Countdown to Pesach-29-Esser Tzachtzachot

The Holy Dinover offended the Holy Rophshitzer and paid him a visit to placate him. Seeing the Dinover tremble from fear, the Rophshitzer said: “It is true that it lies within my power to punish you for your disrespect. Fear not, however, for I shall not use that power. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Put off your shoes from off your feet’ (Exodus 3:5).’ The word, Na’al, shoe, contains the initials of the words, Neshichah (Bite), Akitzah (Sting), and Lechishah (Hiss). We are taught in Pirkei Avot (2:15), that these are the three means by which the Sages inflict punishment for disrespect. But God instructed Moses, the first Sage, not to use these powers of punishment if the sinner regretted his offense (Esse Tzachtzachot, Page 112).”

The second of our steps toward Pesach is to practice letting go of verbal expressions of anger, an essential practice in becoming truly free.

Amidah-Closing Meditation: “My Lord; guard my tongue from evil, and my lips from speaking deceitfully. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent.” Pray for God’s help in managing destructive expressions of anger.