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Date Posted: 23:02:19 12/11/12 Tue
Author: d
Subject: fb279

Daily Lift by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
#666 Learn to Cheer Up Others

The Chafetz Chaim wrote: "When you see that someone is sad, there is an obligation to try to console him. This is a fulfillment of the mitzvah (good deed) of comforting mourners, which includes helping anyone overcome emotional suffering."

For this reason, even if you do not become sad easily, still try to find beneficial ideas for overcoming sadness. Although you might not need them, others will -- and you will be doing an act of kindness by helping them.

(Ahavas Chesed 2:2; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.183)


See Rabbi Pliskin's new book "Life Is Now"




28 Kislev

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chizkiyah Da Silva, commonly known as the Pri Chadash, the name of the commentary he authored on the Code of Jewish Law. He was born in Italy and at age 20 traveled to Jerusalem to further his studies. He died in 1698 at the age of 39, and is buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. (Two centuries later, the illustrious Ohr HaChaim asked to be buried next to him.) Till today, "Pri Chadash" is printed in the standard edition of the Code of Jewish Law and is widely studied by rabbinic scholars.



28 Kislev

The mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights begins with sunset (Shabbos 21b).

Chanukah commemorates both physical and spiritual triumphs. Israel had been politically, that is physically, under the domination of the Greek-Syrians, and the Hellenist culture was jeopardizing the spirituality of Judaism. The miracle of Chanukah, which occurred at one of the darkest moments in Jewish history, should remind us that no matter how bleak life may appear, whether in a physical or spiritual sense, we should never abandon hope. Hence, we commemorate Chanukah in the evening, when it is just beginning to get dark.

We might ask, "Why light the candles at dusk? Why not wait until it is completely dark, when the candles will shine their brightest and banish the total darkness?"

In my work with alcoholics, I often hear that "one does not recover until one hits rock bottom." However, the changes that may occur on the way to rock bottom are often so irreversible and catastrophic that rehabilitation programs put in much effort and ingenuity to intervene at an earlier stage.

We light the Chanukah candles when the sky is just beginning to get dark, instead of waiting for complete darkness. Our action teaches us when we should combat moral and spiritual deterioration - at the very first indication that it is occurring. Delaying action until the latter has occurred may be too costly.


Today I shall ...
... try to identify the very earliest signs of weakening and make an effort to avoid deterioration.

See more books by Rabbi Abraham Twerski at Artscroll.com


28 Kislev

Maoz Tzur

I remember singing Maoz Tzur as a child during Chanukah. What does this song mean, and how does it go?
The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The first two words of the song, "Maoz Tzur," mean "Stronghold of Rock," a reference to God. The song goes on to describe the various oppressors who have risen against the Jewish people (Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, Antiochus), and how they have ultimately all been defeated. The song also expresses our wish for the final redemption.

The popular melody is associated with an old German folk-song "So weiss ich eins," dating back to the 15th century. You can hear it sung at: http://www.aish.com/h/c/mm/s/48970856.html#song2

Here are the words:

Maoz tzur yeshua-si

Lecha na-eh li-sha-beyach

Tikone bais ti-fee-lasi

Vi-sham todah ni-za-beyach.

Li-ase ta-chin mat-beyach

Mee-tzar ham-na-beyach

Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor

Chanukas ha-meez-beyach

Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor

Chanukas ha-meez-beyach.

(Translation)

O Rock of my salvation, with delight we praise You.

Restore the Temple where we will bring offerings.

When You will eliminate our enemies,

Then I shall sing at the rededication.

Have a happy Chanukah!



Featured at Aish.com

* Racing Home: A Hanukkah Surprise
* 8 Fascinating facts about Hanukkah
* Out of the Darkness


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