A Prayer to Merit Doing Everything for His Name with Love, and to be Included and Become Like Yosef the Tzaddik Who is Entirely Holiness

'Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Nasan'

Master of the Universe, Omnipotent One, grant me the merit to do everything solely for Your Name with love. Through this, may the Temple of fire descend, which was destined to descend on the Tenth of Teves. As it is stated, "On this very day the king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem, on this very day" (Ezekiel 24:2). This is the secret of Yom Kippur, about which it is also stated, "on this very day" (Leviticus 23:28). For on the Tenth of Teves, the Temple of fire must descend, because then "on this very day the king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem." The Tenth of Teves has almost the same halachic status as Yom Kippur, such that if it were to fall on Shabbos, we would be obligated to fast on Shabbos.

This is because the Tenth of Teves is the day the shivah (seven days of mourning) for Hevel concluded {Yaaros Devash, Ma'amar Chodesh Teves 1:2}, whom Kayin killed on Zos Chanukah {Midrash Rabbah, Bereishis 22}.

For Yosef is like the fruit that "dwells on its tree from year to year" (the esrog), which never rots, is never burned, and its moisture never departs. His taste literally remains forever, and his fragrance is never diminished.

The permutation of the Havayah (the Tetragrammaton) for the month of Teves is derived from the verse, "Exalt Hashem with me (Iti), and let us uplift His Name together" (Psalms 34:4). The word "Iti" (with me) corresponds to the verse, "Behold, there is a place with Me (Iti)" (Exodus 33:21), which was spoken regarding the cleft of the rock. Whoever enters this cleft has all of his 248 limbs and 365 sinews transformed into torches of fire.

For twice the numerical value of "lapid" (torch, 124) equals 248, and twice 248 equals 496, which is the exact numerical value of "Livyasan" (Leviathan). This continues until the entire body, with its 248 limbs and 365 sinews, is transformed into torches of fire. In the merit of all our limbs being transformed into torches of fire, may we merit to bring down the Temple of fire. And may we merit to be like Yosef the Tzaddik, who is entirely holiness, giving, and love for others.

For the elevation of the soul of Mrs. Yonah bas Chaim Ozeri, who passed away to her eternal home on the 8th of Teves, 5776. May her soul be bound in the bond of life.

BS"D 4035