SF - # Preserving the Future

The journey is beautiful

NEW: See Bottom of Page: "Ask the Rabbi" "If you come across a bird’s nest... you shall surely send away the mother, and the young you may take for yourself, so that it may go well with you and you may long endure." (Ki Tzeitzei 22:6-7) The Mitzvah of Shiluach HaKen (sending away the mother bird) applies specifically to wild birds. Unlike those we raise at home, wild creatures are vulnerable to the harsh realities of nature and the risk of extinction. By sending away the mother, we perform an act of global kindness—preserving the species and ensuring the "circle of life" continues. One might wonder: "How does sparing a single bird change the world?" The Seforno teaches us that the world is sustained through collective action. When we all act with such sensitivity, we ensure that no species vanishes due to human consumption. If HaShem promises the profound reward of "goodness and long life" for showing sensitivity to a bird, imagine the magnitude of the blessing when we act with kindness toward a fellow human being. Every small gesture of preservation and care is a seed planted for a blessed and lengthy future. Moral: Every creation has a place in HaShem’s world. When we protect life and show sensitivity to the "big picture," we align ourselves with Divine mercy. 3 Practical Exercises 1. The "Big Picture" Pause The Seforno emphasizes that our actions affect the entire species. The Exercise: Once today, before you use a resource (food, paper, water, or even energy), pause for five seconds. Acknowledge that this resource comes from HaShem’s world. The Goal: To move from "consuming" to "stewarding." By acknowledging the source, you transform a physical act into a spiritual act of preserving the world’s dignity. 2. "Sending Away" a Grievance Just as we send the mother bird away to let life continue, we often hold onto "grudges" or "critiques" that stifle the growth of others. The Exercise: Identify one person you have been critical of lately. "Send away" that negative thought or criticism. Instead of "taking" their dignity by pointing out a flaw, intentionally offer them a word of encouragement that helps them "stand tall." The Goal: To preserve the emotional well-being of a fellow Jew, mirroring the preservation of the bird's life. 3. The Kindness of Longevity The Torah rewards this Mitzvah with "long life." The Exercise: Perform a "hidden" favor for someone—something that won't give you immediate credit or "payback," but will benefit them in the long run (like clearing a tripping hazard, or making an anonymous introduction for a job seeker). The Goal: To act with the same selflessness required in Shiluach HaKen, where the reward isn't found in the moment, but is stored up by HaShem as "goodness and length of days." Ask the Rabbi: Life Advice You are welcome to ask any question and receive a personal, private response from Rabbi Zvi Miller. Please email: salantorg@gmail.com Donations and Dedications Donate May the souls who left this world be remembered for a blessing. HaRav HaGaon Rebe Mordecai ben Rav Moshe and Rebbitzen Mazel Malka bas Sara R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph R' Asher Zelig ben Zvi Hirsch and Moras Raizel bas Pesach Meira Leah bas Michael Basha Elka bas Moshe HaCohen Devorah bas Moshe HaRav HaGaon Rebe Yisrael ben HaRav HaGaon Zev Wolf HaRav HaGaon Rebe Moshe ben HaRav HaGaon Yacov Moshe Fisher HaRav HaGaon Daniel Zvi ben Avraham Chanuch HaRav HaGaon Ben Zion Freid HaRav HaGoan Yaacov Yitzchak Abrahams HaRav HaGaon Gershon Chaim ben Nachum Zev HaRav Ha Gaon Yehoshua Bergman R' Maair Ben R' Yakutiel and Javayeer z"tl Rav Asher ben Chasha Mosha Basha and Chaya Breina Lazarus Refuah Shleimah Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta Zivia bas Raizel Tzvi ben Chana Avner Shimon ben Argamon Leah Hadassah bas Michal Chana Chava Bas Michal Chanah Nuna bas Nuna Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora Chaya Leah bas Sara Chaya Shaina Chana Bas Itcha Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora Shmuel Ben Navat Chanah Tauba bat Tzilah. Daniella bat Sarah Rise bat Faiga Kal Cholei Yisrael salantfoundation.org US 305 653 1182 Israel 058 429 8471 Visit our website Connect with us Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email

