Learn from Our Mistakes

4 Elul 5769

I just moved apartments, and my house currently consists of boxes, suitcases, and more boxes. But I wanted to get in a quick thought - don't worry, I will deliver on my promise to discuss what Elul is all about in a few days. Just as soon as life gets back to normal :).

I heard the following idea from a Rav Zecharyish, rav of the shul Ahavas Shalom in Ramat Bet Shemesh:

In last week's Pirkei Avos, we learn the following: (loosely translated)

- There were ten generations between Adam and Noach. Hashem showed His incredible mercies by delaying their punishments. Then they were all destroyed in the Mabul.
- There were ten generations between Noach and Avraham. Hashem showed his incredible mercies by delaying their punishments. Then Avraham came (and saved them), claiming the reward of all ten generations in the process.

Naturally, there are many things we can learn from this mishna. But consider the following: Which set of ten generations were worse? The ones who were wiped out by the flood, or the ones whose reward Avraham got all to himself?

At first glance, you might think that the first set was worse. After all, they got destroyed! But upon further examination, the opposite is true. The only reason the second set of ten generations were not destroyed, after all, is because Avraham saved them. Had Avraham lived ten generations earlier, the Dor HaMabul might've been saved. Make no mistake - the second set of ten generations were far worse, because they saw what a life of partying and aveiros got the first set of ten - and didn't take heed at all.

Rabosai, we have a month to reflect on the past year. Let's say we take the time, a few minutes a day - heck, a few minutes the whole month would be more than most people. But if we don't act on such reflections, what good does it do us? We have to figure out our weaknesses, yes, but then we have to set aside time to improve them, or in some cases, eradicate them.

May we all have the strength to not only recognize our faults, but to have the courage and the strength to act on them and improve them.

Hatzlacha Raba!