|
 Message
from Rabbi
Margolis - Bnei Brak
Rosh HaShanah 5767
– 2006-2007
The simple four
letters of the word
אלול seem to make a
profound impression
upon all who hear
the mention of this
word and this month
in the Jewish
Calendar. These four
letters remind us of
the pending court
case, the upcoming
judgment of each and
every individual in
Hashem’s world. It
is the bell ringing
to usher in a time
of introspection, a
time of Cheshbon
Hanefesh for all
ones deeds and
actions of the
entire year. This
accounting, this
judgment is in front
of, and specifically
in the presence of,
the Almighty
Himself.
I am personally
accountable to
Hashem and He is the
one who will deal
with me – אני לדודי
ודודי לי
Also, along with
this word Elul comes
a wakeup call – the
Shofar. As it is
written in the
Rambam this wailing
sound rouses us from
our lethargic
existence and forces
us to come to grips
with our life
situation, forces us
to make a reckoning
with ourselves.
However, the beauty
of our relationship
with our Creator is,
the attitude of this
awesome judge. Just
a casual glance at
the different
passages of T’fillos
and the myriad of
piyutim gives us an
idea of the attitude
of Hashem towards
His people.
אב הרחמן זוכר יצורים
לחיים ברחמים לכובש
כעסו ביום דין וחומל
בדין כי לא אחפוץ
במות המת כי אם בשובו
מדרכו וחיה
The theme of this
judgment is His
eagerness and
willingness to
forgive, to wipe the
slate clean. He
loves us and wants
us to succeed. He
goes out of His way
to accommodate us.
Perhaps for this
reason He divided
the year into twelve
months. Rosh Chodesh
is זמן כפרה לכל
תולדותם. Each and
every Rosh Chodesh
is a time of
atonement for the
Jewish people. From
this evolved the
popular tradition of
Yom Kippur Kotton.
This is literally a
miniature Yom
Kippur. That is to
say Hashem planned
ahead for us a time
table of intervals
in the year so that
we would be able to
prepare for Yom
Kippur, well in
advance. These are
steps along the way
to think and
contemplate our
position in
reference toבין אדם
לחבירו ובין אדם
למקום.
And then comes Elul.
R’ Yisroel Salanter
used to say, the
entire year should
be like Elul and
Elul should be like
Elul.
At this opportunity
I would like to give
my heartfelt wishes
to all of the Chai
Odom community for a
happy and healthy
year of peace and
prosperity.
A special greeting
to my beloved
son-in-law and
daughter and to all
those who help ease
the burden of
maintaining this
mokom kodosh.
כתיבה וחתימה טובה
רב שלמה מרגלית - בני
ברק
Rosh HaShanah 5766
– 2005-2006
We look forward soon
to greet each other
with a traditional
declaration
תכלה השנה וקללותיה.
The year has
finished with all
its sad happenings.
The Jewish people,
the past year,
experienced a bitter
episode in their
history, a very
detrimental decree –
disengagement. Had
this decree been
issued by foreign
nations, we would
have called it a
pogrom. That is, to
drive thousands of
people from homes in
which they lived for
over forty years
would be looked at
with distaste by all
nations. In fact,
all the earlier
governments rejected
such a plan. Right
before its
implementation, the
newspaper reported
the plea of Harav
Hagaon Eliyashiv to
delay the move since
at this time it was
not of the necessity
the government
anticipated. And
yet, the hierarchy
was rushing to
institute this
senseless operation.
ותאמר ציון עזבני ד'
כו' מהיו בניך מרסיך
ומחריביך יצאו......
Klal Yisroel is
worried that Hashem
has forgotten the,
they did forlorn.
The Navi Yeshia
responds. You see in
the most difficult
times, Hashem
miraculously saved
the nation as has
been demonstrated
over the last few
centuries. The
troubles evolve for
you, from your stray
children, from the
energy within. They
forget the victories
of Hashem. After
witnessing the
success of the
conquering of
Yerushalyim the
leaders were blinded
and were prepared to
return even the holy
city to the enemy,
had G-d not
intervened.
Many thought that
there were those
who, although they
did not possess a
love of Torah, had a
love of Tzion
kindled inside of
them. Now, it is
quite obvious this
is a mistake. It is
impossible to have a
genuine love of
Eretz Yisroel
without Yiras
Shomayim. For self
benefit they would
forfeit the whole
land.
