17th of Tammuz

The numerical value of "17" is tet+vav+bet=9+6+2=tov=good.

Why the letter tet (tov=good) did not appear in the first set of tablets, but only in the second? So that nobody would say, when the first set of tablets was broken, "end of good for Israel". Instead, this good begins only with breaking of the tablets. That is why Aaron said, "Feast to Hashem tomorrow'. Because in the future, this day will indeed be a big celebration for Israel.

To be continued!

(from Bnei Issasschar)

Bruria => Bat Sheva

Bruria was a gilgul of Bat Sheva. In the first incarnation, Bat Sheva was teaching and warning Shlomo, and in the second one Bruria was teaching and warning students of Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Meir himself.

That student who was the cause of Bruria's death was the gilgul of Uriah her first husband. This is why he had some connection with her. As Bat Sheva, she was the cause of Uriah's death. Now as Bruria he was the cause of her death. In fact, Bruria came to the earth in order to atone for Uriah's death.

(From "Gilgulei Neshamot")

48th day of the Omer

One should concentrate in the blessing of “Sim Shalom” (Give Peace), and ask forgiveness for disagreeing with his wife and insisting on his opinion. For in doing this, he has upset “The Mother of Children”, which is the Holy Shechinah, God’s presence.

From "U'Sfartem Lachem"

47th day of the Omer

Hod SheBeMalchut

When a person merits to give tsedaka to the poor and indigent, he should praise Hashem ever more for giving him the chance to do this. As the Zohar says that when Hashem wants to give somebody a present, he sends a poor person to his house. Thus he improves and completes the Malchut (Kingship) with Hod (Praise).

So too, the man should do it himself, teach his family, and his friends, to thank Hashem for every mitzvah which he gets to do.

(from "U'sfartem Lachem")

45th day of the Omer

Tiferet SheBeMalchut

When one merits to learn Torah SheBealPe and halacha, and especially teaches it to others, he should strive to know the source for every law and teaching back in the Chumash. Then he will complete and perfect Malchut (Torah SheBealPe) with the help of Tiferect (Torah SheBeKtav).

When one is involved in business dealings, she should strive to act in truth, making sure that his heart and mouth, thoughts and words, are the same. He will then complete Malchut (worldly dealings) with the help of Tiferet (Truth).

38th day of the Omer

Tiferet SheBeYesod

A man should take to heart, in order to make his holiness and purity complete and acceptable to the Creator and to the people, to follow what the Sages said “Which way is the best to follow – that which is beautiful to his Maker and beautiful to his friends”. He will then consider every aspect of holiness and purity in every details, and will thus complete his Yesod (righteousness) with the help of Tiferet (completeness and beauty).

In his actions, the man should hold on to holiness to the point when he and his name will be known for it, so that his people would say apply "beautiful". Similar to Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi Oshaia, whose names the prostitutes in the market used for taking oaths. Both Rabbis were shoemakers in the market, and when a reliable oath was needed in the business dealings, the prostitutes would swear “by the lives of the holy rabbis in the Land of Israel” meaning these two.

(U’Sfartem Lachem)

36th day of the Omer

A man should meditate on how Hashem does kindness to the Jewish people and to him in particular, and how Hashem helps those who want to purify themselves. He will then come to a desire for purity, and will thus be pure (Yesod) with the help of kindness (Chesed).

A man should also have in mind the “kiyum olam” in all his actions, and specifically doing kindness to his fellow friends. He will thus help them purify themselves (Yesod) through his kindness (Chesed).

(U’Sfartem Lachem)