Partners In Prayer - Siddur

T he 1st of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yitzchak Meir of Zinkov, son of the Apta Rav (1855). “They shall make a Sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).”  As much as you rise toward Me, so I will descend   to meet you. It is through your striving to ascend that you create the meeting place between Me and you . That is how you will merit, “So that I may dwell among them.” (Rabbi Meir of Apta; Ohr L’Shamayim-Terumah)   “A Psalm; a song for the inauguration of the Temple, by David. I will exalt You, God, for You have drawn me up (Psalms 30:1–2).” The way we inaugurate the Temple is by reaching up to God by exalting Him, with full faith that He will draw me up to Him. By:  Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, n''y

Listening to a musical melody on instruments played by a pious musician for the sake of heaven can be very helpful in attaining joy, and also subdue and clarify the imagination.  Through this, one merits awareness and concentration   of his thoughts on the World to Come and to perceive the clues which God provides for him every day on how to draw closer to Him. By means of such song and joy, one can even attain prophecy and the Holy Spirit. (Likkutei Eiztot, Simcha #14)   Psalm 148 is the Song of all Creation celebrating Redemption. Use Pesukei D’zimrah as an opportunity to listen in to their music so as to focus on the joy of the World to Come. By: Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, n''y

The reason for the mitzvah to give half a Shekel is offered by Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (Manot Levi), cited by the Alshich, as follows: It was intended to teach the Children of Israel the importance of unity , that no one should   ever think that he ought to be separate from his fellow man. Rather, he should view himself as being merely half a person, and only after joining all other Jews does he become complete. Therefore, everyone gives half a Shekel.   The commentaries wrote, concerning a Haman’s statement to King Achashveirosh that, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples (Esther 3:8),” that the Jews are a people divided and therefore easily conquered. Therefore through Mordecai, did Esther cry out, “Go, gather together all the Jews (4:16), meaning, in order to repair the devices in this gather them together, in unity. That is why the Torah commanded that everyone gave half a Shekel each year as “ransom for the soul (Exodus 30:12).” For this sin ...