Category Archives: Sefer Devarim

Parshas Ekev: Smash!

Parshas Ekev

Smash!

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“I grasped the two tablets and threw them from my two hands and smashed them before your eyes.” (Devarim 9:16)

I remember reading a story about a famous Rosh HaYeshiva who was teaching a very complicated shiur. At one point, someone asked a question. The Rosh HaYeshiva thought about the question and said that you are correct and my premise is wrong. Whereby, the Rosh HaYeshiva closed his Gemorah and ended the shiur.

A couple called Rabbi Yisroel Brog for advice. The wife had a good job. Her salary was needed to help pay the family’s bills. The problem was that her working environment was not morally conducive for a religious woman. Rabbi Brog told the couple that Hashem would not want her to stay in that situation and that she should quit her job. Rabbi Brog said that Hashem would help her find another job. She quit her job. Eventually she got a better paying job working in a Jewish environment.

Moshe Rabbeinu was reviewing with Klal Yisroel past events. Moshe indicated that when he had seen the Jews sinning with the golden calf, he smashed the luchos that he had been about to present to Bnei Yisroel.  The last pasuk in the Torah says, “And for the entire strong hand and for the entire great display that Moshe performed in view of all of Yisroel.” Rashi explains that this is listing Moshe’s outstanding achievements. Moshe brought down the Torah to Bnei Yisroel from the Heavens. Moshe also performed many miracles in the desert during the 40 years that the Bnei Yisroel were there. The 3rd achievement was that Moshe’s heart inspired him to shatter the luchos before their eyes. Mizrachi adds that these were the luchos which were the handiwork of Hashem. They were magnificent! Yet, Moshe smashed them! And Hashem congratulated Moshe for doing so.

Rabbi Yissocher Frand explains that this achievement of breaking the luchos was considered Moshe’s crowning achievement. Why was breaking the luchos Moshe’s definitive achievement, even more so than receiving the Torah? Rabbi Yissocher Frand answers that Moshe put in Herculean effort to receive the Torah. He did not eat for 40 days and 40 nights while Hashem taught him the Torah. And, he had to battle the angels who didn’t want to give up something so precious to a person of flesh and blood. Moshe had a reason why he felt that the right course of action was to break the luchos. Even so, destroying something in which one put in so much effort is very difficult. Yet Moshe did it! For that, Moshe received high praise.

Rabbi Mordechai Gifter zt”l expressed a similar thought from the Talmud (Pesachim 22B).

It says the word “אֶת” in the Torah about 4,000 times. A tanna, a rabbi of the Mishna, Shimon Ha’amsuni said that each pasuk could have been written, leaving out the word “אֶת”. Thus, each time that the Torah says the word “אֶת” it always implies the inclusion in the particular subject matter something which is not mentioned expressly in the text. Shimon Ha’amsuni spent many years delving into the psukim and expounding on what the Torah was teaching with each “seemingly extra” word “אֶת”. One example is that when, the Torah says (Shmos 20:12), “כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶךָ”, “Honor your father and your mother”. Shimon Ha’amsuni taught that the extra word, אֶת, teaches that one should also honor his older siblings. When Shimon came to the pasuk, “אֶת ד’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ תִּירָא”, “Fear Hashem, your G-d” (Devarim 6:13), he was stymied. He could not understand what the extra word “אֶת” could be adding. He felt that it was impossible to feel awe of another human being alongside Hashem. Because of this one “אֶת” that had stumped him, Shimon concluded that his entire hypothesis was incorrect, and the word “אֶת” is not always teaching something new! Therefore, Shimon withdrew all his earlier deductions.  Shimon’s students asked him what would happen to all the other explanations of the word “אֶת” that he explained until now. Shimon haAmsuni responded, “Just as I have earned reward for my interpretations, so too shall I earn reward for withdrawing.”

 

Shimon was willing to give up his Magnum Opus, his life’s work, for the sake of intellectual honesty.

The Talmud (Bava Kama 41B) says that eventually Rabbi Akiva was able to deduce what the word “אֶת” in this pasuk was teaching. Thus, he proved that Shimon Ha’amsuni’s hypothesis was correct. Rabbi Akiva said it teaches that one is required to be in awe of talmidei chachamim as a corollary to one’s awe of Hashem! The reverence one must have for Torah scholars is like the reverence one must have for Hashem!

