The balanced Tiferet of Devora manifests in the multiplicity of roles in which she excelled. She was a brilliant judge, a prophetess, wealthy, and a wise, caring, and successful wife. The Gemara (Megilla 14, Yalkut Shimoni) teaches that her marriage had the potential for disaster since she was a learned and scholarly woman, but her husband was ignorant of Torah, and was in the world of the army. She bridged this gap early in their marriage by preparing wicks for the Menorah of the Mishkan, and sending her husband to deliver them. In this way, she prayed that he would come in contact with the Tzaddikim and Talmidei Chachamim, who would have a good influence on her husband. Her devotion to him bonded them so, and he would go no where without her. 

Tiferet is about beauty. Devora counseled and judged the entire nation, but did so in an open field, under a palm tree, in order to avoid the prohibition of Yichud and thus preserve the dignity of Tzniyut (Yalkut Shimoni Shoftim 42). The true and wholesome beauty of a Jew is only in the banner of Tzniyut.  

Tiferet is Torah learning, and we see that Torah is for every Jew, man, and woman. Rav Hirsch says that Devora was a woman of fiery enthusiasm, who used her talents to inspire Jews to cleave to Hashem.  

The final Neviim instructed us to read the story and song of Devora once a year, as the Haftara for Parshat Beshalach, which contains the Az Yashir song of the Yam Suf. The Mechilta (Beshalach 6) says that Devora joined Dovid Hamelech and Moshe Rabbeinu as the unique ones who sang praises to Hashem after miraculous deliverance. Singing is different than davening, praising or speaking. It is a fundamental joyous connecting. Song reaches into the innermost recesses of our being. It is healing, it is wholesome. This is Tiferet. The Zohar reveals that the song of Devora and the song of Chana were higher than any song of praise created by any man who ever lived. The words that Devora used were from the highest place accessible to a created being. This is Tiferet.   

As Yaakov Avinu represents Tiferet and shares with us the entire gamut of human experience, so does Devora. The Gemara in Megilla says that Devora got a bit carried away with herself as she experienced the song of joy, and she praised herself. Immediately the strict Din held in reserve for the elite righteous came into power, and her spirit of prophesy was removed. She then had to cry out, Uri Uri Devora, wake up, wake up Devora, come back to the correct balance of things. Only then did her Nevua resume. 

Not many names are repeated in Tanach- we have one Avraham, one Yitzchak, one Sara etc. when a name is reused, it is significant. The name Devora is one of these recycled names, and interestingly enough, the first time Devora is mentioned is in context with the return of Yaakov Avinu to Eretz Yisrael. Later in Nach, the name again is used for the Nevia Devora, who shares the same Middah of Tiferet as Yaakov Avinu. 

The first day of Tiferet always coincides with the first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar. The B’nai Yissasschar teaches that Iyar is the primary month of total healing- spiritual, emotional and physical. This is reflected in the letters of the name Iyar which are the first letters of the Passuk Ani Hashem Rof’echa, Hashem is our Healer.  

The healing of Iyar and of the week of Tiferet is from the inside out, it is based on the principle that our King Dovid taught- all dis-ease is a result of a deviation from some fundamental Torah principle, attitude, or mood. The Sefira allows us the time to focus on what aspect of life needs healing and balance, and then to daven that Hashem help in that specific area. 

As we saw last week, the seven days of Tiferet are each reserved for a different aspect of Tiferet. Chesed of Tiferet reminds us that what ever shade of Tiferet we are working on should be done in a loving, generous, energetic, and spontaneous way. Gevura of Tiferet reminds us to approach the fixing of Tiferet with inner strength, commitment, in an organized well thought out manner. Tiferet of Tiferet is the strongest day of healing, honesty, balance, and beauty. Netzach of Tiferet is about being consistent in our goals of inner healing, in our setting aside time to learn Torah, and in our being scrupulously honest in self examination. It is about bringing healing into our lives on a permanent basis.Hod of Tiferet is about having the humility to see how much Hashem has blessed us with in giving us His Torah. It is about feeling the needs of others who are also seeking balance, health, and spirituality. It is a day to remember never to judge anyone with an infirmity of body or of soul.Yesod of Tiferet is about health in our relationships with others. It is about bringing the theoretical healing forces and Torah forces into our real life. It is about reconnecting to the fundamental point of soul, the essential perfect neshama. Malchus of Tiferet offers the opportunity to bring torah and healing into our selves in a dignified way, a way that empowers. It is the day to daven for Tiferet and harmony, for ourselves and our Nation.  

