Tuesdays With G-D

Charlotte Jewish News September 2021

By Rabbi Yossi Groner, Congregation Ohr HaTorah

This coming High Holiday season, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, which ushers in the New Year of 5782, starts on a Tuesday. So does the holiday of Sukkot and the holiday of Shmini Atzeret. Three Tuesdays in September, September 7 , 21, and 28 are all holy days. So what’s so special about Tuesday?

The Book of Genesis describes G-d creating the world in six days. Each of these six days of creation has a uniqueness which characterizes the day perpetually.

Each day corresponds to a unique Divine creative power that energizes the world accordingly. Shabbat, the seventh day, displays the power of Divine tranquility and spiritual delight.

On Sunday G-d created light, on Monday G-d created division. On Tuesday G-d created harmony and unity in the divide, between the earth, the oceans, and plant life.

In numerology, Sunday is day one, which represents the oneness of G-d as reflected in light. Monday is day two, which indicates a split or division. Tuesday is day three which brings harmony between one and two.

On Sunday G-d said once “And it was good.” Light radiates goodness. On Monday good is not mentioned at all, as division is not good. On Tuesday “And it was good” is mentioned twice. It’s quite obvious why “good” was written twice on Tuesday as peace, unity, and harmony double the goodness.

Furthermore, on Tuesdays there is a greater presence of G-dliness in the world. Ancient Jewish literature teaches that G-d is delighted and brings His blessings in a time of peace and unity. G-d despises and shuns divisiveness.

So the first message of Rosh Hashanah falling on Tuesday is that it’s an opportunity to bring unity and harmony in our world, especially as it is the call of the hour.

On a deeper level, Jewish Biblical commentators explain that the harmony created on Tuesday goes beyond the material world, where nature thrives on synchronization. There is a harmony that must be realized between heaven and earth, between spiritual and physical, between G-d and humanity.

Some people emphasize religious practices and ritual as most important in their Jewish commitment. Others focus more on social issues and, indeed, excel in acts of kindness. They view these extraordinary compassionate acts as their path to be their expression of Judaism. In truth, Judaism teaches that both paths are equally important, yet they are uniquely Jewish when the two paths are interconnected in a harmonious way. One can be a great human being following each of these paths, yet Judaism demands that we follow both by fusing them together and creating something unique.

As an example, the Talmud teaches that one should give to the poor before prayer. In simple words, to reach G-d and ensure that our prayers are accepted, we must preface our prayers with the deed of Tzedakah. The famous Kabbalah teacher, the Arizal, instructed that his students recite the following statement every morning before prayer: “I hereby accept the positive commandment of love your fellow as yourself.”

On the other hand, there can be well-meaning people engaged in deeds of great kindness, yet they are filled with ego or an inflated sense of self importance. Judaism demands humility as we recognize that everything we have, even though it comes with hard work, is a gift from G-d. Torah study, prayer and observance of its holy mitzvot help us achieve the level of genuine humility and a true appreciation of G-d’s gifts to us.

So the second message of Tuesday as mentioned in the Talmud, is that Tuesday is good for heaven and good for people. May this new year of 5782 be a year of health, peace, and harmony. L’shanah Tovah!