When one is in Shovavim, the six week time span of kedusha
that we all should take advantage of, he/she needs to know it is a time of tikkunim (fixing past sins). These six
weeks mark the six weeks in the Torah where Am Yisrael begins their slavery
under Egyptian rule and end off with Matan Torah by Parashat Mishpatim (in four
weeks). This means that we are already at the end of the second week of the
wondrous and mystical Shovavim Time Period.
Rav Yaakov Yisrael Lugasi shlit’a (currently living in
Yerushalayim) explains that ‘shovavim’ can also be pronounced in two words: shuv ba’yam, or return in the ocean
waters. This means that this time period is a time where we can actually clean
and wash away all our sins from the past. YES, ALL OUR SINS especially those in
regard to kedusha (purity)! How do we fix our past? By changing our future.
In Netivot Shalom’s small pamphlet on Shovavim, he explains
that the Mishnah from Pirkei Avot breaks down the tikkunim one should do during
these weeks in order to fix all the sins in the past. The Mishnah explains that
the world exists upon three categories: Torah,
Avodah and Gemilut Hassadim
(Torah Learning, Prayer and Kindness with others). In each one there is a
specific action we can practically do in order to fix our sins. In regards to
Torah, the Rav explains that when one sins they defile their mind with impure
thoughts. In order to purify these thoughts one should learn Torah, which acts like
a mikveh for the brain.
The second category is Prayer. David HaMelech wrote in
Tehillim Chapter 51 about his “sin” with Bat Sheva. The same excitement and
energy he had while sinning was used in order to write the prayer of sorrow and
anguish to Hashem to forgive him for what he did. This shows us we need to use
the same degree of emotion when doing Teshuva. The third is Kindness with
others. The Netivot Shalom explains based on the Zohar that one’s sins begin
physically from the legs, which take him to the place of impurity. In order to
fix this, the Rav explains to use our legs for Mitzvot. However, on a spiritual
level he writes that the BIGGEST tikkun
for gemilut hassadim is to lift
someone up from depression, because bringing someone up from sadness is the
biggest hessed one can do!
Be’ezrat Hashem with
the koah (strength) of Shabbat Kodesh
we shall have a Shovavim filled with Yirat Shamayim (Fear of Heaven), Kedusha
(purity), Simha (happiness) and spiritual success!
Shabbat Shalom!
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