It was a week in which crying and laughter were mixed. On the one hand, we commemorated the passing of our mother Rachel, and the day after that, we were shocked again by the terrorist murders. On the other hand, in this particular week, we found the root "Z.H.K" in its various forms at least twelve times in the story.
So true. This month is bitter-cheshvan, and not in the noble sense of the word. Bitter and gray like any ordinary month that comes after a month filled with joy and celebration. But... when you understand the source of the bitterness, you recognize in it the possibility of reaching a sweetness much higher than the standard sweetness.
Rachel does weep for her sons. But in the end, she is the fourth leg in the upper chariot and she is the one who was promised "and the sons returned to their border.".
The word "Rachel" appears in the gematria as the number "and there was light." Because it is associated with redemption and is the only one who received a promise that her children would be redeemed. She is also the fourth leg of the chariot as mentioned. The other three legs of the chariot are the holy fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who together with Rachel form the initials Iyar, which means healing.
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It is interesting that the months of Mar-Cheshvan and Iyar are similar in that they are routine months after months of holidays. It is also interesting that in another composition, King David, peace be upon him, forms the fourth leg of the chariot. David and Rachel complement each other. She weeps and he dances. He sings psalms and plays musical instruments, and she sings in prayer and supplications. Both paths, Rachel's and David's, are intended for the same purpose - to worship God.
Bring kids, and lots of them!
I had to prepare a lecture for high school girls on the topic of "Faith and Confidence." After opening and closing several books and reading and memorizing several stories, I was still not satisfied with the lecture I had to give. As always, I turned to the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. As always, this time too I found the best guidance for me in it.
It was a conversation from 1941 in which the Rebbe spoke about childbirth. Yes. About childbirth. The Rebbe's words answered another question that had been constantly on my mind since the beginning of the week when I was exposed to a survey published in 'Maku' according to which a woman's level of happiness decreases after the birth of her third child...
I wanted to structure a lecture on the subjects of faith and confidence, and the Rebbe talks about Yeluda and explains that beyond the fact that this is the first mitzvah in the Torah, "the role of our generation depends on 'all the souls in the body being able to.' That is, the mitzvah 'be fruitful and multiply' is to the extent of 'fill the earth', and then the second part of the commandment will certainly also be fulfilled - 'and subdue it.' That is, in any case, all the accounts that follow from 'the earth', from the earthly and materialistic side, will be conquered and controlled.
Whether these are calculations on the financial side, how much it will cost to raise the children, or whether these are calculations on the hassle involved in raising them, up to calculations that raising the children will harm the peace of mind necessary for studying Torah.
""The Torah's teaching is not to consider all earthly considerations because it is the will of God, the Blessed One, who created the world, which has a side of heaven and a side of earth. But a Jew must constantly remember that the correct order is to increase the wind over the rain and make the sky the main thing, and then 'and conquer it' will take place. The conquest of the earthly and material to the point where considerations of this kind do not even exist.".
And the Rebbe continues and explains that "by fulfilling the will of God, a person creates a greater vessel for receiving the blessing and measure for measure because God created nothing in vain. And when a Jewish woman and a Jewish husband come and show God that they have created a greater vessel, because they have been blessed with what depends on them to bring into the world sons and daughters engaged in Torah and mitzvot and walking the path that is straight and good in the eyes of God and man, then God's blessing will enrich.
Not just 'his lack that he lacks,' just as it is required to raise another boy and girl from the expansion. But much more, to the point of real wealth. There is no room for the idea that a yeshiva costs more than an elementary school and that is the way forward, but rather remembering that everything comes from God's blessing and the bigger the vessel you make, the greater the blessing.".
In other words: The Rebbe answered the question that came up in the survey. I went looking for donkeys and found a kingdom. I wanted to learn and teach about the issue of confidence and faith in God and I found a conversation that deals with encouraging childbirth and teaches us a very important chapter in faith.
Who knows who the vested interests are behind a study whose sole purpose is to diminish the Jewish people and harm God's blessing and the fulfillment of His commandments. After all, every Jew is a whole world, and the world was not created except for Israel. Invited "surveys" of this type are designed to harm the Jewish people and prevent their development and growth in quantity and quality.
• Part of the column is based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
The writer is the owner of "My Choice", an event host, lecturer and radio broadcaster: [email protected]