Although painfully
so, we could apply
the story of Shlomo
Hamelech and the two
mothers to our
present situation.
The argument erupted
as to who was the
real mother f the
live baby. Upon
hearing the verdict
thay they should
kill the baby and
divide the baby, one
screamed and the
other was silent.
Shlomo said the one
that feels the pain
and cries is the
real mother; To her
belongs the baby; to
them belongs the
land.
Tha Torah tells us
of a mitzvah to
appoint a king. This
mitzvah however is
tied into another
mitzvah, the king is
obligated to write a
sefer Torah and read
from it. The
Abarbenel tells us
that a leader who
does not read and
adhere to the ‘Torah
could be detrimental
to the Jewish
nation. This we see
with our own eyes.
An objective of our
Tfilos in Elul
should be a renewed
yearning for the
Moshiach and a
fulfillment of
השיבה שופטיך כראשנה
“Return
us the leaders of
old”.
I take this
opportunity to wish
you all a happy and
healthy New Year. To
Chai Odom, its Mora
D’asra and all the
mispallelim and
friends.
כתיבה וחתימה טובה.....
רב שלמה מרגלית בני
ברק.....
Rosh HaShanah 5765
– 2004-2005
We are quickly
approaching the
holiday of Rosh
Hashana. Many of the
holidays that we
celebrate during the
year have names that
signify the reason,
purpose and cause
for celebration or
remembrance. Rosh
HaShana, however, is
described by a
mitzvah which is
performed during
these days of awe.
The Torah does not
choose to refer to
it as the Day of
Judgment or the day
of Tshuva, or the
day of His monarchy.
Rather, it chooses
the sound of the
Shofar, the message
of the Shofar to be
the emblem, the
banner of these
times. Why? Why is
it called ייום של
שופר - יום תרועה
Perhaps the answer
can be found in the
famous explanation
of the Rambam of the
mitzvah of blowing
Shofar. He states
that although Shofar
is a mitzvah in the
Torah and we don’t
really pretend to
understand its inner
meaning, we could
perceive a very
practical reason
based on the words
of the Navi.
עורו ישינים משנתכם
ונרדמים הקיצו
מתרדמתכם וחפשו
במעשיכם וחזרו בתשובה
וזכרו בוראכם
Wake up from ones
slumber. Wake up
from one’s daily
routine. Wake up
from the habits we
are addicted to.
Most of all, change
the focus from a
materialistic world
to a spiritual one.
Take inventory of
one’s actions, of
one’s approach to
life. Man easily
forgets he is part
of a great reckoning
and also a private
reckoning. It would
seem that the Torah
understands human
nature and realizes
that there would be
no plan of action on
the part of man if
he is not first
awakened to the task
at hand. Thus, the
name shofar
indicates the
essence of the
mission of mankind
in these days, Yomim
Noraim.
Taking this even
further, the custom
in Klal Yisroel and
a הלכה in שולחן ערוך
is to blow Shofar
the entire month of
Elul. That is, the
entire month is a
month of awakening
in expectation of
the יום הדין . The
entire month is one
long wake up call.
We find ourselves
now in very dire and
serious times. We
find ourselves in
the times described
by the Gemora as the
days before Moshiach.
The first sign or
indicator is the
spread of “chutzpa”
in the world, a
brazenness which
infiltrates even the
holiest
congregation.
Certainly the time
of Moshiach is
getting closer and
closer.
If this is the case,
then anyone with a
sense of logic and
reasoning will not
satisfy himself with
cheering and
yearning for
Moshiach. One must
prepare for this
event by tshuva and
maasim tovim. The
Shofar of Moshiach
is also a wake up
call. Wake up from
one’s lethargic
existence and get
excited about Torah
and mitzvos.
At this moment, I
would take this
opportunity to wish
all my friends at
Chai Odom and of the
greater Chai Odom
family a happy and
healthy New Year.
May we all be
inscribed in the
Book of Life and may
we merit together to
receive the coming
of Moshiach speedily
in our times.
Regards from all our
friends in Bnei Brak.
Shloma Margolis –
Bnei Brak
Rosh HaShanah 5764
– 2003-2004
It is written “Could
a shofar blow in the
city and the people
would not show
fear?”
The Navi
specifically
mentions the element
of anxious fear upon
the sounding of the
alarm in reference
to “a city” and to
“a people” and not
to an individual.
