimes the beauty of the Jewish nation (or of an individual Yid) is concealed, but that is a temporary status. Soon their bright light will shine through. Once, people wanted to say äðáì ùåã÷ , but the moon was covered with clouds. Someone came into the beis medresh and said, "There is no moon." Reb Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt'l corrected him. "The moon is there, it is just that we can't see it." The Lubavitzer Rebbe said that the Jewish nation is compared to the moon (see Succah 29.) to hint that the spark of the Jewish person is always there, only sometimes it is covered and not seen. With Hashem's help, there will come a time when our sheen will come forth. I heard from the magid Reb Moshe Weinbach shlita that when it is time to say kiddush levanah, and the moon is covered with clouds, often people will go outside again a half hour later, hoping that perhaps now the moon came out from under the clouds. This reminds us that we should believe in every Yid. Even if right now he is covered with "clouds" and his bright light isn't shining, don’t lose hope on him. Expect that very soon the clouds will move and his good and his merits will shine forth. The Sfas Emes (øáãéå ä"ã â"ñøú àøàå ) teaches, "The truth is, just as we must believe in Hakadosh Baruch Hu even when we don’t understand His concealed ways, so too, we must believe in Bnei Yisrael, even when they appear ugly. As it states (Shir HaShirim 1:5), éðà äøåçù äåàðå , 'I am black and I am beautiful.'" Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 7 width and the breadth, and He tried, and his truck got stuck. people will stop treading on The truck couldn't drive through. you." He was holding up traffic. A wise person told him, "Take In other words, if you won't be some air out of your tires, and so haughty, you won't feel that then you will be able to drive everyone is trampling on you through." and disgracing you. The nimshal is, if you feel that Reb Elyah Roth (gabbai of you are stuck in life and you Rebbe Shlomke of zt'l) aren't getting places, it might be would sit on the floor of the because you have too much bus. He explained, "From the arrogance. Lower your gaavah, floor one can't fall." Once again, and everything will fall into the lesson is: If you are humble, place. you won't feel that people are knocking you down. Reb Nochum, the son of the Driving down a highway, a truck Trisker Magid zt'l, was building driver saw a sign that said, his new home in Cotalana, a "Bridge ahead. Eighteen feet!" village near Brisk. As His truck was exactly eighteen customary, before moving into feet, which meant that he should the new neighborhood, where have stopped and not driven he planned to open a beis through. But he was in a rush medresh and a chasidic court, to finish his job. Who knows he asked permission from the how long it would take him to Brisker Rav – the Beis HaLevi detour? zt'l. The Beis HaLevi granted him permission and was "Furthermore, " he thought, especially friendly to Reb "These signs always exaggerate, Nochum. A close friendship just to be on the safe side. I developed between them. When am exactly eighteen feet, so I Reb Nochum's house was fully should be able to drive through." built, the Beis HaLevi came to 8 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas visit. The Beis HaLevi was The Rebbe didn’t explain his shocked at the size of the house. intentions, but the chassidim He said, "This house is so tried to explain what he meant, small!" and several explanations were given. Reb Berel of Biala zt'l Reb Nochum replied, "There is said that the following was the an easy solution for that. We Rebbe's intention: humble and lower ourselves, and then the house has plenty of The Torah obligates us to love room." our fellow man as we love ourselves. Alluded to in these As the Beis HaLevi were words is that one must love traveling back to Brisk, he said himself, too. The problem is, if to his students, "Today, I learned he loves himself, he won't have in one moment what I didn’t room in his heart to love anyone learn all the years I studied with else! my , the Geonim." The Rebbe answered êåîë . This Reb Mendel of Vorke zt'l (called means: The amount you can love "The Shtiller Rebbe – the silent yourself less, that is the amount Rebbe," because he hardly you can love your fellow man. spoke) once said, êòøì úáäàå The pasuk is saying êòøì úáäàå , êåîë , "Love your fellow man like love your fellow man, and the yourself?" (He said these words degree of your love will be êåîë , in a question.) He answered, according to how much you can êåîë , "Like yourself!" lessen your self-interest.3

3. There is a joke that tzaddikim said: ÷ìá is roshei teivos êòøì úáäàå êåîë . And if you will ask that it doesn’t fit, the answer is that is the whole test; to love your fellow man even when things aren't perfect in the relationship and it is hard to love your fellow man. Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 9