All the above work might seem unattainable, and on a certain level, it is impossible for us to acquire all these necessary basic tools of healthy living in one week. That is why at the end of each night’s Sefira counting, as we begin the Sefira day, we say the Tefilla begging Hashem to do the fixing each day of the appropriate Middah. Without this Heavenly help, we can do nothing. Thus, the aspect of Malchus Tefilla is inherent in each day of the Omer. 

It is interesting to look back at each day, and to see the events and interactions that were sprinkled through our day that reflected the Sefira of the day. This is another of the infinite gifts of Hashgacha Pratit that make up the life of the Jew. On a global level, it is also fascinating to see the different world events dominating each week. 

Hashem should bless us all to see the revelation of His Geula, now, as the seasons sweeten into spring. May the Goel Tzedek come to each person and to the entire Nation and begin to reveal the Chesed Elyon in every day of our life. 

GOOD SHABBOS, SHABBAT SHALOM, CHODESH TOV 

Gevura of Gevura

BSD SEFIRAT HAOMER 5767 YERUSHALAYIM IH’K

                                              GEVURA SHE’B’GEVURA

From the sefer Usefartem Lachem by R’ Frish

Gevura entails concentration, focused thinking. It is also connected to the fear and awe we see in life, in creation. Therefore, taking time to meditate ( Gevura) on all the powerful, awesome, sometimes frightening things  (Gevura) that happen in life, and in the world is appropriate on Gevura of Gevura.. World wide changes in weather patterns are shifting, creating severe (Gevura) living conditions all over the planet. The Gemara tells us that thunder was only created to soften the heart of a person, to help a person have awe and fear of Hashem and thus behave correctly.

Using the little fears and anxieties and stresses (Gevura) of life to remind us to turn to Hashem and live life as He has commanded (Gevura) is an aspect of Gevura of Gevura.

Focus your thoughts (Gevura) for a few minutes on having a respectful attitude towards the Rabanim who have dedicated their lives to teaching Torah to the Jewish People. We are taught that honoring and fearing (Gevura) Hashem is extended to respecting true Tzaddikim and true Torah scholars.

Overcome (Gevura) any thought, word or activity that is harmful for your soul- this will strengthen you (Gevura) for the future. Do this not only for your own personal development but to honor Hashem ( Gevura) , by making your life a Kiddush Hashem and allowing others to see your way of life and come closer to their own souls.

Overcome (Gevura) the need, desire and tendency to answer back harshly to someone who has wronged you (Gevura). Realize that it is from Hashem, and that the person is only a shaliach, an emissary of Hashem. It is Hashem Who wants you to hear the criticism- and the person was chosen for whatever reasons to be the mouthpiece. This is a hard one- but in realizing that Hashem speaks to us constantly, through people, places and events, we become closer to Hashem and begin the work of soul repair and elevation.

Be strong and stubborn (Gevura) when it is appropriate, and of course daven to Hashem to be able to discern when that time and situation is truly in need of Gevura.

Focus (Gevura) on what you  need to do today, make a list (Gevura)  if you need to, and get the jobs done Gevura) .

When asserting yourself (Gevura), do so because it is commanded by Hashem (Gevura) and not just because it is your nature to be tough and focused.

Strength, restraint, focus, clarity, organization, details, speech, the left side of the body, noontime, the Bracha of Re’eh Na Beanyainu ( See our suffering and help us ) in Shemoneh Esray, the Tefilat Mincha, our ancestor Yitzchak and his wife Rivka, the prophetess and teacher Miriam and the Divine name Elokim are all related to the Sefira of Gevura.  

Have a powerful day!

GEVURA

BSD

SEFIRAT HA’OMER  YERUSHALAYIM IH’K   

                                                      GEVURAThe first day of Pesach is a gift of light and revelation above the ability of a Jew to achieve alone. It is an Afikoman present, and has to do with a level of Divine love far beyond human comprehension. This love, and its expression into our soul is the result of the existential connection between our Nation and Hashem. It is how we were created, and comes from Above. But since Hashem knows that a human can’t really enjoy a free ride, He gives us the next seven weeks to recreate that love and bond with him, with our efforts here below. The first time we lived through the seven weeks of Sefirat Ha’Omer was in the desert with our Rebbe, Moshe. We received daily instruction as to the energy of the day, the avoda of the day, the tikun of the day. For each day of the forty  nine days of working was imbued with a specific quality and taste. Each day had its own unique flavor for success, and all the Jew needed to do was to tap in to the correct aspect of the day, and the tikun would become available. Nowadays, we have the remnant of this Avoda, with the daily count of Omer and its specific Sefira.  

