"THE THREE DAYS OF HAGBALLAH"

2 Sivan 5775
Day 46 of the Omer


From An Overview of Shavuos Part II
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times
(For the Refuah Shleimah of Boruch Zev Ben Bracha)

THE THREE DAYS OF HAGBALLAH

“The essence of these days,” according to the Shaar HaMelech, “is to separate ourselves from all the vanities of this world to be prepared to greet Hashem. In each and every year we should look at ourselves as if we are preparing ourselves for Kabalas HaTorah on the mountain of Sinai.”

The separation means to focus on things spiritual, and avoid an emphasis on aspects of the physical world that take us away from concentrating on Hashem and upon our relationship with Him. Our brachos should therefore be recited with more intensity and concentration, we should avoid unnecessary window shopping and looking at catalogues. Rather, our focus should be on three more important things: 1] improving on Davening, 2] on focusing more on the life lessons inherent in our Torah studies, and 3] upon Chessed. Each of these three brings us ever closer to Hashem Yisbarach.

[Part I here]