SF - # The Light We Take: Unlocking the Secret of a Mitzvah

The journey is beautiful

NEW: See Bottom of Page: "Ask the Rabbi" The Secret of "Taking" Light "And you shall command the Children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil... to kindle the lamps continually" (Shemot 27:20). The Torah’s phrasing is curious. Grammatically, it should have said, "They shall bring to you olive oil." By using the word "take" (Veyikchu), the Torah reveals a transformative secret: When we perform a Mitzvah with the proper intention, we are not "giving" anything to Hashem. Rather, we are taking a gift—a supply of Divine light and holiness. As the Midrash (Mishlei 6:23) teaches: "The Mitzvah is a lamp." When a person fulfills a Mitzvah, it is as if they have kindled a flame before Hashem and infused their own soul with vitality. For the soul of man is the "Lamp of Hashem." Moral: Every Mitzvah is a spiritual wellspring. The more we recognize Hashem’s Presence within the act, the more we nourish our souls with fresh supplies of light and life. 3 Application Exercises 1. The "Refilling the Vessel" Visualization Context: Use this before performing a physical Mitzvah (like giving Tzedakah or putting on Tefillin). The Exercise: Instead of viewing the Mitzvah as a "task" you are completing, pause for ten seconds. Visualize your soul as a vessel that receives Divine Light. The Thought: Tell yourself: "I am not 'giving' my time or money away; I am reaching into a wellspring to 'take' the oil I need to make my soul shine again." Perform the act with the feeling that you are being replenished, not drained. 2. The "Aharon HaKohen" Mirror Context: When feeling uninspired or "heavy" regarding your spiritual routine. The Exercise: Recall the image of Aharon HaKohen in the Mishkan. His greatness was that he kindled the lights with the exact same excitement every single day ("Shelo Shina"—he did not change). The Thought: Envision a beam of light extending from the Mitzvah directly to your heart, just as it did for Aharon. Ask yourself: "If I could see the light I am 'taking' right now, how would my posture and my smile change?" Try to physically adjust your stance to reflect that newfound closeness. 3. The "Light Log" (End of Day) Context: A brief evening reflection (Cheshbon HaNefesh). The Exercise: Identify one Mitzvah you did today. It could be a kind word to a neighbor or a moment of prayer. The Thought: Reflect on the "afterglow." Did you feel a moment of peace, a sense of purpose, or a spark of connection? Recognize that this feeling wasn't just a psychological byproduct—it was the actual "taking" of the light mentioned in the verse. Write down one sentence: "Today, through the Mitzvah of [X], I took a supply of light for my soul." Life Advice – עצת חיים 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 Tipping Point

The journey is beautiful

NEW: See Bottom for New Program: "Ask the Rabbi" The Gemara in Kiddushin 40b teaches: "A person should always regard himself and the entire world as if they are balanced—half culpable and half meritorious. If he performs one Mitzvah, happy is he, for he tips himself and the whole world to the side of merit. If he commits one sin, he tips himself and the whole world to the side of culpability." Our Sages offer a deeply motivational perspective on spiritual growth. None of us are "small" players; rather, every individual stands at the absolute pivotal point of global judgment. By viewing ourselves as partners with all of mankind, we realize that the world’s status is perpetually in flux. Since we view the scale as perfectly balanced at fifty percent, every single deed—no matter how private—profoundly affects the collective welfare of humanity. This awareness inspires us to pursue Mitzvot with urgency, knowing we are bringing merit to the entire world. Conversely, it creates a powerful guardrail against sin, as we seek to protect the world from the weight of culpability. Moral Every Mitzvah is a world-saving act. Your individual choices do not happen in a vacuum; they infuse the entire fabric of creation with light, life, and joy. Application Internalize this "Half-and-Half" perspective today: The Vision: Visualize yourself and the entire world standing on a giant scale, perfectly balanced. The Partnership: Remind yourself: "I am a partner with every human being on Earth." The Action: Perform one Mitzvah—a kind word, a moment of prayer, or a hidden act of charity—with the specific intention of "tipping the scale." The Impact: Take advantage of the opportunity to literally save the world. Bring a favorable judgment upon existence with the very next Mitzvah you perform. (Based on Kiddushin 40b and the commentary of the Bnei Yehoyada) Life Advice – עצת חיים 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 Soul’s Sanctuary: A Reflection on the Third Beit HaMikdash

The journey is beautiful

NEW: See Bottom for New Program: "Ask the Rabbi" "Tell the House of Israel about the Temple" (Yechezkel 43) The Beit HaMikdash remains the focal point of our prayers, even nearly two millennia after its destruction. It is HaShem’s dwelling place on earth—a microcosm of the entire universe. Its azure curtains reflect the heavens, its wooden pillars stand as the trees, and the Menorah radiates the light of the sun, moon, and stars. At its heart lies the Holy of Holies, representing the very soul of man. This connection signifies that the human soul is inherently and supremely holy—the spiritual core of our being, just as the inner sanctum was the core of the Temple. Although our material nature often obscures this inner light, the potent holiness of the Beit HaMikdash once granted every individual a miraculous glimpse into their own essence. Communing with the Shechinah (Divine Presence) awakened vast new vistas of inspiration within the Jewish heart. The Moral The holiness of the Beit HaMikdash resonates eternally within the consciousness of Klal Yisrael. These spiritual impressions are deeply ingrained in our collective psyche, surviving even in an era of physical absence. By meditating on the Temple, we bypass the passage of time, stimulating these latent impressions and reclaiming the experience of standing in the Divine Presence. The Application Close your eyes and envision yourself entering the courtyards of the Beit HaMikdash. Imagine the Kohen Gadol officiating in the Holy of Holies. Allow yourself to feel the overwhelming awe and joy of being near HaShem. Experience the purity of your own soul, the sweetness of spirituality, and let that clarity inspire your service of HaShem today. 3 Exercises To deepen the "Application" section, here are three practical exercises based on the teachings of Rav Aharon Kotler and the Mussar tradition: The "Internal Sanctuary" Visualization: Spend five minutes in a quiet space. Identify one "material" distraction currently weighing on you (e.g., a financial stress or a physical craving). Imagine it as a heavy curtain being pulled back to reveal a bright, untouchable light behind it—your soul. Remind yourself: "My essence is as holy as the Holy of Holies; this distraction is only the outer wall." The Menorah Breath-Work: As the Menorah represents the celestial lights and the wisdom of the Torah, practice a breathing exercise where you inhale slowly for a count of seven (representing the seven lamps). With each breath, imagine pulling the clarity and "sunlight" of the Temple into your mind to dispel any personal confusion or "darkness." The "Walking in the Courtyard" Prompt: During your Shemoneh Esrei (the Amidah), specifically during the blessing of Retzei (the prayer for the return of the Temple service), pause for ten seconds. Imagine the smell of the incense (Ketoret) and the sound of the Levites singing. Ask yourself: "If I were standing in the Azarah (Courtyard) right now, how would I speak to HaShem differently?" Carry that level of focus into the rest of your prayer. Life Advice – עצת חיים 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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