Why is this the
case? It would seem
that psychologically
each person thinks
to himself, at the
time of emergency, I
will escape, evil
will not befall me.
This results from
either his belief in
his own ability to
avoid the problem,
or his belief that
he is not the object
of the enemy’s
focus. However, this
is only in a
physical sense and
only when one
worries about the
individual. In the
realm of a spiritual
existence which
hinges upon a
community, a city, a
people, the person’s
anxiety is doubled.
Not only is he
worried for himself,
but also for the “klal”,
the greater numbers
surrounding him. We
Jewish people
understand,
especially on Rosh
Hashanah, that we do
not stand alone. Our
responsibilities are
to each other and we
are judged as a
group. Our hope for
survival is only as
a part of this
precious nation of
Israel. We must
never pray only for
ourselves but always
include “We and all
of your nation
Israel for a good
life and peace”.
Hence, when the
shofar blasts “in
the city”, the
nation as a whole
will certainly shake
with trepidation.
It is with this
thought in mind that
we proceed to Rosh
Hashanah and Yom
Kippur. However,
this alone, of
course, will not
change the course of
events. In one of
the most famous
parts of the Yomim
Noraim liturgy we
say “the Heavens and
all the celestial
beings shake from
the expectations of
the awesome decree
of who will live….”
But soon after on
the heels of this
piece of the
davening comes the
shouts of “Tshuva,
tfila and tzedaka
have the power to
nullify the evil
decree. This means
that since HaShem is
“chaifetz chesed hu”
- desires to do the
utmost kindness with
His people, then if
we involve
ourselves in these
activities, while by
the letter of the
law we would not
deserve His favor,
but since He is
chafetz chesed, we
are assured of all
the good in this
world.
May this year be a
“shnas geula
ve’yeshua, shnas
shalom tova uv’rocha”.
(Excerpted from the
new sefer of the Rav
“Darchei Shleimus,
cheilek beis”... now
available)
Pesach 5763 –
2003
From Rav Margolis
excepted from his
new Sefer
The Holiday of
Sukkos is also named
the holiday of
Simcha, of joy. Upon
reflection, it would
seem that this would
be more appropriate
for Pesach. Isn’t
this the holiday at
which we received
our freedom and
became a nation,
what greater joy
than this?
Furthermore we sit
around our beautiful
tables filled with
delicacies
expounding upon the
Haggada with all the
family present. On
Sukkos we leave our
homes to sit in the,
sometimes cold,
sukkah and not
always large enough
for the entire
family. We are
always worried about
rain, heat, etc, is
this true Simcha? In
fact Shavuous which
is the time we
received the Torah
is also designated
for a feeling of
Simcha as the
‘Gemara in Pesachim
68 says all agree on
Shavuous one must
enjoy with a festive
meal. It seems that
Pesach is considered
in a different
category.
We must therefore
conclude that the
Simcha being
discussed is not a
physical one but
rather a spiritual
one which will be
celebrated with a
physical Simcha –
There is a possuk in
Vayikra –
HuLakachtem Lachem
BaYom HaRishon
VeChule
BeSimchatchem Lifnei
HaShem Elokechem
Shivat Yomim
The Chazal comment
about this possuk
that the word "Rishon"
refers to the clean
slate that a person
received after Yom
Kippur and now
starts the first new
account. The Lulav
and Esrog symbolize
the greatness of the
Jewish people and
this, in turn,
creates an aura of
joy which permeates
the entire chag,
hence Zman
Simchateinu. In fact
this uplifting
spiritual existence
allows us to
experience the
ingathering of
crops, the
acquisition of
wealth and still we
remain steadfast in
our faith. Now, we
may leave our homes
with the confidence
that Hashem watches
over us.
With this we can
better understand
the Yalkut thillim
in the possuk of "Ve
Nismecha Bo"
The medrash
comments, in what
lays the joy? Is it
the day or is it
Hashem? Comes Shlomo
Hamelech and
concludes "Bach" in
you, in your Torah.
The Simcha is not in
the day but in the
Torah. This is why
Sukkos concludes
with Simchas Torah.
We are not a
physical nation but
a spiritual nation.
May Hashem grant us
redemption from all
our enemies in our
time and we should
experience the
everlasting
spiritual uplifting
with the coming of
Moshiach.
