The Secret of the Month of 'Marheshvan' • The Daily Lesson from Rabbi Eliezer

Presented before you is a summary of the topics from the daily lesson as delivered by our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a – yesterday after the Maariv (evening) prayer, Tuesday night, the 30th of Tishrei – the first day of Rosh Chodesh (the New Month) Marheshvan 5786, Parshas Noach:

1. The entire month of Cheshvan used to be a time of floods (mabulim), until King Solomon finished building the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in the month of Bul (an ancient name for Cheshvan).
2. One should not say "Mar Cheshvan" (bitter Cheshvan), but rather "Merach Shvan." "Merach" means month, and "Shvan" means eighth. As it is brought in the Book of Kings. "Marheshvan" is also an anagram for "Samach Ron" (rejoice with song), a month of joy.
3. The month of Cheshvan is also the month of the zodiac sign Scorpio (Akrav). Rehoboam said, "I will [chastise you with] scorpions"—now, who gives scorpions so that people will elect him? Rather, people want discipline!
4. Since the beginning of the "ceasefire," two soldiers were killed. Then Trump said, "Accept this with love." Why are you killing 67 "innocent" Palestinians...
5. One must study Likutey Halachos (the collection of laws by Reb Noson of Breslov), Hilchos Milah 4, which explains that every woman is like Queen Esther.
6. The Rebbetzin (the Rabbi's wife) forced me to study Sippurei Ma'asiyos (The Tales of Rebbe Nachman), and then I read that it is possible to learn all the wisdoms in the world in a single second. And it is possible to turn iron into copper and copper into gold.
7. The month of Cheshvan came with complaints: Why wasn't the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple) dedicated in the month it was finished? Because every month has an event; in Tishrei, there is the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of all the Patriarchs. Regarding this, it was said to him [Cheshvan] that one must understand how we arrive at the calculation of ten tefachim (handbreadths) for the height of the Sukkah, and how this is learned from the Keruvim (Cherubim).
8. Togo, the leader of Japan, said, "I am sending a thousand suicide attackers. This is how I will win." Until two bombs were dropped on him, and then on the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Elazar the son of Rabbi Shimon, there was a surrender agreement.
9. Tonight at 1:33 and 8 chalakim (parts of a minute) is the Molad (the appearance of the new moon); everyone should say the Tikkun HaKlali (The General Rectification) then.