The question is why didn’t Shimon Ha’amsuni also deduce from the word, “אֶת”, the same thing that Rabbi Akiva expounded? Ben Yehodaya answers that Hashem hid this explanation from Shimon to reward him for his revoking his life’s work. Shimon gave it up for the honor of Hashem, so as not to give an incorrect explanation of the Torah. That was very special to Hashem and Hashem wanted to reward Shimon for it! (Ben Yehodaya gives a 2nd answer that it was for Rabbi Akiva’s benefit…)

What is the explanation of why one should revere a Torah scholar just as one is supposed to fear Hashem? Why did Rabbi Akiva think it was proper to place a human authority side by side with Hashem?

Sefer Hamussar (The Pirkei Avos Treasury by Rabbi Moshe Lieber on Pirkei Avos 4:15) answers that one achieves life in the World to Come through the teachings of the Torah scholars. Therefore, one should revere them.

The Dubno Maggid gives a similar answer by way of a moshol (The Maggid of Dubno and His Parables by Benno Heinemann). There was once a blind man who had to travel constantly to earn a living. He had a friend who always went with him, as a guide. Whenever the blind man traveled outside the country, he carried a safe-conduct pass permitting him to leave the country and to return. Once, when returning to the country, the blind man and his guide were stopped by the border guard who asked to see their papers. The blind man took out his own safe-conduct pass. Then the border guard asked to see the guide’s papers. The guide had none. The blind man said that his guide did not need any papers since he was included in his. The border guard looked again at the blind man’s papers but did not see the guide’s name listed. The blind man explained that his document permitted him to travel abroad to pursue his livelihood. The blind man continued and said that obviously a blind man cannot travel alone. Thus, obviously his document, by implication, included the guide as well.

The Dubno Maggid continued that the pasuk tells us to fear Hashem. How does one attain that since one is “blind” in that area, not knowing what to do. One must have a guide to teach him what to do. The guides are the talmidei chachamim, the Torah scholars. Thus, they are included by implication in the word “אֶת”. Proper respect for them is an essential part of fearing Hashem. If we do not take them as guides, we would never know how to fear Hashem.

Rabbi Gifter zt”l gave a different answer as to why Shimon Ha’amsuni could not come to the same conclusion as Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Gifter z t”l says that Rabbi Akiva saw Shimon Ha’amsuni. He saw a talmud chacham who devoted himself to a major project. Yet, when he found that he could not explain the word “אֶת” just one time, he was willing to backtrack and give up the entire project! Rabbi Akiva saw a person so committed to the truth and one who was willing to give up so much by admitting that his life’s work was all mistaken. Thus, Rabbi Akiva said that this person is worthy of our awe.

Based on this, Rabbi Frand asks some powerful questions we should ask ourselves. “Am I compromising on my values?  Am I making good choices in my life or am I making excuses for bad behavior? Is the way I act among secular colleagues acceptable for a religious person? Should I continue working in a place where my spirituality is being tested daily? Is running my business requiring access to forms of media that I should not be viewing or reading?” These are difficult questions that we must ask ourselves since it could mean walking away from something, in which we have invested tremendous effort in achieving. If we do that which we know that Hashem wants and we walk away from making the wrong choices, then Hashem will reward us!                            (based in large part from Rabbi YIssocher Frand, The Power of a Vort)

 

 

Parshas V’eschanan: Just Say It!

Parshas V’eschanan

Just Say It!

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“You will heed, Yisroel, and you will be careful to fulfill [the mitzvos], so that you will benefit and so that you will multiply exceedingly, as Hashem, G-d of your forefathers, spoke about you, a land flowing milk and honey.” (Devarim 6:3)

The Torah says, “You will heed, Yisroel, and you will be careful to fulfill [the mitzvos], so that you will benefit and so that you will multiply exceedingly, as Hashem, G-d of your forefathers, spoke about you, a land flowing milk and honey.” (Devarim 6:3)

Many commentaries are bothered as to what the connection is between the beginning of the pasuk and the last few words, “a land flowing milk and honey”.  

