01 Sep Parshas Ki Tavo

The Torah discusses the mitzvah of going to the Beis HaMikdash to proclaim there that you kept all the mitzvos of terumah and maaser etc. At this time, one says, “I did everything You commanded” (26:14). Rashi writes, “I was happy and I made others happy.” Tzaddikim understands from this Rashi that one of Hashem’s primary desires of Creation is that Jews should be happy. Therefore, if one “was happy and made others happy,” he can say, “I did everything You commanded” for he fulfilled one of the primary purposes of Creation.

The Gemara (Taanis 22.) tells that Reb Broka Choza’ah was in the market of Lefet together with Eliyahu HaNavi, and he asked Eliyahu whether there was anyone there who is a ben Olam HaBa. At first, Eliyahu said there weren’t, but eventually Eliyahu HaNavi pointed out two people who were b’nai Olam HaBa. Reb Broka spoke with them and asked them what they did. They replied, “We are happy people and we make sad people happy. Also, if we see two people in a dispute, we toil to restore their peace.”

There are many ways to bring happiness to others: Among them are encouraging words, to speak with those who are lonely, or simply to smile. As Chazal (Kesubos 111:) states, “Whoever shows his white teeth to his fellow man [in a smile] is greater than giving him milk to drink.” You can help the poor by giving them a cup of milk, but an even greater merit is to smile at them and to fill their hearts with happiness.

Someone asked Reb Avigdor Miller zt’l how he should prepare for the judgment of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Reb Avigdor Miller replied, “Smile.” Reb Avigdor Miller explained, “You think that I’m old, and that I’m not speaking coherently, for how does smiling grant someone a good judgment? But actually, this is very good counsel. I will explain with a parable: Someone owns a chain of stores. At the end of each year he takes inventory, and decides what changes have to be made for the upcoming year. Some stores will need more advertising, some employees will be laid off, and so on. The proprietor’s adviser said, “Even if you let go of some employees, don’t fire Mr. So-and-so. He always has a smile on his face, which gives the consumers a good feeling. There are people who come to the store just to meet with him…’ Similarly, as it were, at the end of the year Hashem takes inventory, to see how the world is running, and some will be removed from the world, in the upcoming year. But if someone always has a smile on his face, bringing joy to others, he is an asset to the world, and Hashem will therefore grant him life and a good year so he can continue bringing joy to others.

Reb Yisrael Salanter zt’l taught that those who do chesed have a better chance for receiving a good judgment on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, for even if they don’t deserve to live by their own merit, they will be granted life because other people need them.

The Yeitav Leiv zy’a told the following parable: There was once a king who would drive through his capital city on his birthday, and the townspeople would line the streets to watch the king pass by. As the king’s chariot drew near, the townspeople had the opportunity to throw a letter into the king’s chariot, stating their requests, which the king would fulfill. There was one person who would annually throw his letters into the king’s chariot, but the king never granted him his wishes. He investigated the matter and learned that one of the king’s ministers – who rode with the king – hated him. When he would toss his letter into the chariot, this minister would tell the king to ignore his requests, claiming that he isn’t a loyal citizen, and doesn’t deserve favors. The following year, this man went to the king’s palace before the king’s birthday, to speak with the king directly. When his adversary wasn’t around, the king was willing to fill his request. At this point in the story, the Yeitav Lev would cry out, and conclude, “Beloved Yidden! On Rosh Hashanah Hashem is surrounded by angels who speak out against us, claiming we don’t deserve a good year. We have to grab the shofar to protect ourselves. We will be better off speaking with Hashem face to face now, in the month of Elul, and especially during the days of Selichos. Our adversaries aren’t around, and there is a better chance that Hashem will give us our desires. Beg Hashem for compassion; ask Him for health, wealth, nachas, and all your heart’s desires. If we will do so, Hashem will have mercy on us, and will grant us a sweet and successful new year.”

Reb Shlomo Shtenzel z’l (founder of Chasan Mishnayos) said that when he was learning in Yeshivas Chevron, a bachur from Russia joined the yeshiva. Reb Shtenzel asked him, “What did the people in Russia say about Elul?” The bachur replied “Smiths test rusty metalscrap – to know whether the rust is through and through, or whether there is good metal under the rust – by putting a magnet. If the poles attract each other it means that there’s good metal there. The same is with Elul [and in the days of Selichos]. Throughout the year people forget Hashem and their obligations to Him, but when Elul and the days of Selichos arrive, one should be inspired to do teshuvah. This should be as if a magnet is pulling him towards something higher. If one remains stagnant even now, that’s a sign that he is corroded through and through.