Tefillah Earlier, we wrote that we must and we can bring the korbanos believe that Hashem wants our once again. tefillos. We shouldn’t follow the Additionally, in galus, the philosophy of Peor, which tells mitzvah is to wait for those people that Hashem is so great, moments that we stand before He isn't interested in us. Hashem in tefillah, because in The korban tamid is discussed in galus, tefillos are a substitute this week's parashah (28:2). As for the korban tamid. it states, çéø éùàì éîçì éðáø÷ úà The Sfas Emes adds, "The entire åãòåîá éì áéø÷äì åøîùú éçåçéð , "My day should be ìôè , secondary, to korban, bread for My fires, My tefillah. The main part of one’s pleasure, be cautious about day should be when he davens." bringing it at the right time…" (28:2). åøîùú , "be cautious" also The Kuzari (3:5) writes, "For a means to wait (see Bereishis chassid, the times of tefillah is 37:11 øáãä úà øîù åéáàå ). The the 'heart' of his day. All other pasuk is saying that we should moments are like roads leading wait for the moment when we to that moment. He yearns for can bring the korban. The Sfas those times, for that is when he Emes (5647) explains that this is is closest to spirituality and is an obligation for all generations. most distant from animalistic When the Beis HaMikdash behavior." stood, the mitzvah was to wait The Kuzari adds that the tefillah for the moment the korban tamid should be like breakfast, lunch, was offered – once in the and supper. Each meal satisfies morning and once in the him until the next meal. So too, afternoon. In galus, the mitzvah the prayers in the morning should is to wait for the time when the give him spiritual sustenance Beis HaMikdash will be rebuilt, until the next tefillah.4

4. A poor unemployed person spent a morning in the post office, and 10 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

Tefillah with Joy Tefillah must be said with joy. Similarly, the Ben Ish Chai It states (Midrash Shochar Tov, (Aderes Eliyahu, Mishpatim) Tehillim 100) "Rav says, 'When writes, "It is known that tefillah you daven, have a happy heart, must be said with joy, and then because you are davening to the tefillos will be answered. It Hashem, and there is no One is also known that the word äéäå like Him.'" connotes joy. Thus, the pasuk (Shemos 22:26) says, ÷òöé éë äéäå Similarly, it states (Sefer éìà , if you will be happy when Chassidim 18), "The root of you daven to Me, éúòîùå , I will tefillah is a joyous heart…. listen to your prayers." Therefore, Dovid, the King of Yisrael, would play the harp Reb Chaim Vital zt'l when he davened. He did this (introduction to Shaar so he could fill his heart with HaKavanos) writes, "It is joy and with love for Hakadosh forbidden to daven with sadness. Baruch Hu. And therefore, his If one does, he won't be able tefillos were answered." to receive the divine light that watched the goings on. He saw people giving small amounts of money to the clerks, and in exchange, the clerks gave them very expensive packages. The poor man thought to himself, "I didn’t know that expensive items are sold for cheap in the post office." He collected some money, gave it to one of the clerks, and asked for a diamond ring in exchange. The clerk laughed at him. "But I see that other people pay you a small amount and you give them expensive packages?" The clerk explained, "They are paying for the delivery. Before that, they paid for the package." The nimshal is, if one thinks his hishtadlus brings him parnassah, he is like the fool in this story, who thinks that expensive items are Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 11 comes down when he is The Mesilas Yesharim (19) davening. (However, when he writes, "One must imagine that says the viduy, then it is good he is truly standing before the to say it with a broken heart.) Creator and is conversing with One must indeed show Hashem Him – even though he can't see immense humility and fear. Him. This is the hardest Nevertheless, he should have imagination to acquire because immense joy – as much as he we don’t have anything similar can. This can be compared to to it that can help us imagine a slave who is serving his master it. Nevertheless, someone who with immense joy. If the servant has a straight mind can establish is sad, the service is not this truth in his heart with some appreciated by his master. The thought and focus; to know that ability to attain ruach hakadosh he is literally speaking to is almost entirely dependent on Hashem… Hashem listens to this factor (davening and him, similar to when one speaks performing mitzvos with joy). to his friend, and the friend Don’t be lenient with this topic, listens to him. because its reward is very great." A non-religious Yid was once How does one daven with joy? visiting at yeshivas Kfar If one believes that Hashem Chassidim while they were listens to his tefillos he will davening Minchah. Afterward, daven with kavanah and joy. people asked him what his What greater joy is there than impressions were. He replied, "I to speak directly to Hashem, saw bachurim swaying back and Who desires to hear our forth, but there was this elderly requests? man, standing near the front acquired with a few pennies. Parnassah comes from tefillah, when one pours his heart out before Hashem, while hishtadlus are the few coins to pay for the delivery. 12 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas wall, and it appeared that he The King set up guards there was truly speaking to someone." too, but the palace had many That man was Reb Elyah Lopian entryways, and despite the many zt'l. guards, this man always found a way to get inside. People said similar things about the tefillos of Reb Chaim A wise man told the King, Shmuelevitz zt'l. People had the "Instead of placing guards in all impression that if they disturbed your doorways, appoint one him in the middle of his tefillos, guard to stand in front of that he would respond, "Don't you person's house. He won't be able see I’m in the middle of to go out, and then he won't be speaking with some-One." able to come to your palace." The following mashal is The nimshal is: The yetzer hara repeated in the name of the wants to prevent people from Dubno Magid zt'l: davening properly, so he sets A king once announced, up many guards to stop them. "Whoever has a request should In one beis medresh he has come to my palace, and I will people speaking during fulfill his wish." davening so that it will be hard to daven there with kavanah. This generous announcement (Even if one does daven with turned out to be a problem kavanah, the speaking can because one person kept prevent the tefillah from going returning to the palace to speak up). In another beis medresh the to the King for no particular yetzer hara arranges that people reason at all. He was bothering should daven so quickly that it’s the King with nonsense. The almost impossible to daven there King appointed guards at the with kavanah. Some people feel palace's front door to prevent that they have no place to daven, him from entering. But the man other than at a kever of a entered through a side entrance. tzaddik. But when they go there, Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 13 they find someone who disturbs appoint one guard and have the them or laughs at them, and guard stand in man's heart." The now they can't daven there, guard tells the person that either. In short, wherever one Hashem isn't interested in his wants to daven, the yetzer hara prayers, and then he won't be placed a guard there, to prevent able to daven. But we can banish him from davening properly. this yetzer hara with the awareness that Hashem desires But then the yetzer hara became our tefillah. Then we will be cleverer. He says, "Why should able to daven to Hashem with I set up so many guards? I will proper concentration and joy.

