יום ה Date: 15 Iyar, 5774 (5/15/14) – RoshHashana#7 {Eliezer}

POTHOLES

[7a bottom]: Gemarah: We do not add a month (to create a leap year) once Purim has already passed. Thirty days before a holiday (i.e.: Pesach), Jews are already involved with the laws pertaining to the upcoming Holy Days. It would be too difficult to switch the dates during this period, and the Rabbis were afraid that Jews might mistake the laws involving Chametz at the wrong times of that year.

E’s Lesson: It is a very difficult path to travel when trying to change people that are set in their ways (and the Rabbis understood that, as in this case). That is precisely why Teshuva (traveling pothole ridden roads) is real hard work. We must always break our bad habits and re-fill our “holey” flaws to correct personality traits and become better, smoother people. It takes intense re-training, reminding, and repetitive practice to keep on the right tracks. The Sefirah (today is day #30) is the most opportune time for us to keep this message in mind and work our way up to our best for the receiving of our greatest gift from G-d.