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SF - # The Purim Lesson of Love

The journey is beautiful

NEW: See Bottom of Page: "Ask the Rabbi" Haman was a very mean dude, He wanted to kill HaShem's children, the entire brood.   Yet it was only Mordecai who refused to bow down. So why did he want to kill every Jew in town?   Haman had an anger issue; he was out of control. He was an evil monster without heart and soul.   Mordecai rallied the Jews to fast, cry, and pray. He teamed up with Queen Esther, who saved the day.   When the smoke cleared, the Jews danced with joy, And they thanked HaShem for neutralizing the "boy."   They said, "There is a great lesson to learn. Anger is poison that must always be spurned."   So we spread love on Purim, and we give gifts to our friends. And with compassion in our hearts, charity we send.   We fill our hearts with kindness and love for one and all. Have a HAPPY  Purim and remember -- every Jew should always stand tall. Practical Exercises To turn these words into action, try these three exercises focused on the "Lesson of Love": 1. The "Mishloach Manot" Bridge-Builder The poem mentions spreading love to friends. This Purim, identify one person in your community with whom you’ve had a minor disagreement or "chilled" relationship. Make them a priority on your Mishloach Manot (gift basket) list. The Goal: To use the holiday as a tool to dissolve friction and replace it with a gesture of peace. 2. The "Stand Tall" Affirmation The poem ends with the call for every Jew to "stand tall." Spend five minutes in quiet reflection or group discussion focusing on a moment this year when you felt proud of your heritage. The Goal: Write down one way you can "stand tall" in your daily life—whether through a mitzvah, a kind word, or learning Torah—to counter the "fear" Haman tried to instill.  Ask the Rabbi: Life Advice You are welcome to ask any question and receive a personal, private response from Rabbi Zvi Miller. Please email: salantorg@gmail.com Donations and Dedications Donate May the souls who left this world be remembered for a blessing. HaRav HaGaon Rebe Mordecai ben Rav Moshe and Rebbitzen Mazel Malka bas Sara R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph R' Asher Zelig ben Zvi Hirsch and Moras Raizel bas Pesach Meira Leah bas Michael Basha Elka bas Moshe HaCohen Devorah bas Moshe HaRav HaGaon Rebe Yisrael ben HaRav HaGaon Zev Wolf HaRav HaGaon Rebe Moshe ben HaRav HaGaon Yacov Moshe Fisher HaRav HaGaon Daniel Zvi ben Avraham Chanuch HaRav HaGaon Ben Zion Freid HaRav HaGoan Yaacov Yitzchak Abrahams HaRav HaGaon Gershon Chaim ben Nachum Zev HaRav Ha Gaon Yehoshua Bergman R' Maair Ben R' Yakutiel and Javayeer z"tl Rav Asher ben Chasha Mosha Basha and Chaya Breina Lazarus Refuah Shleimah Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta Zivia bas Raizel Tzvi ben Chana Avner Shimon ben Argamon Leah Hadassah bas Michal Chana Chava Bas Michal Chanah Nuna bas Nuna Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora Chaya Leah bas Sara Chaya Shaina Chana Bas Itcha Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora Shmuel Ben Navat Chanah Tauba bat Tzilah. Daniella bat Sarah Rise bat Faiga Kal Cholei Yisrael salantfoundation.org US 305 653 1182 Israel 058 429 8471 Visit our website Connect with us Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email

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SF - # The Arizal's Secret Bond Between Yom Kippur and Purim