Tefilah B'tzibur

The Gemara (Brachos 7:) tells us kneses to come and tell you when that Reb Yitzchak asked Rav the congregation is davening, so Nachman, "Why didn’t you come you can daven along with them, to the beis kneses to daven?" from your home." Rav Nachman replied, "I wasn’t Rav Nachman saw that it was able to." (Rashi explains that he crucial, in Reb Yitzchak's was weak, and therefore he opinion, that he should daven stayed home.) with a minyan, so he asked, éàî éàä éìåë , "Why is it so Reb Yitzchak advised him to important?" gather ten people to his home so that he could daven with a Reb Yitzchak replied, "Reb minyan in his home. Rav Yochanan taught in the name Nachman replied that this would of Reb Shimon bar Yochai: It require too much effort, and it is written (Tehillim 69:14), éðàå was hard for him to do that. 'ã êì éúìôú , 'I pray to You, Hashem, ïåöø úò when You Reb Yitzchak said, "You should desire the tefillos.' When is the ask someone from the beis eis ratzon, the time that Hashem 14 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas desires the tefillos? It is when children from among the nations the community (minyan/tzibur) of the world.' is davening." Reish Lakish says, "Whoever The Gemara brings some more has a beis kneses in his city sources showing how special it and doesn’t go there to daven is to daven with a minyan: is a bad neighbor… And not only that, but he causes exile "Reb Yosi ben Chanina said it for himself and his children… could be derived from the pasuk People told Reb Yochanan that (Yeshayah 49:8), úòá 'ä øîà äë there are old people in Baval. êéúéðò ïåöø , 'So says Hashem: I will He was surprised, because the answer you at the desired time.' pasuk (Devarim 11:21) says, "Reb Acha b'Reb Chanina says ìò íëéðá éîéå íëéîé åáøé ïòîì that it can be derived from the äîãàä , which implies that following (Iyov 36:5), øéáë ì"à ïä people will live long in Eretz ñàîé àìå , which means that when Yisrael, and not in chutz there are many people (øéáë le'aretz. But then people told means a large congregation) àì him that they come early to ñàîé , Hashem is never disgusted the beis medresh and they leave from their prayers. Furthermore, late. Reb Yochanan said, "This it states (Tehillim 55:19), äãô is what helps them. As Reb åéä íéáøá éë éì áø÷á éùôð íåìùá Yehoshua ben Levi taught his éãîò , 'Redeem my soul in peace children, 'Come early to the …because I davened with many beis kneses and leave late so people.' that you will live long.'" … Hashem says, whoever The Beis Ahron taught, "tefillah studies Torah and does deeds b'tzibur helps for all matters. of kindness and prays with a Tefillah b'tzibur is as powerful minayn, I consider it as though as the tefillah of the greatest he redeemed Me and My tzaddik of the generation."5

5. The Beis Ahron zt'l was very cautious to daven with a minyan. Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 15

It is well known that the Meor written in plural tense], and VeShamesh says that davening Hashem will bless your bread with a minyan is mesugal for and your water, and He will parnassah. The Radishitzer zt'l remove illnesses from you." says davening with a minyan is mesugal for refuah. As it states, In a letter to his chassidim, the êîçì úà êøéáå íëé÷ìà 'ä úà íúãáòå Yismach Yisrael zt'l writes, "I êáø÷î äìçî éúøéñäå êîéî úàå , encourage the businessmen to "Serve Hashem [with tefillah daven in the beis chassidim (beis with a minyan – because íúãáòå medresh) every morning and which often means tefillah is every evening with a minyan.

