25 Oct BRING LIGHT INTO THE WORLD
The Gemara (Menachos 53:) states, “Why is the Jewish nation compared to an olive? The olive tree never sheds its leaves, not in the summer and not in the winter. Similarly, the Jewish nation is eternal.
They live in this world and in the next world.” All agriculture perished in the mabul; only the strong, sturdy olive trees survived the storm. Reb Yehoshua Leib Diskin zt’l (Pikudei) explains that Hashem created olive trees with an all-weather nature to supply hope and chizuk to Noach and his family in the teivah.
When the dove returned with the olive branch in its beak, Noach and his family rejoiced, because that meant the water was receding and the tree tops were appearing. If all agriculture, including olive trees, were destroyed, Noach and his family wouldn’t have a way to know that they would soon leave the teivah.
Thus, from the beginning of Creation, Hashem created the durable nature of the olive tree to give hope and encouragement to Noach and his family.
This is a lesson for all mankind. When going through hard times, know that from the beginning of Creation, Hashem set up ways to help you in your plight, and to give you hope, help, encouragement, and joy.
Chazal (Tanchuma, Tetzave 5) state, “Just as the dove brought light to the world, so shall you bring olive oil and light the menorah of the Beis HaMikdash.” The dove brought light and hope to Noach and his family, but when did the dove bring light to the entire world?
The Maharal Diskin explains that the story of the dove encourages the entire world. We discover that Hashem prepared a way to encourage Noach and his family from the beginning of creation.
Similarly, we understand that Hashem wants to give us hope, chizuk, and encouragement, too. This awareness “brings light to the world.”
New Beginnings
The Rokeiach zt’l (in the introduction) teaches the following lesson: , אין†חוזק†מן
החסידות†בתחלתו
“Nothing is as powerful as the beginning of chassidus.”
These words are appropriate for this time of year, a few days and weeks after the holy days passed. We are still at the beginning of chassidus (new aspirations for improvement and growth), and nothing is stronger than that. Over the yomim tovim we made kabbalos and plans to improve. Also, at this time, many yeshivos and kollelim begin a new zman, and people are motivated to grow in Torah. Let this spirit of beginnings help us succeed, because אין†חוזק†מן†≠†החסידות†בתחלתו†,“Nothing
is as powerful as the beginning of chassidus.” Chazal (Tanchuma, Ki Sisa, 37:31) say, , אין†לך†יפה†מן†הצניעות
“Nothing is more beautiful than modesty…†Therefore¨†the†first†luchos¨†which were given publicly, were broken. When Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave the second luchos, Hakadosh Baruch Hu said, ‘There is nothing more beautiful than modesty…’ [and they were given with less public revelation], and therefore those luchos weren’t broken.” The Sfas Emes (Ki Sisa תרל”ט†ד”ה†ברש”י†אין†) asks,
Hashem knows the future; Hashem knew from the onset that something צנוע, concealed, unrevealed, has a
greater potential to endure. So why didn’t Hashem initially give us the Torah in that humble manner? Why weren’t†the†first†luchos†also†given†in†a†modest, concealed way?
The Sfas Emes replies that beginnings always need to be with hislahavus. Therefore, initially, the Torah was given on Har Sinai with great revelation and pomp.
The Sfas Emes writes, “This is a lesson for all generations: A person must begin with immense hislahavus, and although his fiery†passion†won’t last, nevertheless, it will help him when he falls later on.”
Similarly, it is natural that as the zman proceeds one might miss a sugya here and there. Nevertheless, the hislahavus of the beginning is the motor that will keep him going throughout the year.
When†the†flood†was†over¨†it†was†time†to start the world anew. Immediately, Noach planted a vineyard, and that had terrible consequences, as the Torah tells us. The Seforno explains, “Noach began with something improper, and therefore the results were matters that shouldn’t be. This is because a drop of kilkul (ruin) at the beginning causes a lot of kilkul at the end.”
We are also at a new beginning – a new year, a new zman, etc. – and if we set off the beginning well, everything that follows will be good, too.
The Holy Nights
Every year, after Simchas Torah, the Ropshitzer Rav zt’l would say, “We just left the great, holy days, and now comes the great, holy nights.” Because in the winter the nights are long, and they are special†times†for†Torah†and†tefillahÆ
Reb Pinchas Koritzer zt’l called these nights, די†גאלדענע†נעכט†, “The golden
nights.” Another expression is: די†הייליגע
ווינטער†נעכט†, “The holy winter nights.”
Reb Bunim of Pershischa called these nights , די†גוטע†פריינד†“The good friend.”
The Beis Aharon of Stolin zt’l would say that he feels disappointed when the yomim tovim pass. He asks himself, “Where can I attain holiness?” But then the holy nights arrive, and he feels
Revived. The Ateres Tzvi of Zidichoiv zt’l said that these nights have the holiness of chol hamoed. He also said that on these nights, before daybreak (alos hashachar), one should pray to Hashem. And at this time, he can accomplish†with†his†tefillos†as†much†as†we†achieve†with†our†tefillos†on†Yom†Kippur by Neilah.