Rabbeinu Bachya connects the last few words of this pasuk to the next pasuk that begins with Shema Yisroel. It is to remind us that the purpose of our going to Eretz Yisroel is not just to live there and to enjoy it. The purpose of going is to enable us to keep Hashem’s mitzvos.

Ibn Ezra connects those words to the end of a pasuk that is 2 psukim earlier.  “This is the mitzvah, the statutes and the laws that Hashem, your G-d, commanded to teach you to fulfill in the land that you are crossing over there to inherit.”

The Chasam Sofer has a different approach (as quoted on Torah Anytime by Rav Moshe Donnebaum, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Betzel Hachochmo in Melbourne Australia). According to the Talmud (Megillah 15A) if one says the name Rachav then a certain tuma, impurity, is placed on a person because Rachav was a woman of ill repute. The Chasam Sofer says that all the more so if one says something holy, it will make an impression on him and imbue him with a certain kedusha, holiness. It will elevate a person and will have a positive effect on him. The Chasam Sofer cites sefer Sifsei Yeshanim written by R’ Shabsei Bass, who also authored the famous commentary on Rashi, the Sifsei Chachamim. Interestingly, the entire sefer just lists the names of many sefarim and their authors. The introduction quotes Rabbi Isaiah Halevi Horowitz zt”l, the Shelah Hakadosh whose words explain the main purpose of the sefer. The Shelah Hakadosh says that if one is unable to learn all the holy sefarim on The Torah such as the Sifra, the Sifrei , Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, etc,,, he should at least say the names of the sefarim. Whether the person is unlearned or he is one who will not finish learning all of Torah (which is most of us). He should say the name of each sefer while feeling in his heart that he desires to be able to learn it. Furthermore, he should cry that he doesn’t understand those sefarim. By saying the name of the sefer, in some way, it is counted as if one was learning the sefer.  When one says the name of someone holy or the name of a sefer it will have a positive impact!  Just saying those words also affects a person, the same way that mentioning holy names does. Based on this understanding we can know understand the pasuk:

“You will heed, Yisroel”- You should be mindful to say the holy name Yisroel

  “and you will be careful to fulfill [the mitzvos]” – This will energize and elevate you to do the mitzvos

 “so that you will benefit and so that you will multiply exceedingly”

“as Hashem, G-d of your forefathers, spoke about you, a land flowing milk and honey.”-And where do we see this idea? As Hashem already told us, “a land flowing with milk and honey”. Hashem said this phrase many times in the Torah. Each time one says this phrase, it elevates him and imbues him with kedusha. 

 

One must be careful to avoid saying unholy words and names lest it have a negative impact on him. In contrast, one should say the names of holy people and holy sefarim, as well as holy phrases. That will have a positive impact on him

and imbue him with holiness.

 

Parshas Devarim: Bully Me No More!

Parshas Devarim

Bully Me No More!

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“I instructed your judges at that time, saying, ‘Listen among your brethren and judge righteously between a man and his brother or his litigant. You should not show favoritism in judgment. Small and great alike shall you hear…’” (1:16)

Moshe Rabbeinu gave instructions to the judges.  Rashi says that the judges were told to be patient and deliberate in judgement.  Even if they already had similar cases in the past, they were instructed to discuss the current case thoroughly.  The judges were also told not to show any favoritism. Ohr HaChaim says that the judges were told to pay equal attention to both parties in a dispute. The judges should not do anything that might be interpreted by one of the parties that the judges favor one side over the other. The judges shouldn’t even look at one person while he is presenting his case while not looking at the other person when he presents his case. Rambam (Hilchos Sanhedrin 21) says that the judges should not allow one of the parties to speak to the full extent that he feels necessary while the other is told to speak concisely. The judges should not treat one person favorably and speak gently to him while treating the other person harshly and speaking sternly to him. One of the litigants should not be allowed to sit, while the other stands. The Rambam even adds that if one of the litigants is dressed well while the other is dressed shabbily, the judge should turn to the well-dressed one and tell him to either provide similar clothes to the other person or to dress like him. 

 

Part of the reasoning for these judicial instructions is to ensure that both parties are comfortable telling their complete sides of the story. If one of the parties feels that he is not being treated the same as the other one, he may feel inhibited and unwilling to express all the points that may help him win the case. He may be too afraid to speak up. Furthermore, if one litigant is dressed differently, then subconsciously a judge may be more favorably inclined to allow him to win his case.

