The pasuk (32:4) says "... all of his ways are mishpat... a tzaddik and straight is He." The Malbim asks (not here) what is the difference between mishpat and tzedek? He explains that mishpat is complete din (judgement). Even when you should probably be more lenient you still follow the strict judgement. But tzedek is knowing that sometimes it is necessary to merciful so even though you be strict according to the letter of the law you still are lenient. So what does this pasuk mean? Hashem's ways are pure din but He is merciful. What does that mean? Rashi explains it very well. When it comes to Reshaim (wicked people) Hashem is quick to judge them and will judge them strictly. But when it comes to the tzaddikim he is slow to judge them harshly. It seems clear that Hashem does not like to be strict. We see this from the words of the pasuk. His ways are mishpat but He Himself is tzedek. So even though He is tzedek He sometimes must be strict in judgement. This is a very important fact to know before Rosh Hashana. Hashem does not want to be harsh with us but we are the ones that force Him to judge us strictly. If we try are best to change our ways then He will happily be merciful.
Are You Even Alive?:
Rav Brevda in another fantastic sefer that I highly recommend, Yimai Ratzon, in his introduction has an amazing point that we must consider this Rosh Hashana (Pages 9-10). (Paraphrased) "Hashem's purpose for creation was so that the Shechina can rest in this world. And the Nefesh should be joined with the Guf of man. So there is no love like the love between the Nefesh for the Guf. Therefore, there is nothing harder in this world than the separation between the Guf and the Nefesh. The connection between the Nefesh and the Guf is called Chiam (life). This is one of the most precious things in the world. The earlier generations who were not effected by the gashmiut of this time spent a lot of time "living". This is why they feared the judgement of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur because it is the day that Hashem gives man life... But in your times we learned from ways of others and we forgot what it means to live. So when we ask that Hashem should remember us for life we do not even know what we are asking for. This is the reason why we do not have any fear on the day of judgement." May we all be zoche to live this year!
Amazing Story of the Chofetz Chiam:
Growth Through Torah page 465-466: "The Chofetz Chayim once asked someone about how things were going for him. "it wouldn't hurt if things were better," the man replied. "How can you possibly know that it wouldn't hurt?" replied the Chofetz Chayim. "The Almighty knows better than you. He is merciful and compassionate. If He felt it would be good for you for things to be better, He definitely would have made them better. Certainly things are good for you the way they are." (Chofetz Chayim al Hatorah, p.284)"
Again, I ask for mechila from anyone who I may have wronged this year, please forgive me.
Have a Chativa V'Chatima Tova, a good Yom Tov and a good Shabbat!
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