New Book Release
Announcement
We are excited to
announce the
publishing of a new
book by our revered
Rav Shloma Margolis,
Shlita
"The Path to
Perfection" Volume
II "Darchei
HaShlemos AL
Mahamere Chazal"
Selection of
thoughts and views
pertaining to the
essays of our Sages
and various Torah
topics. It will soon
be available in book
stores and through
the Shul.
Rosh HaShanah 5763
– 2002-2003
In
ספר חובות הלבבות שער
יחוד המעשה פרק ה'
he admonishes man to
remember one
thought. The
greatest enemy to
man is the yetzer
hara (man’s innate
nature to follow the
wrong directive).
Yet, man sleeps
while the enemy is
on the prowl. The
nature of a human
being is that when
the enemy is roaming
around in the
neighborhood, he
cannot fall asleep,
nor let his guard
down. The problem
then is, that man
does not recognize
the Yetzer Hara as
an enemy. Man falls
asleep. The Yetzer
Hara is constantly
alert in an effort
to mislead his
victim, and to
persuade him/her to
go off the proven
path of Torah.
However, there comes
a time when each
person must awaken
and take
accountability for
his actions. This
is the last month of
the year, the month
of Elul. Elul is a
month when one must
realize that time is
slipping away. It
is in this vein that
the Rambam
interprets the sound
of the shofar. A
shrill reminder:
“Wake up, return,
and remember your
Creator.” What does
the Creator request
of man? To this
question the Torah
answers,
דברים י יג))
“What does Hashem
ask of you? Only to
fear Him, to guard
his mitzvos, for
your own good.” The
Navi expresses this
thought as well in
מיכה ו' ח'
“What does Hashem
ask of you? But to
do acts of
righteousness and
kindness.” For your
own good!
“Jealousy, glory
seeking and
addiction to habits
destroy ones life”.
(Pirkei Avos)
Planting the proper
ethics and midos in
a person only extend
his life
expectancy. Midos
Tovos combat the
depression caused by
the aforementioned
bad character
traits.
Shlomo Hamelech
described it
perfectly in Koheles
5:11, “Sweet is the
year of the one who
works (and is
satisfied with his
lot), but the
satisfaction of the
rich doesn’t allow
them to sleep.” For
forty years Hashem
sustained the Bnei
Yisroel in the
midbar to
demonstrate to them
that there is no
reason to be jealous
etc. for Hashem
tends personally to
the needs of man.
To reach this
magnificent level we
must all strive to
reach yiras shamayim
in all our
endeavors. Then and
only then does
Hashem assist us in
our war against the
yetzer hara. May we
all rise levels in
our Avodas Hashem
and fend off the
enemies that wish to
consume our holy
nation.
I wish you all a
happy and healthy
new year. To all my
friends and family
in Chai Odom I say,
"לשנה טובה תכתבו
ותחתמו ושנת גאולה
וישועה".
Pesach 5762 –
2002
From his
sefer Drachei Shleimus
The Torah commands
parents time after
time to impart the
lessons of “Yetzias
Mitzraim” to their
children.
In order that you
should tell into the
ears of your son…
And it will be when
your son will say to
you…
And you should tell
your son…
Why does the Torah
mention this
obligation in so
many different ways?
The Drachei Shleimus
written by our
beloved Rav, Rabbi
Margolis explains:
The Torah stresses
this concept to
inform us that the
primary obligation
of educating ones
child is on us, the
parents. Information
can be passed on
from teacher to
student but “Yeras
Shamaim” - fear of
G-d and “Midos Tovos”
must be taught at
home. Parents set
the tone - they
create the
atmosphere in which
a child is nurtured.
It is not enough to
exempt ourselves
from our obligation
of Chinuch by
sending our children
to school. Chinuch
begins at home “Ki
Yshalcha Bencha”
when your son
asks you, not
just his teacher
educating him.
Wishing you all a
“Chag Kosher
VeSameach”
Rosh HaShanah 5762
– 2001-2002
In a short time, the sound of the Shofar will echo around the world. The Rambam describes this sound in the Laws of Teshuva: "It wakens us from our spiritual slumber." That is to say, it summons us to inspect our actions. Perhaps we have caused strife or pain to our fellow man. This, of course, is the most difficult of the service of man to his Creator. To seek forgiveness from one's fellow man is a supreme prerequisite to seeking atonement from G-d. This is the exact reason why the Torah chose to refer to this holiday as "Yom Teruah," the day of the sound of the Shofar calling to us. We must tend to an inventory of our actions of the entire year. Prepare for the year 5762. Express regrets for the mistakes of last year and accept a resolution to improve in the new year.
 |
Rav Shloma Margolis's Sefer
– 2002
It is with great pride and thanks to the Almighty that Chai Odom receives the publication of the beautiful sefer of our beloved Rav Shloma Margolis. The name, Darkei Hashelemos, The Ways of Perfection, epitomize the ways and hopes of our revered teacher. May he enjoy many years of health and happiness. The new book is available at Israel Book Shop or through the shul.
