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This Too Is Good
Sichos in English

Shabbos Parshas Pinchas; 21st Day of Tammuz, 5750

Our Sages relate that the world will exist in its present state for six millennia: Two thousand years of chaos, two thousand years of Torah, and two thousand years of [which include the preparation for] the Messianic era. Thus, at present, in the closing years of the sixth millennia, there is added significance to the period of Bein HaMetzarim (the Three Weeks) when we commemorate the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash and look forward to the time when it will be rebuilt.

This year there is a unique dimension to this period, as emphasized by the fact that it begins and concludes on a Tuesday [on the dates of the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av, respectively]. Tuesday is singled out as the day on which the expression, “And G-d saw that it was good,” is repeated. This shares a connection to the 17th of Tammuz, since seventeen is the numerical equivalent of the word “tov,” meaning good. Thus, the period of Bein HaMetzarim begins on a day whose nature is positive. This reinforces our hope that, as the Rambam writes: “All these fast days will ultimately be nullified in the Messianic age. Furthermore, they will be transformed into festivals and days of happiness and joy.”

In this context, the repetition of the expression, “And G-d saw that it was good,” can be interpreted as referring to two types of good: a) beings whose positive nature is openly apparent; b) a good that comes from “the transformation of darkness to light and bitterness to sweetness,” as will be seen in regard to the 17th of Tammuz.

The concept of repetition is also connected to the Messianic Redemption. Our Sages declared: “There are five letters that are repeated [i.e., have two forms, one for when they appear in the middle of a word and one when they appear at a word’s conclusion]. Each of these letters allude to the Redemption...the Tzadi — with it G-d will redeem the Jewish people in the final years of the fourth kingdom, as it is written, ‘A man [Moshiach], Tzemach is his name. Under him, will flourish...’”

The unique dimension of the 17th of Tammuz is enhanced by the Shabbos that follows, since the Shabbos elevates the days of the previous week. In general, the Shabbasos of Bein HaMetzarim are above the aspect of mourning. On Shabbos, it is forbidden to carry out any of the rites of mourning associated with these days. On the contrary, these Shabbasos must be characterized by joy and happiness, even greater happiness than on other Shabbasos, to negate the possibility of someone thinking that they are at all associated with sadness.

In particular, this Shabbos reflects the positive dimensions of the Three Weeks, as reflected by its date, the 21st of Tammuz. 21 is the numerical equivalent of the word “ach” (only). It alludes to the verse meaning, “It shall be only good for Yisroel.” The positive aspects of this Shabbos are further emphasized by the weekly Torah portion, Parshas Pinchas. Firstly, the very inclusion of this Torah portion in the period of Bein HaMetzarim is positive. “There is no good other than Torah.” Thus, the addition of a fourth Torah portion (besides Mattos, Massei, and Dvarim, which are always read during Bein HaMetzarim) is a positive point.

Furthermore, Pinchas is identified as the prophet Eliyahu, who will announce the coming of Moshiach. In addition, the portion begins with G-d’s declaration, “Behold, I grant him My covenant of peace.” Eliyahu’s mission is to establish peace among the Jewish people, as the prophet Malachi relates, “Behold, I will send you Eliyahu, the prophet, who will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.” This emphasis on peace will nullify the cause of the exile, baseless hatred, and thereby the exile itself will cease.

Similarly, the conclusion of the portion describing the sacrifices offered on Shabbos and the festivals alludes to the potential to transform the fast days into holidays and festivals.

The uniqueness of the Three Weeks is related to the Haftoros recited in this time. This period is called “the Three Weeks of Retribution” because the Haftoros of these three weeks, at least on the surface, deal with retribution. Only afterwards follow “the Seven Weeks of Consolation,” whose Haftoros mention prophecies of consolation. There is, however, a positive aspect to the Three Weeks. The numbers three and seven allude to the seven emotional powers and the three powers of intellect. From this, it appears that the Three Weeks are on a higher plane and are also the source for the positive qualities to be expressed in the weeks that follow.