The journey is beautiful

NEW: See Bottom of Page: "Ask the Rabbi" The Arizal famously taught that Yom HaKipurim can be read as Yom Ke-Purim—a day that is "like" Purim. On the surface, they are opposites: one is defined by fasting and awe, the other by feasting and celebration. However, their internal essence is identical. The Connection of Torah Acceptance The commonality lies in the re-acceptance of the Torah. While the Torah was first given at Sinai, both Yom Kippur and Purim represent moments where the Jewish people chose the Torah anew from a place of deep transformation: Yom Kippur: After the sin of the Golden Calf, Bnei Yisrael repented. On this day, Hashem granted forgiveness and the second set of Tablets. This acceptance was fueled by Awe (Yira) and the relief of atonement. Purim: In the face of Haman’s decree, the nation united in faith. When the "hidden miracles" unfolded, they accepted the Torah again—this time fueled by intense Love (Ahava) and Joy. The Talmud (Shabbos 88a) notes that while Sinai had an element of coercion ("He suspended the mountain over them"), on Purim, they accepted it completely of their own free will. The Moral: The Master of the Hidden The miracles of Purim were Nissim Nistarim (hidden miracles), cloaked in "natural" political shifts. This reveals a profound truth: Hashem is just as present in the mundane as He is in the supernatural. Whether through the intense holiness of Yom Kippur or the "coincidences" of Purim, Hashem orchestrates nature to save His people. Any negative situation can be overturned (V’nahafoch Hu) in an instant through the power of Teshuva (repentance), Emunah (faith), and Tefillah (prayer). Application Exercises To internalize this connection between the "Awe" of Yom Kippur and the "Joy" of Purim, try these three exercises: 1. The "V’nahafoch Hu" Flip: Identify one current "hidden" difficulty or stressor in your life. Spend two minutes visualizing the exact moment that the situation reverses into a blessing. The Goal: Bridge the gap between Purim and Yom Kippur by treating your current struggle as a catalyst for a "High Holiday" level of growth, trusting that the salvation is already being orchestrated behind the scenes. 2. Finding the "Holy" in the "Hidden:" Purim teaches us that Hashem is hidden in the physical world (eating, drinking, politics). Today, pick one mundane physical act (like eating a meal or answering emails) and consciously perform it with the same focus and "awe" you would have while praying on Yom Kippur. The Goal: To unify the two days by bringing the sanctity of the Fast Day into the actions of the Feast Day. 3. The Timeline of Redemption: Reflect on a past challenge that eventually led to a positive outcome you didn't see coming at the time. Write down three "coincidences" that had to happen for that good outcome to occur. The Goal: To strengthen your faith in the "Application" mentioned by the Vilna Gaon—envisioning Hashem lining up the events of history specifically to bring about your healing and joy.  Ask the Rabbi: Life Advice You are welcome to ask any question and receive a personal, private response from Rabbi Zvi Miller. Please email: salantorg@gmail.com Donations and Dedications Donate May the souls who left this world be remembered for a blessing. HaRav HaGaon Rebe Mordecai ben Rav Moshe and Rebbitzen Mazel Malka bas Sara R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph R' Asher Zelig ben Zvi Hirsch and Moras Raizel bas Pesach Meira Leah bas Michael Basha Elka bas Moshe HaCohen Devorah bas Moshe HaRav HaGaon Rebe Yisrael ben HaRav HaGaon Zev Wolf HaRav HaGaon Rebe Moshe ben HaRav HaGaon Yacov Moshe Fisher HaRav HaGaon Daniel Zvi ben Avraham Chanuch HaRav HaGaon Ben Zion Freid HaRav HaGoan Yaacov Yitzchak Abrahams HaRav HaGaon Gershon Chaim ben Nachum Zev HaRav Ha Gaon Yehoshua Bergman R' Maair Ben R' Yakutiel and Javayeer z"tl Rav Asher ben Chasha Mosha Basha and Chaya Breina Lazarus Refuah Shleimah Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta Zivia bas Raizel Tzvi ben Chana Avner Shimon ben Argamon Leah Hadassah bas Michal Chana Chava Bas Michal Chanah Nuna bas Nuna Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora Chaya Leah bas Sara Chaya Shaina Chana Bas Itcha Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora Shmuel Ben Navat Chanah Tauba bat Tzilah. Daniella bat Sarah Rise bat Faiga Kal Cholei Yisrael salantfoundation.org US 305 653 1182 Israel 058 429 8471 Visit our website Connect with us Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email

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