The idea of specific spiritual energies that appear at specific times was most recently incorporated into daily Jewish life by the Alter Rebbe who quotes the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching of living with the times. This is most often translated into studying  the weekly Torah reading of Parshat Hashavua and seeing the daily messages and hints for practical and spiritual life. This is further substantiated by a teaching of the Rashbam, pointed out by Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh in his sefer on Chinuch called Panim El Panim. In Beraishis 37:2, the Rashbam, who was a grandson of Rashi, writes:     The eyes and light of the Exile, my grandfather Rabbi Shlomo, tried to remain faithful to simple Pshat      in his explanation of Torah, and so too have I. Yet my grandfather told me that had he the time, he would     write another explanation of Torah based on the unique changes and specific events that occur day by day.  

The seven weeks of Omer are parallel exactly to the seven Sefirot. What are these Sefirot, upon which so much Kabala and Avoda rest? The Sefer Yitzirah relates the Sefirot to the words Sefer (text), Sefar (number) and Sippur (story). Rav Aryeh Kaplan, in his translation and explanation of Sefer Yetzirah explains that the Sefirot refer to the way Hashem has set the world up, in the dimensions we re familiar with- space, time and spirit.  

For us, the seven Sefirot relate to the seven emotions that rule a person. These seven emotions of the heart are CHESED, GEVURA, TIRERET, NETZACH, HOD, YESOD AND MALCHUT. They parallel the seven days of the week, the seven original days of creation, the seven female prophetesses, the seven years of Shmittah, the seven days of Sukkot and Pesach. In fact, all things of this world are related and find source in the seven Sefirot.  

We are now in the second week of Sefirat Ha’Omer, the week of Gevura. Gevura is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the Sefirot. Gevura is translated as strict justice, din, strength. Gevura is the partner or compliment of Chesed, unconditional unrestricted love and acceptance. In the Chesed-Gevura duo, Chesed is the more preferred while Gevura often is shunned, feared, and avoided.  

Each of the Sefirot is represented in Torah by that person who typifies and humanizes the Midot. Chesed is represented by Avraham Avinu, and his son Yitzchak Avinu represents and is the archetype of Gevura. The raw power of Gevura is such that Yitzchak Avinu is never mentioned alone in any of the Parshiyot of the Torah. He is either sweetened by Avraham Avinu Chesed or tempered by Yaakov Avinu Tiferes. The universe as it presently stands cannot tolerate pure unadulterated Gevura. The Medrash teaches that Hashem originally wanted to create the world using Middat Din alone, but saw that this would not work, and therefore incorporated Middat Rachamim into the fabric of creation. 

The days of the week are exactly parallel to the Sefirot. Yom Rishon Sunday is Chesed, Sheini, Monday is Gevura etc. until finally Shabbos is Malchut. In western society, Monday is the first day back to work, and Monday morning blues are a common ailment. 

What is the Avoda of the week of Gevura, and what are its redeeming qualities? 

Gevura parallels the second day of creation, when the Rakia-Firmament was created. According to Rashi, the heavens with their multi levels had been created on the first day, but were unstable, borderless, and amorphous. Rakia was that portion of sky or atmosphere that separated the upper waters of heaven from the lower waters of the cosmos, giving both world states their own definition and boundary. The boundless Chesed of day one of creation pulsated with the overwhelming love that Hashem had in originally creating a creation. We are taught that Hashem created this universe for the express purpose of allowing the created universe to experience pleasure, with the ultimate pleasure being the closeness to its Creator. This love is boundless, as it is smothering. If Hashem did not restrain Himself, and had flooded the creation with His boundless Light, there would be no room for creation to exist. Therefore, as another Chesed, Hashem created the Middah of Gevura- restraint, so that the world could experience Hashem’s great Light without being destroyed. That Middah that allows another being room to exist by holding itself back comes from Gevura. Gevura is therefore another manifestation of Chesed- it is itself a sweetening of Chesed, enabling Chesed to be experienced. 

