The Sages on Shovavim
Beginning with the weekly Torah portion of «Shemot» we enter holy and exalted days known as the days of SHOVaVIM —an acronym formed from the names of the parashiyot (weekly Torah portions) read during this period: Shemot, Va’era, Bo, Beshalach, Itro, Mishpatim.
The Gaon Rabbi Ben Zion Mutzafi (may he live a long and good life) says:
The Ari HaKadosh teaches that during these days, a person can rectify all the sins he committed throughout the year and even throughout his entire life. Moreover, during these days a person can rectify his entire soul—from all the sins he committed in all his reincarnations up to the present day—as brought in the books of Kabbalah.The Shelah HaKadosh (of blessed memory) writes the following about these great days:
“If a person knew the [true] virtues and significance of these holy days, he would not want to eat anything, because of the joy he would feel, since during these days he is able to atone for all his sins.”
How are these Days different from all others?
The Ari HaKadosh explains that these days are filled with blessing and salvation, because the parashiyot read during them awaken a spiritual light—the very light with which they shone thousands of years ago and which accompanies us to this day. These weekly portions tell of the splitting of Yam Suf, as a result of which the Jews became wealthy from the property the Egyptians had left in the sea. The Ari HaKadosh teaches that all that light returns and is awakened again in our time:
1) Shidduch —the Almighty “distributes” matches during this period, a process that our Sages compared to the splitting of the sea—Yam Suf (the portion about the splitting of Yam Suf);
2) Parnasah —during this period, more than at any other time, abundant and tranquil parnasah descends from Heaven for those who make proper use of this precious time—and this is a result of the great wealth the Jews acquired when the sea was split (the portion about the manna);
3) Refu’ah Shleimah —in these parashiyot we read about the Giving of the Torah, when all the people of Israel who had physical defects were healed. Therefore, the Ari HaKadosh teaches that this light returns in every generation, and during this period the Creator pours forth and bestows supernatural miracles and healing.
This is why these days are so great and significant, according to our Sages, the Kabbalists.
“The days of Shovavim are a time propitious for salvation and healing beyond the natural order” (“Sichot Hitchazkut”— Talks on Strengthening Oneself in the Mitzvot).The Maggid of Mezhirech (of blessed memory), one of the great disciples of the Ba’al Shem Tov, said something profound: “Every spiritual or material matter will be granted to you easily דווקא during the days of Shovavim.”
If throughout the year you needed thousands of prayers and requests to merit a proper and suitable match, an easy livelihood, fertility, and well-mannered children—during these days it is easier to receive all of this!
The tzadik, author of «Tiferet Aharon» (The Glory of Aaron), (of blessed memory) also writes: “The days of Shovavim are as significant as the Ten Days of Repentance, and this is a time when the prayers of the Jewish people are accepted just as they are during the Ten Days of Repentance.”
One need only know how to make use of this time!
Rabbeinu Chida (of blessed memory) writes:
“Even if a person has fallen to the lowest level, if during these days he endeavors to make even the smallest rectification for his soul through his actions, he can change much in Heaven.”
Every small strengthening in mitzvot and every additional good deed during these days has an effect and brings about rectification in Heaven, more than at other times.
Therefore, the Gaon Ben Zion Mutzafi (may he live a long and good life) says: “Let a Jew not miss the recitation of the Shema before retiring at night with great concentration during these days, for it is a great rectification for his soul. As Rashbi says in the Zohar, through its recitation a person destroys 1,225 [spiritual] harmful forces.”
Rabbi Chaim Palagi (of blessed memory) related that in the past, during these days, even the simplest Jews experienced a great spiritual awakening, as they fasted from Shabbat to Shabbat.
Although we are unable to do the same, we must make use of these Shabbatot by increasing our Torah study, avoiding mundane conversation, and accepting Shabbat earlier than usual.
All of this can bring about rectifications that lie beyond our understanding.
The Kabbalists write that, above all, these days are especially great for rectifying the brit (the emission of seed in vain), because during them the Jews rectified all the “sparks” of Adam HaRishon (the primordial man).
Therefore, a man should strive and strengthen himself during these days in guarding his eyes and in modesty.
A Jewish woman can use these days to do teshuvah and strengthen herself in tzniut (modesty), thereby rectifying all the damage caused by leading others into sin.
And the Ohev Yisrael (the Lover of Israel) of Apta (of blessed memory) said:
“The days of Shovavim are like cities of refuge (arei miklat), to which one must flee from all troubles.”
Shovavim begins on Yom Rishon of the weekly portion of «Shemot» and continues for 42 days—a significant number as well: the 42-letter Name of Ha-Shem, represented by the prayer «Ana BeKoach».
One may not fast on Shabbatot, Rosh Chodesh, festivals, at a brit, and so forth.
(Igor Sklyar, based on a drashah by Rabbi Ben Zion Mutzafi, may he live a long and good life)
