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Daily Chizuk #1278
Weekly Parasha
Gates of Gratitude: Opening Blessings through Thanks
Parashat Vayigash
Asara B’Tevet
Today is Asarah B'Tevet, a public fast day, the same day that Nebuchadnezzar's army sieged Yerushalayim, which ultimately led to the destruction of the first Bet HaMikdash.
The Abudarham writes that this fast is unique compared with other fasts mentioned by the Nevi'im. The reason is because if they would fall out on Shabbat, they would be pushed off. But if Asarah B'Tevet would fall out on Shabbat, we would fast even on Shabbat, like Yom Kippur. This is because the Navi says, regarding Asarah B'Tevet, we must fast בעצם היום הזה - on that very day.
We need to understand why this is so. After all, Asarah B'Tevet was just the beginning of the siege. It took another two and a half years for them to destroy the Bet HaMikdash. If Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the actual Churban, doesn't override Shabbat, why would Asarah B'Tevet be stricter?
It's true that, in practice, Asarah B'Tevet will never fall out on Shabbat, but it does fall out on Friday. And hence, we are fasting today, going into Shabbat, rather than pushing off the fast.
The Chatam Sofer explained, it is on Asarah B'Tevet that the Heavenly Court decides the fate of the Bet HaMikdash each and every year. On the year in which it was destroyed, it was on Asarah B'Tevet that the final verdict was given. And every year, the Heavenly Court reassembles on this day and reassesses if the Bet HaMikdash should remain destroyed.
We know, in general, we're not allowed to fast on Shabbat because we have a mitzvah of oneg Shabbat, taking delight in the day. However, if someone is disturbed by a dream that he had on Lel Shabbat, and he wants to fast on Shabbat because of it, he's allowed to. Since the fast has the power to overturn something negative, and it will relieve the person's distress, the fast is considered oneg Shabbat for him more than eating.
This means there is so much riding on this day of Asarah B'Tevet. And at this time especially, we are yearning for the Mashiach, and we should take advantage of the day with extra tefila and teshuva.
Every single person's avoda counts. The Mesilat Yesharim writes in perek 19 that a person should never say, “Who am I to pray for the Geula and the rebuilding of the Bet HaMikdash?” Because every single person has their own share in avodat Hashem. And what one person could accomplish, nobody else in the world could do. It is only a compilation of every single person's avoda and tefila that is going to merit the rebuilding of the Bet HaMikdash.
The Mesilat Yesharim writes further that the requesting of the Geula serves a purpose in its own right. Hashem wants us to want Him to reveal His glory and show the world who He is. The fact that we're interested in Hashem's kavod is a great avoda and something we should strive to want. Today is the perfect day to request it. The Beit Din in Shamayim is in session right now and every person's tefila will help. May we be zocheh to the fulfillment of the pasuk, כה אמר יהוה צבאות צום הרביעי וצום החמישי וצום השביעי וצום העשירי יהיה לבית יהודה לששון ולשמחה ולמועדים טובים.
Shabbat Shalom!!
Asara B’Tevet
Today is Asarah B'Tevet, a public fast day, the same day that Nebuchadnezzar's army sieged Yerushalayim, which ultimately led to the destruction of the first Bet HaMikdash.
The Abudarham writes that this fast is unique compared with other fasts mentioned by the Nevi'im. The reason is because if they would fall out on Shabbat, they would be pushed off. But if Asarah B'Tevet would fall out on Shabbat, we would fast even on Shabbat, like Yom Kippur. This is because the Navi says, regarding Asarah B'Tevet, we must fast בעצם היום הזה - on that very day.
We need to understand why this is so. After all, Asarah B'Tevet was just the beginning of the siege. It took another two and a half years for them to destroy the Bet HaMikdash. If Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the actual Churban, doesn't override Shabbat, why would Asarah B'Tevet be stricter?
It's true that, in practice, Asarah B'Tevet will never fall out on Shabbat, but it does fall out on Friday. And hence, we are fasting today, going into Shabbat, rather than pushing off the fast.
The Chatam Sofer explained, it is on Asarah B'Tevet that the Heavenly Court decides the fate of the Bet HaMikdash each and every year. On the year in which it was destroyed, it was on Asarah B'Tevet that the final verdict was given. And every year, the Heavenly Court reassembles on this day and reassesses if the Bet HaMikdash should remain destroyed.
We know, in general, we're not allowed to fast on Shabbat because we have a mitzvah of oneg Shabbat, taking delight in the day. However, if someone is disturbed by a dream that he had on Lel Shabbat, and he wants to fast on Shabbat because of it, he's allowed to. Since the fast has the power to overturn something negative, and it will relieve the person's distress, the fast is considered oneg Shabbat for him more than eating.
This means there is so much riding on this day of Asarah B'Tevet. And at this time especially, we are yearning for the Mashiach, and we should take advantage of the day with extra tefila and teshuva.
Every single person's avoda counts. The Mesilat Yesharim writes in perek 19 that a person should never say, “Who am I to pray for the Geula and the rebuilding of the Bet HaMikdash?” Because every single person has their own share in avodat Hashem. And what one person could accomplish, nobody else in the world could do. It is only a compilation of every single person's avoda and tefila that is going to merit the rebuilding of the Bet HaMikdash.
The Mesilat Yesharim writes further that the requesting of the Geula serves a purpose in its own right. Hashem wants us to want Him to reveal His glory and show the world who He is. The fact that we're interested in Hashem's kavod is a great avoda and something we should strive to want. Today is the perfect day to request it. The Beit Din in Shamayim is in session right now and every person's tefila will help. May we be zocheh to the fulfillment of the pasuk, כה אמר יהוה צבאות צום הרביעי וצום החמישי וצום השביעי וצום העשירי יהיה לבית יהודה לששון ולשמחה ולמועדים טובים.
Shabbat Shalom!!
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