יום ו Date: 23 Iyar, 5774 (5/23/14) – RoshHashana#15 {Eliezer}

PHYSICALLY SPIRITUAL

[15a top]: R’ Yaney asked R’ Yochanan: For esrogim, do we count its New Year according to the Lunar or Solar calendar? R’ Yochanan: We use the Lunar cycle to count its months.
Tosephos: Even though the agricultural aspects are base on the SUN, the Jewish people “count to the moon.” But does the Jews’ counting change when fruit/trees will ripen? The answer outstandingly is YES!
Chassam Sofer: “Nature” always bends to Halacha. Hashem creates the world and part of its framework is that the physical world always yields to the spiritual/Halacha.
GM’ Taanis [25a]: R’ Chanina ben Dosa’s daughter filled her Shabbos lamps with vinegar instead of oil (because she had none left), and R’ Chanina proclaimed, “He who hath endowed oil with the power of burning may endow vinegar with the same power,” and it miraculously burned.

E’s Lesson: We must always remember that we (and all physical creations) are here to serve a spiritual purpose. Never lose track, and keep our bodies serving our souls.