Once, he needed to undergo surgery, so he scheduled it for the early afternoon. That way, he would be able to daven Minchah with a minyan before the procedure and he could daven Maariv afterwards. Ten people were asked to postpone davening Maariv, so they could daven Maariv together with the Beis Aharon when he awakens from the surgery. But when it was almost midnight, and the Rebbe was still sleeping, the chasidim davened maariv and they went home. Later that night the Rebbe woke up. He immediately asked, "What about Maariv? Is there a minyan?" The gabai said, "Ten people are waiting outside the Rebbe's room. They will daven there, and the Rebbe can daven along with them from this room." The gabai left the room, and pretended to be the chazzan. He said Barchu, Kaddish, and so on, and the Rebbe davened along. Several days later, when the Rebbe recovered, the gabai told the Rebbe that he only pretended that there was a minyan. The gabbai said, "I'm afraid that I sinned, because I said Barchu and Kaddish without a minyan…" The Rebbe told him, "You did well. It was a situation of pikuach nefesh. I just got up from the operation, and had I known there was no minyan, I wouldn’t be able to endure the distress." 16 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

Even if they must wait until the that they will not lose any minyan gathers, they should money because of this. On the wait, and in the meanwhile they contrary, they will be blessed can learn something. I promise with parnassah."

In Your Own Words The Chofetz Chaim zt'l (Likutei more times to pray to Hashem. Amorim 10) teaches, "In The Gemara says, "If only a addition to Shemonah Esrei that person would daven the entire is recited three times a day, one day!" Rebbe Bunim of should pray from the depths of zy'a taught that this could be his heart, when he is alone in accomplished by davening for his home. The reason these each thing you're about to do. tefillos are so important is that For example, on the way to the three daily Shemonah Esreis work, pray that you be are often said by rote. One successful. When you're about doesn’t think so much about to learn Torah pray that you what he is saying. But when a should understand what you person is by himself and makes learn. Before cooking dinner, a cheshbon hanefesh, he reflects pray that it should turn out well. on his poverty and troubles…he Pray for the major and the minor will pour his heart out like water aspects of life. Pray for before Hashem, and that tefillah everything, and you will be will be said with kavanah. It praying the entire day. will be a prayer from the depths of his broken, humble heart. It is written, óåèòé éë éðòì äìéôú That tefillah will never be åçéù êåôùé 'ä éðôìå , "The tefillah returned unanswered." of a poor person who wraps himself and pours his speech According to this counsel, there out before Hashem." The Divrei are many opportunities for Chaim zt'l explains that one prayer. In addition to the three should óåèòé , wrap his tefillos daily tefillos, we have to find within the conversations he Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 17 speaks during the day. Even as the pasuk is saying that one he speaks to someone, he can, should wrap his tefillos around in his heart, be saying a prayer everything he does. As Rebbe to Hashem. Bunim of Peshischa taught us, whatever you’re doing, pray to Generally, one needs to be on Hashem. a high level to create such a tefillah. It isn't a simple matter If a person applies these to have a conversation with counsels, he will be praying someone and conceal a prayer many times a day. As Reb within the words. Therefore, let's Yochanan said, "If only a person translate, óåèòé éë éðòì äìéôú that prays the entire day!"

Teshuvah The Chasam Sofer (Drashos This is as the Or HaChaim Pesach ç"ñø äøèôäá ä"ã ã"ñ÷ú ) teaches (last week's parashah writes, "Even the greatest rasha, 23:10) on the words éùôð úåîú if guaranteed that [if he tries to íéøùé úåî , "Let me die the death do teshuvah] he will succeed of the righteous." and he will come close to Hashem will be ready, and he The Or HaChaim explains, "We will joyously accept the can explain that Bilaam was bitterness of keeping the Torah. saying that on the day he dies, He will keep the Torah with all he wants to improve and change of its boundaries and safeguards his bad deeds. Bilaam was the (gezeiros). The problem is that greatest rasha of his time, and he loses faith in himself because the story about his donkey thinks he won’t succeed in his testifies to that (see Avodah teshuvah, and that since he is Zarah 4:). Nevertheless, on the anyway not a tzaddik, he might day that he dies, he wanted to as well follow the calls of his be like the righteous gentiles. heart. This is because Bilaam 18 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas recognized his bad nature and teshuvah is also infinitely evil ways and that it was valuable. impossible for him to become The Gemara (Yoma 85.) rules good, so he prayed that at least that we are obligated to save a on the day that he dies, he should person’s life, even on Shabbos, be righteous. In a similar vein, even if the act of chillul Shabbos many resha'im told me outright will only prolong the person's that if they would know that life for a moment longer. The they will die immediately after Imrei Noam says that if a doing teshuvah, they would moment of life for the body of quickly do teshuvah. The a Jew is so precious, how great problem is that they know [they and special it is to save the won't die immediately, and they neshamah of a Yid for even just know that] they can't maintain a moment. With this awareness, their righteous ways for a long we understand the value of time because the foolish, old teshuvah, even if it lasts only King (the yetzer hara) rules over for a moment.6 them…" Additionally, each time we do Bilaam's mistake was that he teshuvah we weaken the yetzer didn’t value even just a second hara. Even if one returns to his of teshuvah. Even if teshuvah old ways, he will be somewhat doesn’t last, a moment of better than before. The yetzer

6. Rebbe Gedalyah Moshe of Zvhil zt’l told someone, “If you were drowning, and someone tells you that he can save your life for a half-hour, and then you will have to be thrown back into the sea, would you agree to those terms? Of course you would, because even a half-hour of life is precious. (Especially, since it is possible that once you are saved, you will live longer).” Rebbe Gedalyah Moshe said this to a person who wasn’t going to a mussar shiur, because he knows that even if he does teshuvah during Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 19 hara won’t be as strong as it as strong as before. Therefore, previously was. every attempt at teshuvah is a great accomplishment. The Beis Avraham says that this is hinted at in Chazal's lesson After the great sins of Peor and (Brachos 3:), àìîúî øåáä ïéà Bnos Moav, it states (25:6), äîäå åúéìåçî , which means that when ãòåî ìäà çúô íéëåá , "and the a pit is dug, and the earth that Targum Yonoson writes, ïåðéàå was taken out is returned to the òîù ïéøå÷å ïééëá , "They were pit, it will not fill the pit. “The crying and reading the Shema." pit never becomes filled by the They cried for their aveiros, but earth that was taken out of it.” at the same time, they continued This hints that when one leaves with their avodas Hashem. the øåá , the hole of sins he fell Because even as one corrects the into, and he does teshuvah, even sins of the past, he should forge if it doesn’t last, the yetzer isn’t forward, and improve his future.

Sin Doesn’t Pay One of the paths for teshuvah The Or HaChaim (25:17) is to recognize that it doesn’t teaches that three plagues were pay to sin. occurring at this time. One aspect of the plague afflicted Pinchas was rewarded for only Shimon's tribe. As the stopping Hashem's anger and for Midrash (Bamidbar Rabba saving the Jewish people from 20:25) states, "The twelfth the plague. As it states (25:12), miracle [that happened to éúàð÷á ìàøùé éðá úà éúéìë àìå , "I Pinchas] was that when Pinchas didn’t wipe out Bnei Yisrael due came out [of the tent where he to My anger." killed Zimri, the nasi of Shimon] the drashah, immediately afterwards he will go back being his old self. Rebbe Gedalya Moshe told him that even teshuvah for a short time is also worthwhile to attain. 20 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas members of Shimon's shevet (2) For the people who sinned wanted to harm him. A malach with the daughters of Moav. came down and started a mageifah." 24,000 people died (3) For those who had thoughts in that mageifah (see 25:9). of avodah zarah, and because of úåáøò . A second mageifah was intended to harm the people who sinned The first plague took the lives with the daughters of Moav (and of 24,000 people and then also for those who had forbidden ceased. When Pinchas killed thoughts related to the daughters Zimri and Kozbi, the Or of Moav, even if they didn’t HaChaim says, the third aspect actually sin – Or HaChaim). of the plague stopped. But the second plague, for the illicit Many people didn’t sin, yet also deeds and thoughts (and for the deserved punishment. They were avodah zarah that came along the people who had thoughts of with it) didn’t yet have avodah zarah (even if they atonement, and people were still didn’t actually worship it) and, dying. ultimately, all of Bnei Yisrael, due to the concept of úåáøò , For their atonement, Hashem which means all Yidden are tells Bnei Yisrael (25:17),øåøö responsible for the sins of their íúåà íúéëäå íéðéãîä úà , "Hate the fellow men. Thus, since a Midianites and smite them." It portion of Bnei Yisrael strayed wasn't yet time for this war. The after the daughters of Moav and war would be held sometime worshiping Peor, everyone was later (see Bamidbar 31:2, when held responsible. Hashem commands them to wage this war). But for the time In review, the plague was being, they had a mitzvah to intended: hate the Midianites and to desire (1) For the tribe of Shimon, to to smite them when the prevent them from harming opportunity would arise. This Pinchas. hatred would atone for their sins Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 21 and be a protection against the means you should consider them plague. your enemy, and you should hate them… This is one of the paths The Or HaChaim explains, of teshuvah. It states øåøö in the "Whoever tastes sins, it is hard present tense, which means your for him to leave it. Even if his hatred should become your attachment to sins is merely in nature [and at any given his thoughts, it is hard for him moment, when you think of the to abandon them. And since he Midianim, you should hate is attached to sin, it is difficult them]. for him to attain atonement. In our episode, Bnei Yisrael tasted "íúåà íúéëäå means that you the sweetness of sins – some should wait for the moment by deeds, and some in their when you will be able to smite thoughts. and Hashem wanted them…"One of the paths of to heal them and to end the teshuvah is to train oneself not mageifah… Hashem said, øåøö to want bad, which will make íéðéãîä úà , "Hate the it easier for him to abandon it. Midianites." This means to hate The Mesilas Yesharim (15) the people and to hate any discusses this point: sweetness and good that they have. [When you go to war, you "The best way to acquire prishus must] cut down the fruit trees (separating from pleasures he and to ruin all freshwater doesn’t need) is when a person fountains… because they caused thinks about the revoltingness you to do bad… And if you of the pleasures of this will hate them, you will be world…and the bad that is likely disgusted by the temptation for to come from them. Because the sins… This will atone for reason one's nature pulls him to you…and the plague will end. these pleasures…are his eyes, which entice him that they are "This is the explanation of the good and sweet. But when a pasuk, íéðéãîä úà øåøö , this person clearly knows that the 22 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

