Rabbi Avraham Kuperman
The period known as Bein HaMetzarim is associated with the destruction of the First and Second Temples, as well as with tragic events that befell our people at various times during these days.
The words of great Hasidic masters about the segulot of the days of Bein HaMetzarim ("between the straits"), so that we may serve the Almighty with joy:
1. «All its pursuers overtook it [the Jewish people] between the straits» (Eichah, 1:3). The plain meaning of these words is well known: the word מצרים, «straits», comes from the root צר, which has another meaning as well - straitened, difficult circumstances, troubles. The great Maggid, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch (the Baal Shem Tov's closest disciple and an outstanding leader of the Hasidic movement), explained it as follows:
From this we should learn that anyone who pursues spirituality, who strives after it (as indicated by the word rodfeiha, which can be divided into rodef Yud-Kei, pursuing closeness to the Creator), will be able to attain it (yasig Vav-Kei, which also signifies spiritual attainments) during the period «between the straits», that is, between 17 Tammuz and 9 Av.
The Maggid of Mezritch offered the following parable. When a king is in his palace, it is extremely difficult to gain access to him, but when he goes out into the field, one can break through and cry out: «My lord! My king!»
Throughout the year, the Creator is in His palace, but during Bein HaMetzarim He, as it were, goes into exile and comes outside, making it easier to pray and draw close to Him.
2. Someone who has had the privilege of studying in a yeshiva has an additional opportunity for spiritual growth during the period «between the straits». At the end of the study term (which falls during Bein HaMetzarim), the intensity of study declines in most places because of fatigue.
Someone who instead strengthens his efforts in study during this period merits special help from Above, and the blessing and light of Torah descend upon him.
Our sages' statement is well known: they merited attaining their level precisely because they studied at a time and in a place where no one else was studying, and thus all the blessing and all the light of Torah descended upon them. (This can be compared to a birthday cake: if many people take part in the meal, each receives a small piece; if there are only a few, each receives a generous portion.)
3. It is written that one who works on himself despite the difficulties throughout the twenty-one days of the period «between the straits» thereby spares himself the twenty-one days of judgment between Rosh Hashanah and Hoshana Rabbah.
May we soon merit true and complete Redemption!
Prepared by Rabbi E. Schwalb