 

The Torah also instructs the judges that they are forbidden to accept bribes. It is forbidden even if the judge were to judge the case totally properly.  However, the concern is that accepting a bribe may cause a judge to view one party more favorably than the other and may sway the judge’s ruling.

 

The Talmud (Kesubos 105B) teaches that bribes don’t necessarily have to come in the form of money. Even seemingly minor exchanges can affect the way a judge notices things. The Talmud explains, for instance, that even saying nice things to a judge may be a form of bribery that could cloud his judgment. There were several amoraim, rabbis of the Talmud, who excused themselves from judging a case after accepting minimal favors that we would hardly consider bribery.

 

Shmuel was having difficulty crossing a rickety footbridge. Someone reached out and helped him cross the bridge. It turned out that this man had a case scheduled in Shmuel’s beis din. Shmuel disqualified himself from judging the case. He was concerned that the favor he had received from this man would cause him to subconsciously want to see this man win the case. That would cause Shmuel to inadvertently skew the proceedings to make that happen. Ameimar was sitting in beis din, and a feather flew onto his head. Someone came over and removed the feather. When the person told Ameimar that he was there to have his case heard, Ameimar disqualified himself from hearing the case. Mar Ukva had an instance in which someone spat in front of him, and another person came and covered up the saliva. The second person had a case scheduled in which Mar Ukva was to be the judge and Mar Ukva disqualified himself. The final case listed in the Talmud is about Rav Shmuel bar Yossi’s sharecropper. The sharecropper normally delivered Rav Shmuel bar Yossi’s share of the produce every Friday. One week, the sharecropper had to be in town on Thursday for a monetary case, so he decided to deliver the produce a day early. Rav Shmuel bar Yossi excused himself from judging the case of the sharecropper lest he be affected by the favor of having his produce brought to him a day early. Even though Rav Shmuel bar Yossi was given his own produce, that was coming to him anyway, the favor of receiving it a day early could have subconsciously caused Rav Shmuel bar Yossi to judge the upcoming case in favor of the sharecropper.

 

We would think that these rules were too restrictive on the judges. If a judge is honest, what difference would it make if someone did an inconsequential favor or complimented him? Would he then judge the case dishonestly? Certainly not! However, subconsciously, he would feel a little more favorable towards the one who had done him a favor. That could skew his judgement a little and cause him to judge the case differently. Similarly, if one was clothed in fancy clothes and one in rags, subconsciously the judge might skew his judgement in favor of the one dressed nicely. We see this happen in many court cases in non-Jewish courts. The defendant in a case will get a haircut and put on nice clothes to present himself in a more favorable light. He would do so, hoping to subconsciously influence the judge and the jurors.

 

The Torah’s guidelines for judges can teach us an important lesson for human relationships.  A judge may subconsciously favor one of the parties if he did a small, insignificant favor for him. We can apply this idea in our lives to help strengthen friendships or even start new friendships.  We can calm someone who is angry at us and cause him to look at us more favorably. We can also use this strategy to encourage a bully to stop bothering us. We should do him a favor, or favors, or give him a gift. This will affect him subconsciously and we may become more favorable in his eyes.

May we be successful in our efforts to increase ahavas Yisroel by bringing more peace between ourselves and others. May Hashem see our efforts and end our galus quickly.

Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei – Just Try! You May Be Surprised…!

Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei

Just Try! You May Be Surprised…!

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“They brought the Mishkan to Moshe, the Tent and all its vessels, its clasps, planks, bars, pillars, and sockets.” (Shmos 39:33)

Something unusual occurred once the parts of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) were completed. The Mishkan was ready to be set up. But Bnei Yisroel were unable to! Midrash Tanchuma (Pekudei 11:6) says that the Jewish People approached Moshe, showing him all the various parts of the Mishkan.  “Moshe, our master, everything you told us we have done. Everything you asked us to bring and to give, we have given…. Perhaps we have overlooked something?” Moshe confirmed that everything was done perfectly. So why were Bnei Yisroel unable to set it up? Midrash Tanchuma answers that Moshe was distressed at not having been able to participate in the construction of the Mishkan. The work had been performed by Bezalel, Oholiav, and the wise-hearted. Because Moshe was distressed, Hashem concealed from Bnei Yisroel the secret of how to set up the Mishkan. Then Hashem gave Moshe the opportunity to set it up to enable him to participate in the construction of the Mishkan.

 

Midrash Rabbah (Bamidbar 12:9) points out that Moshe was actually very involved in the construction of the Mishkan.  He was constantly teaching and supervising the artisans to ensure that everything was being done precisely as Hashem had commanded, without mistakes. That is why in Parshas Pekudei when the pasukim discuss the building of the different parts Mishkan, the pasukim all conclude that the work was done, “as Hashem had commanded Moshe”.  That is, all the work was done precisely as Hashem had commanded Moshe. And Moshe made sure to teach the artisans exactly as it was supposed to be done.

 

The Midrash continues that, in fact, since Moshe put his heart and soul into this endeavor, the building of the Mishkan was attributed to him. The pasuk says, “On the day that Moshe finished setting up the Mishkan.”  (Bamidbar 7:1). Rashi, quoting Midrash Tanchuma says that Betzalel and Ohaliav and the wise-hearted constructed the Mishkan. Yet it is attributed to Moshe because he put his heart and soul into it to ensure that it was done precisely as Hashem had shown him.

 

Sefer Lekach Tov (by Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Beifus) cites Rabbi BenTzion Bamberger who asks a very insightful question. If Moshe was so involved in the Mishkan, so much so that it was attributed to him, what does it mean that Moshe felt pain because he did not participate in its construction? He did participate! Rabbi Bamberger answers that although Moshe was so involved, he did not have an active role of actually making something for this holy endeavor. That made him feel sad.

 

Sefer haChinuch (Mitzvah 16) discusses the importance of physical actions. We are influenced by our actions. Actions that we do create a permanent imprint on our hearts. Even if a wicked person would learn Torah and do mitzvos for selfish reasons (lo lishma), those actions would help veer him towards good.

 

We see the importance of doing physical actions. Although Moshe was very involved supervising the construction of the Mishkan, he did not have an active part in physically building it. That is why Moshe felt distressed. That is why Hashem arranged for Moshe to set up the Mishkan.

 

Hashem told Moshe that he should set up the Mishkan. Rashi says that Moshe questioned Hashem.  Moshe wondered how it could be possible for a human being to set up the Mishkan? Hashem responded that Moshe should put his hands on the boards of the Mishkan and it would appear as if he set it up by himself. In reality, Hashem was going to set it up.

 

Rav Avrohom Pam zt”l (Messages From Rav Pam by Rabbi Sholom Smith) learns a beautiful and important lesson from this Rashi. A person must ALWAYS try.  Sometimes one feels that a certain undertaking is impossible. And he may have good reasons as to why it seems impossible. Because of that feeling, one might not even try. We see from this that we must always try! We must start the process and often Hashem will help us succeed even though we had thought that it was impossible. Many worthy organizations and Torah institutions are in existence because someone tried to do the “impossible”!

 

A great example of this is the story of Pharoah’s daughter. She heard the sound of baby Moshe who was floating in a basket in the Nile River, far from her. Yet she put in an impossible effort! She stretched out her hand. Hashem did the rest and miraculously extended her hand temporarily so that it reached Moshe’s basket.

 

Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam zt”l, The Klausenberger Rebbe, went through the horrors of the Holocaust, losing his wife and all of his 11children. Afterwards, he went to Eretz Yisroel where he established the religious neighborhood of Kiryat Sanz. He also established an orphanage and a hospital, as well as schools and yeshivos in Israel as well as in the United States. He once approached someone to ask for financial help for one of his projects. The man responded, “I am sorry, but I just can’t.” The Rebbe told the man that when he was the Rav in the city of Klausenberg, he thought that he couldn’t carry his own tallis and tefillin. His attendant carried it for him. However, during the Holocaust, the Nazis forced him to carry 50 kilo bags of cement up and down a hill for 15 hours a day without being given food or water. The Rebbe said, “Oy, did I find out what I was really capable of. One should never say, ‘I just can’t do it’. A person has no idea what he is really capable of doing. During the war, I used all that hidden strength for the Nazis. Now, I am using that same hidden strength that I discovered to build worlds.”                                                                        (Rabbi Elchonon Jacobovitz on Vayemain)

 

We should never feel that any task is impossible. We should just try to do our best. Often Hashem will make our efforts succeed! What we had thought would be impossible, may well become a reality! Our efforts can make a difference in the lives of many people!

 

 

Parsha Vayelech – Do It Now! Do Not Wait Until It’s Too Late!

Parshas Vayelech

Do It Now! Do Not Wait Until It’s Too Late!

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“At all times your clothes should be white….” (Koheles 9:8)

Rav Saadia Gaon was traveling and stayed at an inn overnight. When Rav Saadia arrived at the inn, although the innkeeper did not recognize him, he treated him well. The innkeeper gave him a comfortable room and a tasty meal. When Rav Saadia was leaving the inn, another guest recognized him and greeted him with the utmost respect. Upon witnessing this, the owner of the inn was mortified. He apologized to Rav Saadia. He told him that had he known who he was, he would have treated him even better. Rav Saadia was puzzled. He informed the innkeeper that the service he had received was perfect and that nothing was lacking. The innkeeper replied, “Yes, but had I known that you are Rav Saadia Gaon, I would have given you super treatment!” Rav Saadia learned an important lesson from the innkeeper. He said, “Every single day I have a deeper appreciation of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Therefore, every single day of my life I should do teshuva because yesterday I didn’t fully appreciate Hashem’s greatness.” In other words, based on his increased understanding of Hashem today, something had been lacking in yesterday’s service of Hashem. Therefore, he wanted to do teshuva daily.

The Talmud (Shabbos 30A) describes a conversation between King Dovid and Hashem. King Dovid wanted to know when he would die. Hashem withheld the specific date and the season that he would die. However, Hashem told him the day of the week that he would die. Hashem responded that He had decreed that knowing the specific day of death should always be kept secret.  Why? Ben Yehoyada explains that if that information was known, a person might decide to sin his entire life and wait to do teshuva until right before he dies. But Hashem wants a person to constantly be doing teshuva.

Similarly, the Talmud (Shabbos 153A) quotes Rabbi Eliezer’s teaching that one should repent one day before his death. Rabbi Eliezer’s students asked him, “Does a person know the day on which he will die?” He said to them, “All the more so, this is a good piece of advice, and one should repent today lest he die tomorrow. By following this advice, one will spend his entire life in a state of repentance”.  Similarly, King Shlomo said in Koheles (9:8), “At all times your clothes should be white….”, meaning that a person should always be prepared for his day of death.

Rabbi Yocḥanan ben Zakkai gave a parable for this. There was a king who invited his servants to a feast but did not set a time for them to come. The wise servants got dressed in their fine clothes and sat at the entrance to the king’s house. They said that the king could invite them at any moment. The foolish servants went to attend to their work saying, “Is there such thing as a feast without the toil of preparing for it? While the feast is being prepared, we will attend to other matters”. The king appeared suddenly and requested that his servants come to the feast. The wise ones entered dressed in their finest clothes, and the fools entered with their dirty clothes. The king was happy to greet the wise ones and angry to greet the fools. The king said, “These wise servants who dressed for the feast shall sit and eat and drink, but these fools who did not, shall stand and watch.” Rabbi Yochanan ben Zachai said that there is a similar outcome for people who think that their day of death and judgment is far away and do not prepare themselves for it.

Rabbeinu Yona (Sha’are Teshuva Perek 1) says that teshuva, repentance, is the greatest kindness that Hashem could give us. Hashem created us and does everything for us, yet we dare to sin against Hashem! By right, we deserve to be destroyed as soon as we sin. Instead, Hashem allows for teshuva. If done properly, teshuva can even cause our sins to be uprooted as if they had never been done!

Rabbeinu Yona (Yesodei Hateshuva) says that a person may want to repent from his sins yet be hesitant because of the embarrassment that he feels due to his terrible conduct. He may feel so burdened by his sins that he feels that doing teshuva is impossible for him.

Such a person should remember that Hashem loves us as a father loves his children. If a child does terrible, unimaginable acts yet returns home, wanting to improve, won’t his father welcome him with open arms!? Certainly, Hashem will lovingly welcome any sinner, even one who has done the worst sins!