"good" is a total farce, an their falsehood, and then he will imagination, and the bad is real, be disgusted by them on his and it will cause a lot of trouble, own, and it won't be hard for then he will undoubtedly be him to leave them." disgusted, and he won't want them at all. Therefore, this is A person should recognize that all that a person has to do: To sin isn't good for him. The more train himself to recognize the this is clear to a person, the easier feebleness of these pleasures, it will be for him to leave it.

Everything is for the Good It states in this week's parashah redemption, and the problems (26:8), áàéìà àåìô éðáå . Tzaddikim go away. explain that àåìô means concealed, hidden, and it hints The Torah says that tefillin are to the times when Hashem's to be worn êéðéò ïéá , between the chesed is concealed, and a eyes. The apikorsim (in the time person is going through of Chazal) took these words difficulties. He must know that literally, and they wore their even then, áà¯éìà , Hashem is his tefillin on the nose, between father, and the problems came their eyes. The Chachamim to him for his benefit. And when teach that it means to wear the one believes that it is good, it tefillin on the head, above the will become good. area "between the eyes." Rebbe Moshe of Kobrin zt'l We can explain that the taught: When one inserts the non-believers want to wear letter 'à in äìåâ , exile, it becomes tefillin between their eyes äìåàâ , redemption. This hints that because they only want to when one remembers Hashem believe in what they see. If their amid his tzaros (and he eyes don’t see something, they remembers that everything is for don’t believe in it. But we place the good), it turns into our tefillin on our head because Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 23 even when we don’t see, we Baruch Hu says, ‘with every can know the truth by using our distress that Yisrael endures, I intellect. This lesson also applies am with them.’ As it states, ìëá to emunah, believing that øö åì íúøö , 'With all their everything is for the good. Even distress, He is distressed.' …" if we don’t see how everything In fact, Hashem is closer to those is good, we believe it with the who are in a tzarah. Think about eyes of the intellect.7 a father who loves all his The Tana d'Bei Eliyahu (Rabba children. But when one of his ch.18) writes, "Baruch Hashem children is in the hospital in the Whose compassion never leaves operating room, the father’s Bnei Yisrael. Even when they thoughts are now exclusively on sin and Hakadosh Baruch Hu is that child. The nimshal is, when angry with them, nevertheless, someone is going through a hard Hashem's compassion is on them time, that is when Hashem is every day, constantly. Hakadosh even closer to him.

Bein HaMetzarim We have reached the Three [in heaven] he is asked, 'Did Weeks when we mourn the you deal honestly in business? Churban. Even while we mourn Did you designate set times for the Churban, we shouldn’t forget Torah study? Did you have to hope for Moshiach. children? Did you await the salvation? Were you mifalpel The Gemara says, "When a (study deeply) the Torah?" person is brought to judgment (Shabbos 31). One of the

7. According to Rabbeinu Tam, until 58.5 minutes after shekiyah it is daytime. It is very dark outside, but those who follow this opinion say that it is still daytime. Let's take this as a sign that sometimes things appear dark, as though it is night, but it is really daytime, and everything is good. 24 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas primary questions asked is Rebbe emitted a deep sigh, and whether we waited for His with a broken heart, said, "A salvation. great tragedy happened today."

Similarly, the Rambam writes, "What happened?" the man " Moshiach will come and asked, concerned. reestablish Dovid HaMelech's "We didn’t bring the korban kingdom, build the Beis tamid sacrifice today…" and HaMikdash, and gather the then the Apter Rav cried dispersed of . All copiously for Yerusahlayim and mishpatim (judicial laws) will the Beis HaMikdash. return as they were beforehand. There will be korbanos; and we Someone once came to the will observe shmitah and Kotzker Rebbe zt'l, complaining yovel… Anyone who doesn’t that his son-in-law had become believe in Moshiach or who isn’t a Kotzker chassid. He told the awaiting his arrival, not only Rebbe that his daughter was doesn’t he believe in the very upset about this (not to Nevi'im, he also doesn’t believe mention that so was he, the in the Torah and in Moshe father-in-law). He cried, Rabbeinu" (Hilchos Melachim "Whoever has a heart 11:1). understands me. How could it not burst from pain because of Therefore, during the Three my daughter's sorrow?" Weeks (and throughout the year) we should be mourning and The Rebbe replied, "If one yearning; mourning the indeed has a heart, how could Destruction, and yearning for a it not burst from the pain of the better future. Churban Beis HaMikdash." Someone once asked the Apter During the Three Weeks, a Rav zt'l advice regarding his tzaddik visited the Sfas Emes business. The Rebbe gave him of Gur zt'l. "What brings you some wise advice. Then the here?" the Sfas Emes asked Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 25 since he knew that this tzaddik sufficient to prolong our galus. lived far away. In my opinion, this is the primary cause for all the terrible "My family's tradition is to tragedies that befall us in galus. travel during the Three Weeks," We are pursued, we don’t have the tzaddik explained. "Hashem peace… It is all because the is, kivayachol, in galus, so we mourning has left our hearts."8 go into galus too." The Magan Avraham (551:45) "The main thing is to remember writes, "The Arizal taught that that we aren't home," the Sfas one should mourn during these Emes replied. days [of Bein HaMetzarim] after The Sfas Emes rarely traveled, midday, and cry for around a but he always remembered that half-hour." he wasn’t home. We aren't where we should be. In the Chasam Sofer's yeshiva, after midday, during the Three Reb Yaakov Emdin zt'l (Siddur Weeks, they would read the Beis Yaakov, Tisha b'Av 6:16) Tikun Chatzos publicly and teaches, "If our only sin were mourn the Churban. Generally, that we aren't mourning for the tzaddik, Reb Fishel Sofer Yerushalayim, it would be zy'a was the chazan. He cried

