With Rosh Chodesh Av on the threshold, Bilvavi provides us with extra insights from Rav Itamar Schwartz.
Here is a link to a PDF of his insights into Av:
https://bilvavi.net/files/Bilvavi.Rosh.Chodesh.Av.pdf
The basics of Av:
Interestingly, the Torah pinpoints 2 different Tribes as representing a lion.
Most of us know that Yehudah is associated with the lion, but even though Dan is generally associated with a serpent (from the side of holiness), Moshe Rabbeinu's blessing associates Dan with the lion.
Within the PDF, Rav Schwartz explains how Mashiach will a represent a holy union between Yehudah (on Mashiach's father's side) and Dan (on his mother's side).
Yehudah is the son of Leah Imeinu while Dan is the son of Bilha, under the auspices of Rachel Imeinu.
Here is a link to a PDF of his insights into Av:
https://bilvavi.net/files/Bilvavi.Rosh.Chodesh.Av.pdf
The basics of Av:
- Av corresponds to the Tribe of Shimon.
- The Mazal of Av is the Lion/Aryeh/Leo.
- The essence of Av is hearing (as in hearing Hashem).
- The avodah (actualization) of Av is turning sadness into happiness.
Interestingly, the Torah pinpoints 2 different Tribes as representing a lion.
Most of us know that Yehudah is associated with the lion, but even though Dan is generally associated with a serpent (from the side of holiness), Moshe Rabbeinu's blessing associates Dan with the lion.
Within the PDF, Rav Schwartz explains how Mashiach will a represent a holy union between Yehudah (on Mashiach's father's side) and Dan (on his mother's side).
Yehudah is the son of Leah Imeinu while Dan is the son of Bilha, under the auspices of Rachel Imeinu.
5 Minutes to Utilize the Power of Rosh Chodesh
It's also a good idea to take 5 minutes & ponder the questions Rav Avigdor Miller advises us to ask ourselves on Rosh Chodesh (originally appearing on pages 3-4 in Parshas Pinchos 4: The Light of Renewal):
Bein Adam LaMakom (interpersonal interactions):
Shabbat:
(If you miss out doing it on Rosh Chodesh itself, the day after is also excellent. It's teshuvah, so any time you do it is absolutely fabulous.)
- What did I accomplish this past month?
- Did I make any mistakes?
- Was I disloyal to the Torah in any way?
- Did I live in the most successful manner available to me?
- What happened with my tefillah?
- What about my learning?
- How did I behave when it came to my obligation to give tzedakah?
- What about Hakodosh Boruch Hu? Did I think about Him enough?
Bein Adam LaMakom (interpersonal interactions):
- Did I make progress in bein adam lamokom this past month?
- Did I wrong my fellow man?
- Did I make mistakes in dealing with my neighbors?
- Also, how did I behave to people on the street?
- How was my behavior between me and the members of my family?
- How did I speak to spouse this month?
- Did I say something I shouldn’t have on the first day of the month that just passed?
- What about the second day?
- And the third day?
- Think about the wrong things you said, the wrong way you reacted.
Shabbat:
- How did I use my Shabbosim this month?
- Did I spend at least a few minutes at each seudah thinking about what Shabbos is trying to teach me?
(If you miss out doing it on Rosh Chodesh itself, the day after is also excellent. It's teshuvah, so any time you do it is absolutely fabulous.)
And if you didn't see them already, here are past posts about the influence of Av:
How to Deal with the Mazal of Crabby Tammuz & Savage Av
Dealing with the Mazal of Tammuz & Av
http://www.myrtlerising.com/blog/category/tisha-bav
How to Deal with the Mazal of Crabby Tammuz & Savage Av
Dealing with the Mazal of Tammuz & Av
http://www.myrtlerising.com/blog/category/tisha-bav
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