At its root, Gevura is actually higher then chesed. The Torah and Hashem Himself are called Gevura. Yet, as with each of the sefirot and Midot, their manifestation and refraction into this world makes them appear often quite different from their Source. So, Gevura sometimes appears in the form of strict justice, power, and strength.Yet, Gevura is that force that gives definition to a person, it is  that energy which organizes and clarifies. Gevura makes a person think about just how they need to most constructively give their love, and in what proportion and amount. It is Gevura that prevents a parent from feeding their children a diet consisting exclusively of candy, and it is Gevura that helps a person stop smoking. Gevura forces a person to keep healthy borders with the world, and Gevura compels a person to evaluate life goals. Gevura mercilessly questions a person on their definition of self, and is at the forefront in the battle with ego. And Gevura is that inner point of self from which Mesirut Nefesh is born. 

The Ramban teaches that Gevura is the most mysterious and mystical of the Sefirot. He says that the creation of day two, Rakia, was that which separates the totally physical creation with the totally spiritual creation. This created separation is something that,”Those who understand are forbidden to reveal and those who do not understand are forbidden to speculate about”. Clearly, Gevura has an aspect that human minds cannot totally comprehend. Built into this is the necessary Emuna that all is good, all is for the best, and that Gevura is actually the sister and soul mate of Chesed. 

Gevura is connected to Techiyas Hameisim, the re-enlivening of the dead. Yitzchak Avinu, Gevura personified, in the ultimate actual demonstration of Gevura, restrains the main human instinct to preserve life. He allows himself to be bound and prepares to be sacrificed. Chazal teach that his Neshama actually left his body, and then it was restored. He therefore is the first case of Techiyas Hameisim. The second Bracha of the Shemoneh Esray, which is called Gevuros (Ata Gibbor…), is parallel to Yitzchak Avinu and it is in this Bracha that we reaffirm our belief in the revival of the dead. Gevura therefore is connected to reawakening a sleeping life force and pushing it out of bed and back into the world of the living. 

Techiyas Hameisim is about having the corrected soul aligned properly with the corrected body. It is about returning to what was, returning root to root. The soul is a Chelek Eloka MiMaal Mamesh as the Tanya teaches. It is an actual part of God. It always longs to return to God. The soul is ever striving upward, and is compared to a flame, defying gravity and falling upward to its source. Chazal teach that the Torah hints to Techiyas Hameisim in the Song of the Sea, sung by Moshe Rabbeinu and the Jewish Nation after the miraculous splitting of the Yam Suf. There, the Passuk says, Az Yashir Moshe U’Venai Yisrael, then the Jews and Moshe will sing to Hashem. The fact that the future tense of Yashir is used instead of the past tense of Shar, sang, is a hint to Techiyas Hameisim. In the future, Moshe Rabbeinu and the Jews will sing again to thank Hashem for the Geula Habaa Aleinu Achshav. At the Kriyas Yam Suf, we are told that the lower waters rose and stood like a wall, and the Rakia allowed these lower waters to once again unite with the upper waters. We are taught that this is the great longing of all the waters of the world- to reunite with their original water-mates of the upper worlds. This happened at Kriyas Yam Suf, and that is why it is a Segula to read the Shiras Hayam when searching for a soul mate. In this Zivug of lower and upper water reuniting, the aspect that needed to be accessed was Gevura, to allow the necessary space for this meeting. The lower waters had to go against their own nature, and flow upward. The power and permission, actually the command, was issued and the sea split, the Jews walked through, the enemies were defeated and Gevura was vindicated. 

We are graciously given an entire week to contemplate and actualize Gevura in our lives. Each Middah of the Sefirot takes place over the span of seven days, in order for us to incorporate every aspect of every Sefira. We are working on the Chesed of Gevura, the Gevura of Gevura, the Tiferet of Gevura etc. Each day of the week of Gevura, we can fix a different aspect of Gevura.  

Chesed of Gevura can remind us to be loving, even as we draw correct boundaries in our life. It reminds us of the inherent connection between love and restraint. In Patach D’Bei Eliyahu, Eliyahu Hanavi teaches that Chesed in the body refers to the right hand and arm, while Gevura is the left hand and arm. Chesed and Gevura must work hand in hand for a person to live successfully. Chazal teach that Yitzchak Avinu reached this level of Chesed SheBiGevura when he lovingly went to the Akeida, whereas Avraham Avinu reached this level when he strengthened himself and went against his natural paternal love to give up his son to Hashem. The week of Gevura calls to mind the Akeidas Yitzchak which is an eternal source of merit to our people. 

