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Period of the 17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Ab

The first sparks of joy. The Sages teach “From the time the period of Ab enters, we diminish in joyfulness”. The Baal Shem Tov explained the deeper layer of this teaching, revealing an important meditation related to this period. He said “diminishing in joyfulness” means diminishing our ego through joyfulness. This teaching shows that starting from this period, of the 17 of Tammuz to the 9th of Ab, we are already focusing on the coming days of Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simhat Torah. These are the most spiritually devoted times of the year. But this devotion has to be approached with preparation. What the Baal Shem Tov shows, is that the part of ourselves which must be revealed and put forward through this process is the joyful part. The reason for this, is that the whole period from Elul to Sukkot is filled with Mitzvot, and the way to authentically accomplish and draw spiritual benefit from Mitzvot, is only found within the joy of doing them. Therefore we need to prepare, by starting to reveal this spiritual joy, which comes with “diminishing” in materialistic, ego-related, superficial and transient enjoyments. Even when the Mitzva is fasting, whether it is the 9th of Ab from Oral Law or Yom Kippur from the Written Law, we must remain focused on the joy found in the privilege of doing it. The light of this joy is so strong that all we need to do to feel it, is just diminish our ego. Those who cannot fast for health reasons must refrain from fasting. The joy of the Mitzva is still available to them and making themselves suffer is contrary to the principle of joy which is the true spirit of Mitzvot. May everyone be healthy and in good spirits, and may we see the comforting of Am Israel and Jerusalem in our days Amen. Easy and meaningful fast.

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