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Daily Chizuk #1572
Holidays / Yamim Tovim
Kapara for the World: The Death of a Tzaddik
The tragedy that has just struck our community has affected the entire Klal Yisrael. On Shabbat Kodesh, Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan, our world was shaken.
Three holy nishamot ascended to Gan Eden Ha'Elyon as korbanot olat. נסתרים דרכי ה. The ways of HaShem are beyond us.
From our vantage point, we see tragedy, we see pain and suffering, and we see difficult days ahead. In shamayim, there's a completely different picture, one in which we are not privy to see. The Navi tells us, the day will come when בלע המות לנצח ומחה ה' אלקים דמעה מעל כל פנים, death will cease and HaShem will wipe away all of our tears.
The Gemara says this means that HaShem, with all of His splendor and glory, will personally console every individual for all of the tragedies and hardships that they had to suffer in this world. At that time, He will explain how it was all done with love and mercy, and then we will be fully consoled. For now, we look toward the Torah for guidance.
The Torah tells us that on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, at one of the happiest times in all of history, the inauguration of the Mishkan, two of the greatest tzaddikim of the time were taken. It was a year like this, in that Rosh Chodesh Nisan fell out on the first day of the week. HaShem said, בקרבי אקדש-His name becomes sanctified by taking the ones that are closest to him. We have no concept of what the death of tzaddikim accomplishes.
We do know that it elevates the name of HaShem. We do know that it atones for us, and we do know that it brings us closer to the Geula, but there's so much that we don't know. As far as we are concerned, the Torah tells us, וכל בית ישראל יבכו את השרפה, we are to feel the pain of the mourners and cry along with them.
We want so badly for them to have consolation. It's hard for us to go through our regular day now without thinking about this tragedy. This is one of our strengths.
We share in the burden of our friend's pain. The Gemara says כל המרחם על הבריות מרחמין עליו מן השמים, simply this means whoever shows compassion to others is treated compassionately by HaShem. The Rishner Rebbe, however, explained this line a little differently.
When a person deals compassionately with his friend in pain, then HaShem gives extra compassion to that person in pain. By sharing some of his burden, we are able to alleviate his pain.
Now is the time of year that is the most auspicious for Geula. If the Jewish people at large become awakened to improve in their service of HaShem, be'ezrat Hashem this will be the last thing that we need for the Masiach to come. May HaShem console the mourners and console all of us, and may the family be reunited speedily with the coming of the Masiach soon. Amen!!
Three holy nishamot ascended to Gan Eden Ha'Elyon as korbanot olat. נסתרים דרכי ה. The ways of HaShem are beyond us.
From our vantage point, we see tragedy, we see pain and suffering, and we see difficult days ahead. In shamayim, there's a completely different picture, one in which we are not privy to see. The Navi tells us, the day will come when בלע המות לנצח ומחה ה' אלקים דמעה מעל כל פנים, death will cease and HaShem will wipe away all of our tears.
The Gemara says this means that HaShem, with all of His splendor and glory, will personally console every individual for all of the tragedies and hardships that they had to suffer in this world. At that time, He will explain how it was all done with love and mercy, and then we will be fully consoled. For now, we look toward the Torah for guidance.
The Torah tells us that on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, at one of the happiest times in all of history, the inauguration of the Mishkan, two of the greatest tzaddikim of the time were taken. It was a year like this, in that Rosh Chodesh Nisan fell out on the first day of the week. HaShem said, בקרבי אקדש-His name becomes sanctified by taking the ones that are closest to him. We have no concept of what the death of tzaddikim accomplishes.
We do know that it elevates the name of HaShem. We do know that it atones for us, and we do know that it brings us closer to the Geula, but there's so much that we don't know. As far as we are concerned, the Torah tells us, וכל בית ישראל יבכו את השרפה, we are to feel the pain of the mourners and cry along with them.
We want so badly for them to have consolation. It's hard for us to go through our regular day now without thinking about this tragedy. This is one of our strengths.
We share in the burden of our friend's pain. The Gemara says כל המרחם על הבריות מרחמין עליו מן השמים, simply this means whoever shows compassion to others is treated compassionately by HaShem. The Rishner Rebbe, however, explained this line a little differently.
When a person deals compassionately with his friend in pain, then HaShem gives extra compassion to that person in pain. By sharing some of his burden, we are able to alleviate his pain.
Now is the time of year that is the most auspicious for Geula. If the Jewish people at large become awakened to improve in their service of HaShem, be'ezrat Hashem this will be the last thing that we need for the Masiach to come. May HaShem console the mourners and console all of us, and may the family be reunited speedily with the coming of the Masiach soon. Amen!!
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