8. The three Haftaros of Bein HaMetzarim are called àúåðòøôã àúìú (three punishments) and the seven subsequent haftaros are called äòáù àúîçðã (seven condolences). The Ateres Moshe of Makave zy'a asks that since the opposite of äîçð is úåìéáà , it seems that a more fitting name for the haftaros of the Three Weeks would be àúìáàã àúìú (Three of Mourning). The Ateres Moshe answers that àúåðòøô can also mean 'to pay back.' Reb Yaakov Emdin taught that the tzaros of galus is because people aren't mourning sufficiently. When we read the haftaros of the Three Weeks, we are àúåðòøô , paying up our obligation. 26 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas bitterly, and the community It sounded more like a yom tov would cry along with him. tefillah than lamentations. When he finished, the Chasam Sofer Once, when Reb Fishel wasn't said, "We have to check to see in yeshiva, and a young bachur, whether this bachur belongs to with a sweet voice, was chosen Shabtai Tzvi's sr'y group. For to lead Tikun Chatzos. This how can one relate to the bachur didn’t say it in a Churban of the Beis HaMikdash sorrowful voice, like Reb Fishel. with such ease?"9

Mourning versus Joy The Shulchan Aruch teaches, a mashal: A king had to flee "One may not fill his mouth from his palace, and he ended with laughter in this world" up in a very distant land. He (561:5). The Yesod VeShoresh stayed in the home of one of HaAvodah teaches that this is his close friends. The King especially true during the Three observed his host and saw that Weeks. sometimes he cried bitterly, and at other times he was extremely However, we must clarify that happy. The King asked him, "I this doesn’t mean that we should see you crying, and I see you be sad on these days. A Yid happy. So, are you happy, or should always serve Hashem are you sad?" with happiness.

How does one combine The host replied, "I’m both. I'm mourning with joy? sad because you needed to leave your palace and come here. And Rebbe Shmelke of Nikelsburg I’m happy because I have the zy'a answers this question with privilege of hosting the King."

9. The Chasam Sofer said, whoever mourns for the Beis HaMikdash in the Three Weeks, will merit good children. Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 27

During the Three Weeks, we for the Beis HaMikdash he cry because the Shechinah is immediately experiences the joy in galus, but we are also happy of the redemption. because the Shechinah is with us. The sefarim explain that it The Kedushas Levi (Eichah) is possible to become closer to writes, "When one thinks about Hashem during the Three holiness and mourns for Weeks than throughout the year. Yerushalayim…. he experiences It is illustrated with a mashal: a little bit of the joy of It is hard to come near to a Yerushalayim; of how it will be king when he's sitting in his in the future." palace. But when he is in exile, whoever wants to come close The Sfas Emes (Ki Savo 5653) can do so. teaches, "In our generation when one remembers the Beis It says, íéøöîä ïéá äåâéùä äéôãåø ìë , HaMikdash, he becomes and the Magid of Mezritz zt'l attached to its light. Therefore, explained: Whoever runs to find at every simchah, one must Hashem (ä¯é óãåø) , äåâéùä , will remember the Beis HaMikdash. be able to find Him íéøöîä ïéá , At a chasunah, we say the during the Three Weeks of Bein brachah ùéùú ùåù [and we pray Hametzarim." for the ge'ulah] because when the Beis HaMikdash stood, the Shulchan Aruch states,ìáàúîä ìë simchah was complete. Today, äúçîùá äàåøå äëåæ íéìùåøé ìò , we merit this simchah through "Whoever mourns for mourning for the Beis Yerushalayim will merit seeing HaMikdash. As it says, ...åùéù its joy" (554:25). äàåøå äëåæ is íéìáàúîä ìë ùåùî , 'Rejoice… written in the present tense (it all those who mourn.' … doesn’t say äàøéå äëæé ). The Because of his mourning, he Kedushas Levi and other sefarim merits to feel the joy of explain that when one mourns Yerushalayim." 28 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