The following appeared in the pages of the monthly magazine Kol Beroma printed in Bnei Brak as a review article of Rav Shloma Margolis’s sefer.
To wander through the pages of the sefer of Rav Shloma Margolis is to wander through that generation of the Second World War. That was a generation which knew that the need to strengthen Torah meant to literally sacrifice one's life for that goal.
"Darkei Hashelemos " is a sefer that takes us through those tragic years but elevates us to the heavenly heights of spirituality.
If one was not there, it would be better never to know of such a situation. How could they continue the learning of Torah in such difficult situations, in ghettoes and under such conditions?
Not many of us know that Rav Margolis was able to establish Yeshivos before and after the war under the Navordok umbrella. Many of his talmidim have continued on to become teachers and leaders themslves. They attribute their love for Torah to Rav Shloma Margolis. He was a beacon of light to many students who lost entire families. Reb Shloma, whose exemplary character traits attract many of the youth here in Ramat Elchonon, already in Lithuania, was a warm influence on many talmidim.
In his Sefer which contains original thoughts on each Parsha, there is an approbation from HaRav Zilberstein. He lauds the author and the title of the Sefer for, in fact, the author drank the waters of those who sought perfection among the many Roshei Yeshiva of the Navordok Yeshivos. Hagaon Harav Yaakov Edelstein Shlita writes about Rav Margolis that he was able to disseminate Torah before, during and after "the great flood".
In the introduction to the Sefer, Rav Margolis details the history of his life and the world around him, with emotional language. For the Yeshiva person it is worthy to study word by word this part to realize the ability of one to endure all the oppression and depression and still continue to exist as a Torah Jew. In detailing the events, the reader is introduced to the Yeshivos that the author helped begin. One for the young men in the vicinity of Pinsk, one in Lubatsh and after the war in Lodz, Poland.
Afterwards, due to the financial pressures of the times, the Yeshiva was forced to relocate to the city of Prague. At this point in time, the great sage Rav Arye Leib Grosnes arrived on the scene from London, England. He had in his possession twenty visas of entry for the immigrant Yeshiva bochurim. Rav Margolis entrusted to him twenty of his bochurim, including his two brothers-in law, Yudel and Ela Dovek, who later emigrated to Boston with him.
In a portion of this history the author describes a unique society, a brotherhood of five of the elite bochurim of the Novardok network. Its sole purpose was to encourage and strengthen one another and to ensure future contact with one another. Following are the seven resolutions that they accepted upon themselves, testifying to the greatness of these humble individuals. One, by the way, Rav Shlomo Podolsky of blessed memory later settled in Eretz Yisroel and his son Rav Nachum Podolsky , Rosh Yeshiva of Siach Yitzchak , eventually married the daughter of Rav Margolis. 1. To correspond each half year with each member. 2. Before proceeding to write the letter, one should learn at least 15 minutes of mussar about Bain Adom L’chavero. 3. Each seventh of Shvat one should celebrate their friendship and also write letters to each other. If it is Shabbos then this would be postponed till Sunday. 4. Each seventh of Shvat one should study 15 minutes of mussar concerning conduct with ones fellow man. 5. To assist one another both physically and financially as one would a brother. 6. To inform each other of a change of address. 7. The eventual goal is to gather together and settle in one place in Eretz Yisroel.
The author attests to the fact that he fulfilled the first six resolutions all the years in America and finally fulfilled the seventh one eight years ago when he settled in B’nei Brak.
The publishing of this volume marks a festive occasion for his friends and neighbors of Ramat Elchonon, who see in Rav Margolis an image, shadow and reflection of a generation of the past.
The author has merited to see all his children and grandchildren become Talmidei chachomim and true servants of Hashem. The education of the past is now surfacing in the traits and conduct of the many grandchildren who come to visit and leave a lasting impression on all of us in Ramat Elchonon.
May he continue to teach and write his Torah thoughts for many more healthy and happy years.
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