Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (Part 2)

30 Sivan 5785

Rosh Chodesh Aleph

Chodesh Tov!

It's the new month of Tammuz - the fourth month from Nissan.  Already anticipating the fast of the 17th and the restrictions of the three weeks leading up to Tisha b'Av, we are usually already feeling a lowering of mood, a bit of sadness for what's to come.  

Although the month is full of terrible events and tales of suffering through the ages, there is a bright note on the third day of Tammuz recorded in the Tanakh (Yehoshua 10:12-13)...

"Then Yehoshua spoke to God, on the day when God delivered the Emorites before the Children of Israel, and he said in Israel's presence:  Sun, stand in place upon Givon, and moon, upon the valley of Ayalon.  And the sun stood still and the moon remained in place until the nation had avenged herself upon her enemies."

Just as an attack on God's people is an attack on God Himself causing a chillul Hashem, vengeance taken on those enemies who dared to attack causes a kiddush Hashem.  To glorify the Name of God, all of creation might stand still. 

Gimmel (3rd) Tammuz is also the yahrtzeit of the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.  The date is commemorated every year by his students and followers.

On the same date in 1927, the death sentence that had been issued by the Soviets for the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory, was lifted. Ten days later, on the 12th and 13th of Tammuz, his subsequent sentence to exile was cleared and he was released from prison.

Given the strong association of the Rebbe with Mashiach and Geulah, maybe this sense of celebration in Tammuz is a prophetic sign for the transition of this month from one of sadness to one of joy.

Tammuz Means “Heating”

Rashi explains that Tammuz means “heating,” like a glowing furnace—an appropriate name for the month which occurs at the height of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere), roughly coinciding with July.

Expect whatever is going on when Tammuz arrives to start heating up until it reaches a boiling point. 

It’s Associated with Esau

The Zohar tells us that the first three months are associated with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Tammuz and Av, the fourth and fifth months, were taken by Jacob’s evil twin brother, Esau. Not surprisingly, both Holy Temples were destroyed during this time (one by the Romans, heirs of Esau).  (Source)

Tammuz and Av are the months when the sun holds its greatest sway. The days are long, and the heat is at its peak of the year. Esav and the powers of evil are represented by the sun, and thus, we can see that the very nature of reality shows that Esav has power in these months. 

...It is remarkable that Tammuz is the month of Yosef’s birth. ...As Rashi says on the verses that describe the birth of Yosef, Yosef is the force which balances out the evil of Esav, which was why Yakov felt he could return to where Esav was once Yosef was born. Thus, the counter-force for Esav comes into the world at the very time when Esav’s power is ascendent.

Esav is an aspect of the Golden Calf – the forces of evil that bring death into the world. On a certain level, this is literal, as we find that Esav was the one who had transgressed the three cardinal sins, one of which is murder. Yosef can thus be described as an aspect of the Red Heifer – who comes as a counter-force for the death that is brought into the world through his spiritual opposite, Esav.

Most interestingly, Yosef functions in the spiritual facet of gevurah, which, as we said, is represented by the color red and the concept of the cow. This means that Yosef must use the very power of gevurah (literally – strength) – which is the tool of the side of evil – against the forces of evil. Whereas Esav and his spiritual counterparts make use of strength to destroy and bring about death, Yosef uses his strength to control his desires, and to eradicate those very forces of destruction. (Source)

Tammuz was to be the time of tikkun for the entire Jewish people, via the spies, one from each tribe, and this was to be the final rectification before the days of Moshiach which would have began, had Moshe brought the Jewish people into the land of Israel and built the Beis Hamikdash. The light of the redemptions of Nissan, Iyar and Sivan would have paled in comparison to the greater revelations of Tammuz, Av and Elul. Indeed, in the future, these months will be months of joy, as the prophet tells us that the fast days will become holidays in the future. This is due to the inherent light that is contained within these days, the light that fell and has been hidden away for the future. Despite the fact that it is hidden, this is the very aspect of Yosef, who was born on the first of Tammuz. He represents the concept of the hidden process of Geulah, a process that is covered by seemingly natural events. Just as the brothers did not recognize Yosef, although he recognized them, we also do not recognize the Moshiach ben Yosef process, unless we try to see beneath the facade.  (Source)

I'm sure one of the commentaries addresses the timing of the downfall of Eisav, but I am unaware of it.  However, judging by what this says about the power of Yosef overcoming the power of Eisav, there is every reason to think that the ultimate downfall of Eisav's progeny (Edom) will occur at this time of the year.  It does say that before HKB"H brings someone down, he first raises them up high.

Looking for wonderful things to happen - wonderful for klal Yisrael, not so good for the rest of the world, yet.  Just keep your eyes on the prize and ignore the doubts and the naysayers.  Remember, doubt (safek) has the same gematria as Amalek.  Never doubt Hashem's promises or His goodness, His kindness, or His love for us.  No matter what happens it will be good because He is good and we are His!!

Besorot tovot!!  Chodesh tov umevorach!!

***

 BONUS: The Iran Israel war is technically over — 
but the real story is just beginning...

(Important perspective : Warning on language!)