Gevura of Gevura reminds us to be organized and methodical in our life’s work. It helps us to focus with laser beam precision on our priorities and recommit to Mesirus Nefesh in bringing national and personal Geula. Be strong in who you are. Reb Zusha once said, “In heaven they will not ask me why wasn’t I like Moshe Rabbeinu. They will ask me, why wasn’t I Zushe. For if I would be like Moshe Rabbeinu, then what would happen? Hashem would have two Moshe Rabbeinu’s but no Zusha’s!”  

Tiferes of Gevura is about being healthy and balanced even as we try to be strong in our life’s path. It is about shunning uncalled for extremes and fanaticism. About being inherently strong willed yet in the most beautiful and acceptable way. It is about remembering not to offend anyone as we walk the path leading to our personal quest for purity and holiness.  

Netzach of Gevura is to believe that we have the inherent capacity to overcome any and all of life’s apparent obstacles. It reminds us that our inner strength should be consistent and that we should recommit to Torah and Mitzvos with stronger Kavana. It is a good day to say Tehillim that begin with the words Lamenatzeach Mizmor, for these are the code words in Tehillim for these two Sefirot. 

Hod of Gevura gives us the opportunity to humbly thank Hashem for the strength He has given us, for the Torah which He has gifted us, for the boundaries that exist in the world which give definition and correct timing. It is about admitting that we need to restrengthen ourselves constantly in the battle of God awareness. 

Yesod of Gevura begs us to be aware of the primacy of Gevura in our life. It is about bonding the awesome power of soul to body and soul to soul. It reminds us about healthy boundaries in our relationships with people, and is a good time to recommit to Tzniyus of body and heart.  

Malchus of Gevura allows us to remember that it is only by properly defining ourselves that we achieve dignity. Definition is not about what uniform one wears in the Jewish world. It is simply about living life with the eye ever focused on the Tachlis. We are here to serve Hashem. We are here to prepare the world for Mashiach. The freedom of a Melech is in serving his people and the freedom of Malchus lies in our serving Hashem and in doing so, ultimately serving the world. It is about davening that our inner Gevura be used correctly to bring a revelation of Hashem into the practical world. It is about acting in a powerful way, recommitting to bringing Gevura power down into each aspect of practical life, to make this world ready for Mashiach Ben David to come. It is the time to daven strongly for the rebuilding of the final Bais Hamikdash, where we will finally see the awesome power of Torah and of our Nation. 

The Tefilla at the end of the nightly counting of the Omer puts all the work of the Omer into perspective. We ask Hashem, we beg Hashem that He should purify us, that all the mistakes and consequent barriers we have created as a result of our improper Sefira usage should be corrected. The only way any one can succeed in any inner work is to beg for Hashem’s help, for without that, even the strongest Gibbor is doomed to fail. The Tefilla is that vessel that we make which allows Hashem to pour His Gevura into us, and it is that Gevura which rekindles our life force. 

The work of Gevura is to be done in the greatest of joy and relief, for we unify ourselves with The Gevura, Hashem. There are many code words and code letters, written in the Siddur that help us to get a glimpse into the Avoda of each day. Perhaps the most surprising of these hints comes to us on the day of Gevura She’B’Gevura, the strongest day of Gevura. The code word used is Rinat, which means outbursts of expressive joy. This joy is actually a carry over from Sara Emainu who told us that all who hear of her story will rejoice with her. The message is clear, echoing over these thousands of years of Jewish history. The pain that our Mother Sara felt until she gave birth to her son was mitigated by the joy she lived with in his life. And actually, her life was full and her days occupied with loving life, even as she waited for her Tafkid as mother to emerge. She laughed at life, and this laughter was transferred into her son, who epitomized strength yet was named laughter. The joke is  that this world, which seems so distant from Godliness, which seems so frightening and dangerous, is in truth hiding the miracles of holiness in every atom and every second of time. We are here doing Gods work, and we can not fail. The greatest inner strength comes from knowing this- we can not fail. Hashem has promised us a Geula, He will come through for us. The joy is in the daily serving of the Master of All. 

GOOD SHABBOS, SHABBAT SHALOM UMEVORACH