JLIC Givat Shmuel

From: Riverdale, NY

In this week’s parsha, we read, “And Hashem spoke to Moses in the Sinai Desert, in the Tabernacle (דעומ להוא) on the first day of the second month…”(Bamidbar 1:1). The Noam Elimelech, Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk explains this pasuk is suggesting to man how to best behave. “ In the Sinai Desert”- just like the Torah was given at Har Sinai, Hashem chose this mountain from all other mountains, not because of height or beauty, which had neither of these attributes, but because it was the smallest and humblest among all the mountains- so too man should be “greatly subdued in one’s own eyes”- meaning that man should be humble and stay away from pride. But such thoughts could cause someone to always be in a state of depression and be sad which is an obstacle in the ways of worshipping Hashem. As it says in the Gemara, “ the Shechinah rests [upon man] neither in indolence nor in gloom nor in frivolity nor in levity” (Pesachim 117a).

Therefore, when man is in a situation of “Sinai Desert”, he must not forget to also be “ in the Tabernacle (דעומ להוא)”, that is to feel like he is in the state of mind of the joy of the season (דעומ)- to be in the happiness of the Chag! One should not forget to be happy, otherwise he will be in a state of depression which will create an obstacle in worshipping Hashem.

If man should ask himself,” Since I have sinned so much, how could I be happy? How can I repent?”, and on this thought the Torah says, “on the first day of the second month” - man must do teshuva with joy in spite of everything and say to himself, “From today onwards I will uplift myself from my old ways and start afresh. I’m reborn”.

If he does so- he is no longer the same person he was even a second before, rather new and clean, and now rejoices full heartedly. The Noam Elimelech comments on this, “ This is called a renewal that will be renewed as a new creature”. And that is what the Torah means when it says, “ first day (of renewal) of the second month”- because man is renewed (reborn) twice: on the day he is born, and the day he repents and is absolved of all his sins.

We must always be reminded that even if man sins- he should not feel despair, rather repent with happiness!

May we all learn to be in the mindset of change and become reborn in time for the Chag!

The OU’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) is creating and nurturing vibrant religious communities in Israel to support English-speaking college students and young professionals. JLIC Israel’s goals include: building a warm and welcoming Jewish community for students and young professionals; providing engaging and dynamic Jewish education; providing a supportive home environment for Olim; providing resources for personal and religious growth, including personal mentoring, Aliyah support, religious guidance and leadership development. Current JLIC programs in Israel include: Reichman University - Herzliya; Bar Ilan University - Givat Shmuel; Tel Aviv University; Tel Aviv for Young Professionals; and Jerusalem. Contact: Rabbi Jonathan Shulman, Director of OU-JLIC in Israel shulmanj@ou.org