This Shabbat, we study the Parshah Devarim, meaning “the words” (Deuteronomy 1:1). Moses begins his repetition of the Torah to the assembled children of Israel, reviewing the events that occurred and the laws that were given in the course of their forty-year journey from Egypt to Sinai to the Promised Land, rebuking the people for their failings and iniquities, and enjoining them to keep the Torah and observe its commandments in the land that G-d is giving them as an eternal heritage, into which they shall cross after his death.

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Moses also recounts some more recent events involving the nations of Moab and Ammon; the wars against the Emorite Kings Sichon and Og and the settlement of their lands by the tribes of Reuben and Gad and part of the tribe of Manasseh. Moses’ message to his successor, Joshua, who will take the people into the Land and lead them in the battles for its conquest, is: “Fear them not, for the L-rd your G-d, He shall fight for you.” May this message resonate today to our brave IDF! 

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The Three Weeks is an annual mourning period that falls out in the summer. This is when we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and our launch into a still-ongoing exile. It reaches its climax and concludes with the fast of the 9^th of Av, the date when both Holy Temples were set aflame. This is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, and it is also the date that many other tragedies befell our people. This year the fast begins on Monday, August 12 at sunset and ends on Tuesday, August 13 at sunset. 

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There are various mourning-related customs and observances that are followed. For details, visit Chabad.org or ask an Orthodox rabbi. However, there is more to the 9^th of Av than fasting and lamenting. Our sages tell us that those who mourn the destruction of Jerusalem will merit seeing it rebuilt with the coming of Moshiach. Furthermore, through learning about the structure, function and significance of the Holy Temple at this time of year, it's as if we are actually rebuilding it.

May that day come soon, and then all the mournful dates on the calendar will be transformed into days of tremendous joy and happiness.

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Maimonides placed the agency of every human being at the tipping point of the entire universe.

When you make a moral decision, the entire universe is involved in that decision and in its consequences.

The size of the deed is not what matters. It is, after all, only a catalyst. One miligram can tip a scale. One small deed could be enough to ignite a process to change the entire world. One small opening is all that’s needed, and the rest will heal itself.

Whatever you do, do it with the conviction that this is the one last fine adjustment, the tipping point for the entire world.

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Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

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We must show absolute faith in G-d and His promise, that the entire Land of Israel belongs to the People of Israel! We must not be afraid to inform the nations of the world, clearly and unequivocally, that the Land of Israel is Israel’s eternal legacy. “Should the people of the world say to Israel, ‘You are robbers, because you took by force the lands of the seven nations (of Canaan),’ they can respond to them: ‘The whole earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He. He created it and He gave it to whom He saw fit. (The Land of Israel) was given to (the nations) by His Will, and by His Will He took it from them and gave it to us!’” (Rashi on Genesis 1:1). When we shall demonstrate this true and absolute faith in G-d, we shall merit immediately the promise “No one will contest this, and there will be no more wars nor the need for any weapons”: “I shall break from the earth the bow, the sword and warfare, and I shall make them lie down securely” (Hosea 2:20).

From an article by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet

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I am grateful to Rav Asher Weiss for bringing to my attention the Talmudic passage where Rabbi Eliezer ben Azariah asks, “I wonder if there is anyone in this generation who knows how to rebuke?”

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It’s easy to criticize. Some people seem to do it quite naturally. But being critical of others requires deep wisdom, sensitivity, respect, and consideration. We cannot just “fly off the handle” and let rip. G-d forbid! Embarrassing and putting people to shame publicly is not only a grave offense in its own right, but it will more than likely fail to achieve the desired purpose. On the contrary, after such a royal dressing-down, the offended offender will probably only go back to his old ways with a vengeance.

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To be effective, criticism must be constructive. If we allow it to become a personal attack or vendetta it will only fan the fires of dissension. It may not be done in public and must be dispensed very gently. The Torah teaches us that while it is a mitzvah to admonish someone who behaves inappropriately, it must be done with tremendous respect and understanding, lest it cause the rebuker to himself commit a sin by embarrassing the person he is rebuking.

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On the other hand, the same section in the Talmud also quotes Rabbi Tarfon who asked, “I wonder if there is anyone in this generation who knows how to accept rebuke.”

We need to be wise and sensitive to give rebuke, and we also need to be intelligent and humble to accept rebuke.

My late mother, of blessed memory, had a genuine, natural talent. She was able to tell it like it was, and she could criticize people without causing them to become defensive or angry. How? Because she did it with such genuine sincerity and love. The recipients knew that she was right, and that she meant it for their own good. She always remained the best of friends with the people she had reprimanded.

How I wish I had her gift!

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These are the words which Moses spoke to all of Israel.

The Seer of Lublin said that Moshe speaks to all of Israel, then and now. Each of us can learn from Moshe. In all our criticisms, to be constructive, gentle, subtle, and sensitive. As to knowing how to receive and accept criticism with wisdom, humility, and even-temperedness, the Previous Rebbe said in the name of his father, the Rebbe Rashab, “Cherish criticism because it will raise you up to new heights.”

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At the end of the day, did anyone sum it up better than King Solomon?

Do not chastise a fool, lest he hate you. Chastise a wise man, and he will love you.

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From an article by Rabbi Yossy Goldman 

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