Shabbos In the tochachah (Bechukosai) weeks of Bein HaMetzarim, where it discusses the galus, the between Shivah Asar BeTamuz Torah says, úà õøàä äöøú æà until Tisha b'Av, for they are ...äéúåúáù (Vayikra 26:34). The àëáä ÷îò , low days. At these Tiferes Shlomo zt'l translates times, úáù êì áø , the Shabbosim this pasuk as follows: "æà , when are great. The Shabbosim of Yidden are in galus, úà ...äöøú Bein HaMetzarim are greater äéúåúáù , Hashem will enjoy the than the Shabbosim of the rest Shabbosim." of the year. This is because there is greater distress during these The Tiferes Shlomo explains, weeks, therefore on Shabbos the "The Shabbosim [in galus] are joy is extra great in heaven… more joyous to Hashem than Every Yid should be happy on [the Shabbosim] when the Beis Shabbos… And when we are HaMikdash stood. This is happy, it makes Hashem even because…during the week, happier." keviyachol, Hakadosh Baruch Hu is also in galus, as it states, The highest point of Shabbos is äøöá éëðà åîò , 'I am with you in in the afternoon, at your hardships.' Consequently, Shalosh-seudos time. This is when Shabbos comes, Hakadosh because the afternoon is a time Baruch Hu has immense of din (harsh judgment), and joy…because He leaves Shabbos turns it into rachamim galus…" (compassion) and whenever din turns into rachamim it’s an The Shabbosim of the Three extraordinary time. Weeks especially are very lofty and joyous times. The Tiferes The Yid HaKadosh zy'a taught Shlomo writes, "It states [in that in the Three Weeks, all Lecha Dodi] úáù êì áø , 'Shabbos twenty-four hours of the day is great, àëáä ÷îòá , in the low are times of din, and Shabbos times.' This is referring to the turns them into rachamim, so Torah Wellsprings ---P - PPPinchasinchas 29 the entire Shabbos is unique Weeks, similar to Shalash and sacred during the Three seudos time.10

Torah Rebbe Aharon of said that éúøåú úà íáæåò ìò õøà äãáà , "Why when a Yid learns Torah, there was the land destroyed? It is is no galus. An indication of because they abandoned My this is that it is permissible to Torah." Therefore, when one eat meat and drink wine at a finishes a masechta and makes siyum celebration during the a siyum he atones the cause of Nine Days. Where there is the Churban, and the scent of Torah, there is no galus. ge'ulah is in the air. Therefore, all participants can partake in Similarly, the Chozeh of the meal. zt'l said: Halachah states that at a bris in the Nine Days, only One of the reasons Torah study ten people may eat meat and is so special and important in drink wine at the meal. But if the Three Weeks is because there's a siyum in the Nine Days, during these days, Hashem, there is no limit to the number keviyachol, is sad, and we of people allowed to participate. should study Torah to make Even more than ten people can Hashem happy. partake in the meat and wine at The Mishnah says, the meal. What's the difference? ãåîìì ãå÷ù éåä äøåú , "be diligent in studying The Chozeh explains that the Torah" (Avos 2:14). The Avodas Churban came because they Yisrael writes that éåä is weren't studying Torah, as it gematriya 21, corresponding to states, (Yirmiyahu 9:11), äî ìò the 21 days of the Three Weeks.

10. The Zohar (Vaykira 182) debates who is greater: the Jewish nation or the malachim? The Zohar concludes that on Shabbos, the Jewish nation is greater, and on weekdays, the malachim are greater. 30 Torah Wellsprings --- Pinchas

"éåä , during the Three Weeks; aside all the pain and suffering äøåú ãåîìì ãå÷ù , devote yourself and delve into Torah study? to studying Torah." The Avodas People asked him about this, Yisrael explains, "It is the way and he replied, "People asked of kings to…have musicians. my father-in-law this very same When the King is happy, he question during World War I. doesn’t need a band to play for They couldn’t understand how him, because he’s happy he maintained the peace of mind regardless. But when the King to study Torah. He explained becomes sad, he will call for that during hard times it’s even his musicians to play music and more important to study the make him happy. Likewise, Torah. Because the Mishnah keviyachol…the Beis says, 'When a person has pain… HaMikdash was destroyed, and the Shechinah says, 'My head there's sadness… Someone who hurts. My arms hurt, which cares should come before the means Hashem suffers together King, free from all depression, with us. We are living in a time and he should make the King when Klal Yisrael is in distress, happy…" by studying Torah and Hashem is certainly with joy. suffering together with us. We must make Hashem happy, and During , people nothing brings joy to Hashem were amazed to see Rebbe like a Yid who learns Torah." Pinchas of Ustila zy'a (the son-in-law of Rebbe Yissacher May these days of mourning Dov of Belz zy'a) learning Torah turn into days of happiness, with with immense hasmadah. How the coming of Moshiach, did he have the stamina to put speedily in our days, amen.