In that context, the word “puranos” rendered as retribution, can be reinterpreted in a positive context. The Zohar associates Pharaoh (whose name shares the same Hebrew root as “puranos”) with “the revelation of all the sublime lights.” Similarly, the Three Weeks can be the source for a revelation of light that transcends all limits.

This unbounded revelation is reflected in the three Torah portions that are always read during Bein HaMetzarim: Mattos, Massei, and Dvarim. Each of these three parshiyos deal with a different dimension of the conquest, division, and inheritance of Eretz Yisroel. Furthermore, this includes not only the land of the seven nations which lived on the west side of the Jordan, but also the three nations (the Keini, Knizi, and Kadmoni) whose territory began on the eastern bank of the Jordan. The tribes of Reuven and Gad desired to settle in these lands to fulfill G-d’s promise to grant Avrohom Avinu the lands of the ten nations. Here we see a fusion of the intellect and the emotions, a conquest of all ten nations, alluding to control of each of our ten potentials. In particular, the conquest of the lands of the Keini, Knizi, and Kadmoni allude to the positive nature of the Three Weeks, which reflects our three intellectual faculties.

The positive aspects mentioned above are enhanced this year by the inclusion of Parshas Pinchas among the Shabbasos of Bein HaMetzarim. In particular, a positive dimension is revealed when the 17th of Tammuz falls on Tuesday. This creates an association between that day and the third aliya of Parshas Pinchas, which describes the division of Eretz Yisroel, stating: “Among these, the land will be divided.... To a larger [tribe], you shall give a greater inheritance. To a smaller [tribe], you shall give a lesser inheritance.... Nevertheless, you must divide the land by lot.”

Three approaches to the division of the land are mentioned: a) inheritance, b) division based on reason (“To a greater [tribe]...”), c) division by lots. It can be explained that these three different approaches are reflected in the phrase from the liturgy: “Fortunate are we! How good is our portion, how pleasant our lot, and how beautiful our heritage.” Through these three services, we hasten the apportioning of Eretz Yisroel, using these three approaches in the Messianic age. Indeed, the division of the land mentioned in Parshas Pinchas can be interpreted as an allusion to the division of the land in time of Moshiach.

The above concepts are also alluded to in the parshiyos Mattos and Massei, which are read in today’s Mincha service. Parshas Massei begins, “These are the journeys of the children of Israel when they left the land of Egypt.” In Likkutei Torah, the Alter Rebbe asks: After the first journey, the Jews had already left Egypt. Why then are all the journeys linked to this departure? The Alter Rebbe goes on to explain that the ultimate goal of all the 42 journeys was to leave Egypt, i.e., to transcend one’s boundaries and limitations. Therefore, the subsequent journeys were included within the first journey that took the Jews out of Egypt. Had the Jews merited, they would have continued directly into Eretz Yisroel, bringing about the Messianic Redemption. Due to the people’s sins, however, the Redemption was delayed; they were forced to wander for forty years in the desert. In addition, this descent brought about the potential for later exiles.

The ability to transform these negative elements is further alluded to in the Torah: Parshas Mattos deals with the subject of vows, including an allusion to the nullification of vows by a sage. This relates to the nullification of all undesirable entities, including the exile.

Parshas Pinchas describes the request of the daughters of Tz’lafchad to inherit their father’s portion of Eretz Yisroel. The commentaries mention that their love for Eretz Yisroel came to them as a heritage from their ancestor Yosef, who also displayed a great love for the Holy Land.

There is a connection between Yosef and the 17th of Tammuz, because Yosef was seventeen years when he was sold into slavery. Our Sages also connect this with the concept that seventeen is numerically equal to “tov” (good). To explain:

Our Sages relate that after Yaakov’s confrontations with Lavan and Eisav, he “desired to live in prosperity.” That desire was not granted immediately. Nevertheless, G-d set into motion a series of events which led to the ultimate fulfillment of that desire. Yosef’s descent into Egypt eventually led to Yaakov living the seventeen best years of his life in prosperity in Egypt. This, in turn, gave the Jews the potential to sustain the hardships of exile, and, ultimately, to transform the exile into something positive.

