Page 24 - MOADIM

1
moadey heshana

How can its recitation also prove ineffectual in warding off the yetzer # 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Moadim-EYAL | 1 - A | 18-08-19 | 13:51:55 | SR:-- | Black 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Moadim-EYAL | 1 - A | 18-08-19 | 13:51:55 | SR:-- | Magenta 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Moadim
hara?

Often, one studies Torah only perfunctorily. This type of Torah study does
not have the power to protect him from the yetzer hara. Similarly, reciting
Kriyat Shema without proper intention does not save one from the yetzer
hara. Only remembering the day of death works in such a case.

The very word Elul conjured dread and fear in the hearts of our Torah
giants. It is an acronym of the phrase . The last letters
symbolize luxuries which seem small and insignificant but can bring a
person to sin.

The yetzer hara causes one to trip up in small things. Little by little, it
convinces him to sin in more serious areas.
A king is commanded not to have too many horses. The pasuk begins with
the plural form “horses” and ends with “horse.” This teaches that even
one extra horse has the power to cause a king to stumble into sin. After
Shlomo Hamelech violated this command, the letter of the phrase “

– he shall not increase” approached Hashem with the complaint that
Shlomo sinned against it. This smallest letter hints to excessive
materialism, which seems small but accumulates into a massive power that
can drive a wedge between us and Hashem.

The Sages considered including Shlomo among those who are unworthy
of a portion in the World to Come, since he had damaged the letter with
which that world was created. The word alludes to the four worlds
through which Hashem sends blessing to our world. One who sins in
overindulgence blocks the pipelines of blessing.