The Shofar and the Sap of Tu B'Shvat

On Tu B'shvat the sap rises in the trees. The word for Sap is Sraf. It is spelled shin reish fei. The same letters spell shofar, since the influence of Rosh Hashanah is what empowers trees to grow. It is also Reshef, which alludes to negative spiritual forces. We must chose our way in this life. Will we be like the holy shofar which sounds and sweetens judgements or like those who loudly cry out in a way that is not positive? This is one reason we pray for an esrog on Tu B'shvat. Our sages likened the esrog to our heart. Everything depends on what we do with our heart. When Rav Nosson spoke about the heartiness of Avrohom Avinu, someone demurred. "But he had such a special heart!" "You also have a special heart," retorted Rav Nosson. "But you do not yet use it correctly." Hashem should help us find our heart and use it correctly from this day on! [This piece was inspired by Rav Yitzchak Moshe Ehrlinger, shlita. Today in shiur when asked about Tu B'Shvat he said, "I know nothing at all. Just that the letter seraf spell shofar and Reshef..." This is some of what I understood.]

New Year of the Tree

Rosh Hashonah 14 discusses the argument between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding the exact date of the new year for trees. According to Beis Shammai it is on the first of Shevat. Beis Hillel disagrees. They hold that Tu B’shvat is the Rosh Hashonah for trees. The Chiddushei HaRim, zt’l, teaches the deep significance of their dispute even today. “On Tu B’shevat the seraf or sap rises in the trees. The word seraf is an acronym for shishim ribo pirushim, six hundred thousand explanations. On Tu B’shevat we draw down the ability to say chiddushei Torah for the entire year. The Avnei Nezer, zt”l, adds, “Although the halachoh follows Beis Hillel, Beis Shammai is also correct regarding special people who serve Hashem in an aspect of the middas hadin. They draw down this special influx from the first day of the month of Shevat.” Rav Tzadok Hakohein of Lublin, zt”l, explains why it is customary to eat fruit on Tu B’Shevat. “Tu B’Shevat is a day when we fix the sin of Adam and Chavah partaking of the Eitz Hada'as and lowering the entire world. We eat fruit and can draw such great holiness in our food that we fix every time we ate improperly for the entire year.” [Chidushei HaRim; Pri Tzaddik]

Komarna, Rav Tzaddok and Zohar on Parshas Beshalach--Video Shiur

Parshas Beshalach Shiur Parshas Beshalach: Rav Tzadok: The deeper meaning of Hashem not taking us through the Plishtim; Why this week in particular is called Parshas Shirah while Yisro is not known as "Parhsas Matan Torah?"; Why not call it "Parshas HaMan"? The common denominator between Shabbos Shuva, Hagadol, Nachamu and Shira; The main Avodah of Shovavim--Tikun Habris is internalizing our intrinsic connection to Hashem Komarna: Plishtim are mockers; Avoiding wasting time; The problem with politics is we forget Hashem Zohar: The power of the Shira; Torah study nullifies decrees

Parshas Bo

Parsha Shiur Rav Tzaddok: Plague of hail; Mitzvah to sanctify the new Month; do we sanctify Shabbos? Komarna: Parable of the Baal Shem Tov from Degel Machaneh Efraim; Why Moshe pleaded with the Jews to take the wealth of Egypt Zohar: Chometz and Matza

Parshas Vaeira Shiur

Parhsas Vaeira Shiur It begins with the Komarna on what it means to know Hashem. He wonders why we learn deeper concepts since the true essence of G-d is not graspable. He also explains that when we internalize our knowledge of Hashem, we are able to leave the staits of spiritual or material Mitzrayim, Egypt. Pri Tzaddok explains the first seven plagues in a deep way. I expanded on it, but perhaps it is deeper than it should have been. Zohar teaches techiyas hameisim from the staff that transformed into a serpent. Enjoy and see the new Spirit of the concluding Chapter 1 of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Have a joyous and illuminating Shabbos Kodesh!

Spirit of the Law, Kitzur I: 5-6

Spirit of the Law Video Shiur I: 5: Why we should not recite verses-written Torah by heart; Rav Nosson explains the essence of Torah written on parchment and the oral law I: 6: The immense spiritual repucussions of a brochah and the negative effects of a brochah said in vain

Shemos-Shovavim Parshah Shiur

Parshas Shemos-Shovavim Komarna: Using the delight of dveykut, cleaving to the Creator to trascend pain and bitterness; We are the Staff--Snake; The seven aspects of life: Chessed--Kindness, expansiveness, Gevurah--Might, constriction, Tiferet--Truth, Torah; Netzach--Victory, the Capacity to win; Hod--Gratitude, Praise, Yesod--Foundation, what I do counts, Malchut--Kingship, Making Creator King when things are Difficult; Remembering we are G-d children in every aspect of our existence; Proper Balance of Body and Soul Rav Tzaddok: Shemot begins Shovavim; When is the best time to work on purity during Shovavim? Attaining Genuine Brit; Purity is only thorugh Positivity; Kushios, hard questions are for halachic works, not people Zohar: The Power of Tears; Why is there a gate of tears if tears open all gates? The Tikkun of Childlessness; A Segulah for having Kids Enjoy and have a great Shabbos!