The Chozeh of Lublin teaches us that when the month of Av comes in we lessen the yetzer hara (evil inclination) B’simcha (with joy). Which evil inclination should we be working on these days of Av?
There is one yetzer hara which stand out as being the most destructive to ourselves and our People.
We know that the Second Temple, was destroyed because of sinat chinam (causeless hatred). We are now in a period of 9 days of mourning, culminating with Tisha B’av, because we do not have a Beit Hamikdash. We remain without our holy Temple for the simple reason that we have not yet fixed the causeless hatred in our hearts.
Today, Rosh Chodesh Av, is the yahrzeit of Aharon Hacohen. He epitomized the teaching, “love peace, seek peace, love people and bring them closer to the Torah.” The High Priest is inspiring us on this day to rid ourselves of the hatred we have inside of us for fellow Jews, fellow brothers and sisters. That hatred is the cause of so much destruction in our home, in our relationships, in our communities and worst of all sinat chinam causes inner disruption and pandemonium within our own soul.
Let’s take advantage of these 9 days to rid ourselves of the causeless hatred we have inside and approach the family member, neighbor or friend with renewed love and peace.
Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom
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