R’ Shraga Feivel answered her: “Are we better than this Yid? Every year we stand in judgment before Hashem during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah and ask Him to forgive our aveiros. We plead for selichah and mechilah from Hashem, and we promise to be chozer b’teshuva shleimoh. Even though min hadin we do not deserve Hashem’s forgiveness since we have not repaid the old loan, so to speak, and done a complete teshuvah, we really aspire with all our heart to change for the better and we pray that Hakadosh Boruch Hu will listen to our cry. We return with this same request, year in and year out. Despite all our promises, we continue to revert to our former ways. At this present time, this merchant wholeheartedly intends to repay all his debts. If so, are we not obligated to fulfill his request?”
They both decided to give the merchant the additional loan.
Showing posts with label THE MONTH OF THE MIGHTY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label THE MONTH OF THE MIGHTY. Show all posts
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Merchant’s Audacity By Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
A merchant once came to R’ Shraga Feivel Frank to borrow a large sum of money for a certain period of time. R’ Shraga Feivel graciously consented. However, when the loan came due, the merchant did not repay his debt. R’ Shraga Feivel, as was his minhag, did not confront the merchant to claim payment.
Weeks passed, and R’ Shraga Feivel found himself in need of money. His wife recalled the large loan he had given to that merchant, and suggested that they now approach the individual whose financial situation had greatly improved. The rebbetzin went to speak to the merchant about his outstanding loan and to request payment. She was shocked when the merchant defiantly refused to return the money and the rebbetzin returned home deeply upset. R’ Shraga Feivel, with great effort, tried to calm her down.
Time went by, and the same merchant returned to R’ Shraga Feivel – not to pay back the old debt, but to request an additional loan. He promised to repay both loans simultaneously on a specific date. R’ Shraga Feivel was stunned by the audacity of the merchant and said he would have to get back to him with an answer.
When he related this experience to his wife, she asked, “How could you think about lending him more money after the way he has conducted himself, with such chutzpah? I doubt that he will pay back either loan.”
Weeks passed, and R’ Shraga Feivel found himself in need of money. His wife recalled the large loan he had given to that merchant, and suggested that they now approach the individual whose financial situation had greatly improved. The rebbetzin went to speak to the merchant about his outstanding loan and to request payment. She was shocked when the merchant defiantly refused to return the money and the rebbetzin returned home deeply upset. R’ Shraga Feivel, with great effort, tried to calm her down.
Time went by, and the same merchant returned to R’ Shraga Feivel – not to pay back the old debt, but to request an additional loan. He promised to repay both loans simultaneously on a specific date. R’ Shraga Feivel was stunned by the audacity of the merchant and said he would have to get back to him with an answer.
When he related this experience to his wife, she asked, “How could you think about lending him more money after the way he has conducted himself, with such chutzpah? I doubt that he will pay back either loan.”
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A Cleansing for the Soul By Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
R’ Yechezkel Levenstein explains that the upsurge in mitzvos cleanses the nefesh from the impurities of the body. From the time of the sin of Odom HaRishon the nefesh became impure; the Torah is a means by which man is able to return to our earlier state of purity and holiness.
The month of Tishrei, therefore, is a special present to the Bnai Yisroel. It is a charmed time in the year where our potential for greatness is limitless. Since Tishrei is so replete with mitzvos, its awesome responsibility may at times be overwhelming.
The month of Tishrei, therefore, is a special present to the Bnai Yisroel. It is a charmed time in the year where our potential for greatness is limitless. Since Tishrei is so replete with mitzvos, its awesome responsibility may at times be overwhelming.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Accruing Merit By Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
We read in the mishnah, “Rataoh Hakadosh Boruch Hu l’zakos es Yisroel l’fichach hirboh lohem Torah u’mitzvos -- Hashem Yisborach wanted to make the Bnai Yisroel worthy of merit, therefore He gave us a great amount of Torah and mitzvos.” During the month of Tishrei, when all of us pray that we are judged for a good year full of bracha and hatzlacha, we want to accrue as many zechuyos as possible. Therefore Hashem makes it easier for Klal Yisroel by affording us all these opportunities to fulfill an abundance of mitzvos. Simultaneously, as we are being judged, every moment of our day is spent in the performance of avodas Hashem.
People often approach me during these days to ask, “What should I be doing? What should I be thinking?” They want to know the proper mindset and attitude of going about their avodah during the months of Elul and Tishrei.
The medrash tells us (Shemos Rabba 24:3) that even though the Jewish people may go astray, Hashem cares for them as a loyal shepherd tends to his flock. The Maharzav comments that so too Hashem searches to find a merit for Yisroel and causes them to be worthy.
We read in the mishnah, “Rataoh Hakadosh Boruch Hu l’zakos es Yisroel l’fichach hirboh lohem Torah u’mitzvos -- Hashem Yisborach wanted to make the Bnai Yisroel worthy of merit, therefore He gave us a great amount of Torah and mitzvos.” During the month of Tishrei, when all of us pray that we are judged for a good year full of bracha and hatzlacha, we want to accrue as many zechuyos as possible. Therefore Hashem makes it easier for Klal Yisroel by affording us all these opportunities to fulfill an abundance of mitzvos. Simultaneously, as we are being judged, every moment of our day is spent in the performance of avodas Hashem.
People often approach me during these days to ask, “What should I be doing? What should I be thinking?” They want to know the proper mindset and attitude of going about their avodah during the months of Elul and Tishrei.
The medrash tells us (Shemos Rabba 24:3) that even though the Jewish people may go astray, Hashem cares for them as a loyal shepherd tends to his flock. The Maharzav comments that so too Hashem searches to find a merit for Yisroel and causes them to be worthy.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Continuum of Mitzvos By Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
The gemara in Rosh Hashanah 10a explains that the month of Tishrei is named yerach ha’aisonim – the month of the mighty. Rashi explains there that is because the month of Tishrei is fortified with mitzvos.
Why specifically does the month of Tishrei have so many more mitzvos than any of the other months? It is a month when one literally proceeds from mitzvah to mitzvah, and at the same time that we are preoccupied with the performance of one mitzvah we are already making preparations for the fulfillment of the next mitzvah.
Why specifically does the month of Tishrei have so many more mitzvos than any of the other months? It is a month when one literally proceeds from mitzvah to mitzvah, and at the same time that we are preoccupied with the performance of one mitzvah we are already making preparations for the fulfillment of the next mitzvah.
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