Daily Chizuk #0904

In this week’s parasha Bichukotai, after the harsh tochacha, the pasuk says ואף גם זאת בהיותם בארץ אויביהם לא מאסתים ולא געלתים לכלתם – simply saying, even though there will be punishments for failing to observe the mitzvot, Hashem will never reject or obliterate the Jewish People. However, the Zohar HaKadosh gives us its deeper meaning. The word lichalotam here is spelled without a vav, which means a bride. The pasuk is saying, even during the long galut where the Jewish People will be scattered amongst the nations of the world, Hashem’s love for them will still be like a groom has for his new bride. The Zohar gives a mashal of a man who loved a woman who lived near the tanner's market. The smell, which permeated the area was putrid and this man would never have considered going near that place, but because of his great love for the woman, the smell seemed to him like the most fragrant perfumes in the world. He couldn't wait to go there. So too it is with us. Even though we live in places of great impurity, which give off the most foul spiritual odors, places the Shechina would never want to rest its presence in, however because of Hashem's great love for us, it seems to Him like we are in the places with the most beautiful fragrances. Hashem is always with us, even at times when we are distant and even at times when we feel abandoned.
We will always be Hashem's bride, no matter how tamei our environment becomes. We should always feel close to Hashem and comfortable turning to Him at all times.
Shabbat Shalom!