A Time of Constriction - Chodesh AV

Destruction and Consolation

Bnei Yissachar points out that while the Name Combination of Tammuz is written in the reverse order of the Tetragrammaton - an indication of a strong presence of strict justice in the world - the Name Combination of AV is split in two: the first half has the last two letters of the Name, Vav and Hei, but they are written in reverse order - while the second half of the Name Combination contains the first two letters of the Name in their proper order - Yud followed by Hei. The proper order of the Name's letters alludes to Divine mercy, while the reversed order indicates strict justice. Thus, the first Name Combination implies that the first half of AV is a time of strict justice, while the second half of the month is a time of mercy. [Wisdom in the Hebrew Months, Artscroll Series]

Reb Nati at Mystical Paths brings the Seder Olam Raba linking the time leading up to the redemption being a Time of Judgment heralded by Planet Zedek being struck. New NASA images indicate an object has hit Planet Jupiter. The irony of this is that an amateur astronomer from Australia found a new dark "scar" suddenly appeared on Jupiter.

WE HAVE UNFORTUNATELY BEEN WITNESS TO THIS CONSTRICTION VIA DAILY REPORTS AND VIDEOS

The Jewish World, the Land of Israel, and specifically Yerushalayim are being overwhelmed by turmoil, conflict, dichotomy of belief and their way of expressing this; and so a pain swells up in the hearts of all peace-loving Jews everywhere, who are grieving this long, long exile, who have already internalized and live the Torah saying, that “The Torah is a Way of Peace,” and who are wondering when, oh when, will our Moshiach come to save His People from being swallowed up.

But when will those who are fighting open their eyes and hearts to their brothers and sisters ... Hatred breeds hatred.

A VERY INTERESTING TORAH SHIUR

Why Must Jews Argue?………….The Ugly Reality

Midrash Tehilim

(Socher Tov: 12-4)

Rabbi Yanai said, “[When G-d gave the Torah,] the law wasn’t given conclusive and final. Rather, regarding every word G-d said to Moshe, He told him 49 ways of making it pure and 49 ways of making it impure.

Gemara Eiruvin

(13, side 2)

Rabbi Abba said in the naem of Shmuel, “For three years Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel argued. These said ‘The law is like us’, and these said ‘The law is like us’.

A voice from Heaven called out and proclaimed, “Both these and those are the words of the Living

G-d!”

Eicha Rabbah

(1:1)

There were three who prophesized with the word “Eicha”; Moshe, Yeshiah and Yirmiyahu

Moshe: “How can I bear your trouble, your burden, and your strife all by myself”

Yeshiah: “How has she become a harlot, a faithful city; full of justice, in which righteousness would lodge, but now murderers”

Yirmiyahu: “O how has the city that was once so populous remained lonely! She has become like a widow! She that was great among the nations, a princess among the provinces, has become tributary”.

Rabbi Levi explained: This is compared to a princess who had three governesses. One accompanied her during her times of tranquility, one accompanied her during her times of frivolity, and one accompanied her during her time of disgrace.

TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURAL AND SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS IN THIS SHIUR

Why Jews Love to Argue

How a great virtue can turn into an ugly reality

By Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson