Tuesday, 22nd of Teveth, 5775

Sefirot Combination:

Tuesday is the third day of Week 17 and the seventeenth day of the cycle of Tiferet (Balance/Beauty), Tiferet shebeTiferet shebeTiferet, Balance/Beauty within Balance/Beauty within Balance/Beauty.

Alef-Bet/Psalms:

Tuesday is also the sixth day of the sixth 22-day cycle of the year, related to the letters Kaf and Lamed. The following excerpts from Chapters 112 and 119 of the Book of Psalms are connected to the sixth letter, the Vav:

Psalm 112:

... and his righteousness endures forever.

וְצִדְקָתוֹ עֹמֶדֶת לָעַד:

Psalm 119:

46. And I shall speak of Your testimonies in the presence of kings, and I shall not be ashamed.

מו. וַאֲדַבְּרָה בְעֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶגֶד מְלָכִים וְלֹא אֵבוֹשׁ:


Daily Lessons:

Psalms for day 22: 106 and 107. These Psalms list the series of mistakes made by the Jewish people throughout their wanderings through the desert, and Hashem's mercy (in Kabbalah, the sefirah of Tiferet also symbolizes Rachamim, mercy) patience throughout. The Psalms are call to rejoice and appreciate all that Hashem did (and does) for us.

Hayom Yom for the 22nd of Teveth: The Friederker Rebbe quotes his father on the need for every person (whether learned or not) to spend half an hour a day thinking about the Torah-education of one's children and to do everything in one's power to make sure they follow the proper path.

Chumash for Tuesday, 3rd Aliyah of Vaera: The Torah portion returns to the conversation between Hashem and Moshe, in which Moshe shows concerns over his ability to speak to Pharaoh and convince him. Hashem states that he is appointing Moshe as an "Elohim" over Pharaoh and Aharon as Moshe's "Navi." "Elokim" usually means G-d, but can also mean judge, and "Navi" usually means prophet, but in this case means interpreter. (Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk that such comparisons of Moshe to G-d, although somewhat false, were important to get Pharaoh to realize the stupidity of his own belief that he was a god. Many times tzadikim have to act in ways that are below their stature to get others to repent).

Hashem also speaks of how Pharaoh will not listen in order for Him to enact great judgements. Rashi comments that the judgements are also to get the Jewish people to "hear and fear." This appears to be a true act of mercy on the part of Hashem. This way, the Jewish people repent and are spared, no longer requiring to receive punishments themselves.

Rambam, Hilchot Talmud Torah - Chapter One: Maimonides starts delineating the the laws of studying Torah, and the mitzvah of teaching Torah to children, grandchildren, and to all the Jewish people. The Rambam also writes about the laws of hiring a tutor, as well as what exactly we are supposed to learn (1/3 Written Torah, 1/3 Oral Torah, and 1/3 "Gemara). Torah itself is related to the Sefirah of Tiferet. (It is worth noting how well the Rambam ties into the Hayom Yom for today)

Tanya, Chapter 14 (Ending): The Alter Rebbe now explains why before entering the body, the soul makes a double oath which seems redundant: "Be a Tzadik and do not be a Rasha." Because not everyone has the capacity to abhor sin and delight in G-d like the Tzadik, those people are told that if they cannot be a Tzadik, at the very least they should not be a Rasha. Everyone has the potential not to sin at all, even when it comes to the difficult commandment of not wasting time that could be spent on learning Torah. The Alter Rebbe states, however, that even the people that cannot be a Tzadik, should nevertheless attempt to fulfill that part of the oath as well, to the extent possible. They should use tools/meditations that lead them to think material pleasures are disgusting, and also habit may create a "second nature." Delight in G-d can also be attained, even if such delight is somewhat "imaginary." A person must do his/her part, and may even merit receiving the impregnation of another soul (Ibur), which is of a Tzadik.


News:

World: Al Qaida in Yemen claims responsibility for Paris terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. A new issue of the magazine comes out, with a picture of Muhammad with a tear in his eye and a sign, "Je suis Charlie." On top it is written, "Tout est Pardone'," all is forgiven.

Personal: Setting up a time for my son's Torah education tutoring. Incredible parallel with Hayom Yom and Rambam chapter. Also taught a class at K-Space, which was really an honor and a privilege.