The yamim noraim commence on the first night of Selichos. We are approaching a brand-new era; precious days when we can arouse Hashem’s mercy; moments conducive for salvations; a time to repent and to change our ways.

Rebbe Dovid of Lelov zt’l wanted to give someone a blessing, so he told him “Come to my beis medresh on the first night of Selichos.” His blessings were more effective then. He blessed this man with wealth and longevity, for him and for his descendants. (I met this man’s great-great-grandson, and he told me that all the blessings were fulfilled.)

The Shaarei Teshuvah (581) writes “I saw some rabbis, who are always occupied with studying halachah, but during the month of Elul, they would stop a bit from their studies to say tachanunim (supplications).”

Prayers are beneficial for getting a better judgment and also for success in our teshuvah. Therefore, many people say extra Tehillim during these days. We should also improve on how we say the standard prayers, which we say the entire year. The Trumas HaDeshen, for example, would say Baruch She’amar for almost an hour each day, in Elul.

The Ben Ish Chai zy’a told the following parable: A ferocious bear stood up on its hind legs ready to attack. A frightened man grabbed a stick and beat the bear until it fell to the ground, dead. The man kissed his stick, thinking the stick saved his life. Then, he sees someone holding a rifle climbing down a nearby tree. That man laughs and says, “Do you really think your stick killed the bear? I shot the bear with my gun…” The Torah tells us that Shimon and Levi alone won a war against the entire city Shechem. How? Was it because of their immense strength? (All of Yaakov Avinu’s children were extremely strong.) Or was it because of their cunning? (They told the people of Shechem to circumcise themselves, and this weakened them.) These aren’t the primary reasons they succeeded in this battle. They won the war because Yaakov Avinu prayed for them (see Bereishis 48:22, Onkelus). The man with the rifle, in the parable, represents the power of prayer. We think our effort brings the salvation, but the truth is, at all times, everything is in the merit of prayer.

The Chinuch (Mitzvah 433) writes, “Hashem revealed that people can acquire all their desires by requesting their requests from Hashem, because Hashem has the ability to fulfill all their desires. He answers from heaven to all those who call to Him sincerely.”

There is a popular misconception that people have regarding prayer. They think prayer is a one-way street. They try to come close to Hashem with their prayers, and they think that Hashem remains where He is in heaven. But it isn’t so. In accordance to our degree of devotion in prayer, Hashem as it were, comes down to us, to listen to our prayers. The Sfas Emes taught a similar idea about Elul. The more devotion one will have in Elul (Ani l’Dodi) Hashem will be close to him (v’Dodi Li).

The verse says, “Search for Hashem when He is found, call to Him, when He is close” (Yeshaya 55:6). The Gemara teaches, “When is Hashem found? Hashem is found in Asesres Yemei Teshuvah, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur” (Rosh Hashanah 18). The Gemara, however, doesn’t tell us when Hashem is close. The Hafla’oh says that Hashem is close to us in Elul. (In this aspect, Elul is greater than Asesres Yemei Teshuvah. In Elul Hashem is close, and closeness expresses a greater connection, than found, of the ten days of repentance.) Fortunate, are the people who increase their prayers in these days. Each chapter of Tehillim, each Selichos, each Shemonah Esrei makes a difference, and in these merits, we will be inscribed for a good year.

“What is the hardest part of your stunt?” people asked a daredevil, who walked tightrope for his parnassah. “It’s when I reach the end of the rope and I have to turn around.” We have arrived to the time of year when we should be turning around, improving our ways, and that is always very hard to do. But if we try, we will succeed in our teshuvah. One must review his deeds and middos, decide what needs to be fixed, and where he wants to focus. Obviously, there are many other things that we must do each day, aside from making a cheshbon hanefesh, but nevertheless, at least some time should be designated for this reflection, because change begins with introspection.

The Mishnah Berurah (581:5) writes “We say Selichos for at least four days before Rosh Hashanah, because sacrifices are checked for four days before they are sacrificed… and on Rosh Hashanah one should consider himself as though he is a sacrifice. Therefore during these four days, one checks himself for all blemishes of sin.” Consequently, this year we begin saying Selichos a week and a half before Rosh Hashanah (and not on the motzei Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah) because it is important that there be at least four days of Selichos and reflection before Rosh Hashanah.

Changes are always a struggle. All beginnings are hard. But it is precisely this struggle which makes change so precious to Hashem.