This is connected to the concept that Yaakov represents the entire Jewish people. Indeed, his second name, Yisroel, is the name of the people as a whole and, as explained in Tanya, his soul included the soul of each member of our people.

Each of the three Patriarchs represented a different quality in the service of G-d: Avrohom — deeds of kindness, as exemplified by his welcoming of guests; Yitzchok — prayer, as exemplified in his being chosen as a sacrifice; Yaakov — Torah study, as exemplified by his extensive study in the school of Sheim and Eiver.

Although each of these services are of primary importance and must be fulfilled every day, there is a prominence granted to Torah study. Every moment of the day and night, a Jew has the obligation — and the opportunity — to study Torah; this applies even on Tisha B’Av. There have been limitations against studying Torah on Tisha B’Av because Torah study brings happiness, which is inappropriate on such an occasion. Despite these restrictions, there is an obligation to study those aspects of Torah that are permitted to be studied throughout the day.

The fundamental connection a Jew shares with Torah is emphasized by our Sages’ interpretation of the name Yisroel as an acronym for the Hebrew words meaning “There are 600,000 letters in the Torah.”

Our Sages relate that Yaakov taught all the Torah he had studied to Yosef. Yosef, in turn, transmitted Yaakov’s influence to the entire Jewish people, granting them the potential to reach a complete level of Torah study. Indeed, Yosef related these qualities to the entire Jewish people, those who identified with them and those who, were it not for his influence, would be estranged from their Jewish roots. This is alluded to in Rachel’s association of the naming of Yosef with the prayer, “May G-d add on to me another son,” implying that Yosef has the potential to transform someone who is “another,” estranged from his Jewish roots, into a “son.” This quality of transformation will also be expressed in the transformation of the exile into something positive.

In particular, there is a greater emphasis on the above in the present generation, whose Nasi is named Yosef, since “the Nasi includes the entire people.” This is expressed in regard to his redemption, which he interpreted as general in nature: “The Holy One, Blessed be He, did not redeem me alone...but rather, all who love our holy Torah, fulfill its mitzvos, and all those who bear the name ‘Yisroel.’”

This year, on the 110th anniversary of the Rebbe Rayatz’s birth, his connection to Yosef receives greater emphasis, for 110 represents the number of years of Yosef’s life. The Rebbe Rayatz set the example of extending Yosef’s service, spreading Torah study to all Jews, even those estranged from their Jewish roots. Indeed, he emphasized this in the letter and maamer he released to mark the first commemoration of Yud-Beis Tammuz, stressing the importance of spreading Torah study to all Jews and highlighting the importance of public sessions of Torah study. Implicit in his words is the promise that the Messianic Redemption will be brought about through these activities.

Yeshayahu the Prophet declares, “Tziyon will be redeemed through justice and those who return, through tzedaka.” The Alter Rebbe explains that justice refers to Torah study, and that these two activities, Torah study and tzedaka, will bring about the Messianic Redemption. In particular, this applies to the study of the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, which includes the entire oral law. The above applies to a greater extent on Shabbos, a day which should be utilized to “gather groups together in Torah study.” In particular, these concepts are relevant during Bein HaMetzarim.

Also of unique relevance at the present time is the study of the structure of the Beis HaMikdash as revealed in Yechezkel’s prophecies, in the Mishna in the tractate of Middos, and in the teachings of the Rambam in Hilchos Beis HaBechira. (To enable people to study all these texts, they have been printed in a single volume.)

Similarly, it is important to hold siyumim (gatherings celebrating the conclusion of Torah texts) during these days, including the day of Tisha B’Av itself. These directives should be publicized in every place throughout the world.

May these activities hasten the coming of the time when Bein HaMetzarim will be transformed into a period of celebration, with the coming of Moshiach.
 

   

The period of Bein HaMetzarim begins on a day whose nature is positive, as the Rambam writes: “All these fast days will ultimately be nullified in the Messianic age.”
  

 

 

 


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