Furthermore, Targum Yonasan on Eichah (2:19) and Rabbeinu Yona say that one must first psychologically forget his sins before he can feel regret and start doing teshuva.  He must feel as if he was just born, free of sin. Then he will be relieved of his burden of guilt and will be able to start the teshuva process.

Focusing on Hashem’s great kindness is also a means to inspire us to do teshuva. Immediately after the plague of Hail, Paroah admitted his error for the first time. “Pharaoh sent, and called for Moshe and Aharon, and he said to them, “This time I have sinned. Hashem is the righteous One and I and my people are the sinners.” (Shmos 9:27) Why did Pharoah admit his sin at this time? Da’as Zekanim explains that Pharoah was inspired by Hashem’s kindness. Besides warning Pharoah about the upcoming plague, Hashem added the warning that Pharoah should save his animals by bringing them inside. This extra kindness showed by Hashem inspired Pharoah to momentarily do teshuva.

 

The ability to repent from our sins is a tremendous kindness that Hashem gives us.

Focusing on Hashem’s many acts of kindness to us should inspire us to repent.

We should constantly be thinking of how we can do better.

We should never be discouraged nor give up hope of repenting.

Hashem is waiting for us with open arms,

just as a father is ready to greet his repentant wayward son!

 

(based in part by various divrei Torah by Rabbi Henach Leibowitz zt”l)

 

Parshas Nitzavim – You Can’t Take That Fish Out Of Water!

Parshas Nitzavim

You Can’t Take That Fish Out Of Water!

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“It is not in heaven, [for you] to say, ’Who will go up to heaven for us, and acquire it for us, and inform us of it, and we will fulfill it?’ Nor is it overseas, [for you] to say, ‘Who will travel overseas for us, and acquire it for us, and inform us of it, and we will fulfill it?’ (Devarim 30:12,13)”

The Talmud (Brachos 61B) relates a story about Rabbi Akiva. The Roman Empire decreed that the Jews were forbidden to learn Torah. Papos ben Yehudah observed that Rabbi Akiva was teaching Torah in public. He said, “Akiva! Are you not scared of the government?” Rabbi Akiva answered him with a parable. A fox was walking on the bank of a river and noticed a fish in the water, darting from place to place. He asked the fish why it was doing that. The fish replied that it was trying to avoid the fishermen’s nets. The sly fox told the fish that he would be safer if he went up to the dry land. The fox said, “Then, you and I will live together, just as your fathers lived with mine.” The fish told the fox that he was a fool!  He had no chance of living if he would leave the water and go onto dry land. Fish need water to live. Rabbi Akiva said that it is the same with a Jew. Just as a fish cannot live without water “so too a Jew cannot survive without learning Torah”, as the pasuk says “for it [Torah] is your lives and the length of your days” (Devarim 30).

The pasuk says, “It [Torah] is not in heaven, [for you] to say, ’Who will go up to heaven for us, and acquire it for us, and inform us of it, and we will fulfill it?’ Nor is it overseas, [for you] to say, ‘Who will travel overseas for us, and acquire it for us, and inform us of it, and we will fulfill it?’ “(Devarim 30:12,13) The Talmud (Eruvin 55A) says the pasuk teaches us that had the Torah been in heaven or beyond the sea, we would have been obligated to find a way to get it. Torah is so crucial for our existence that even if it would be extremely difficult to acquire, we would still have to make every possible effort necessary to study Torah. 

The more we appreciate the value of Torah study, the more we will be able to overcome any obstacles that might prevent us from studying Torah. Some obstacles may seem insurmountable. However, a person with a burning desire to study Torah will find a way to achieve their goal of learning Torah.

The Rogatchover Gaon, Rabbi Yoseph Rosen zt”l, said something fascinating at the funeral of Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (the author of the Meshech Chachma). Rabbi Rosen’s father had been wheelchair bound ever since he could remember. His father had lived on the second floor of a house. When Rabbi Rosen was a young boy his father’s house caught fire and started burning down. Someone ran into the house to save his father. His father said that he could not go because he had an old aunt who lived there. She was unable to walk, and he felt that he could not leave her behind. Suddenly, Rabbi Rosen’s father jumped up, and WALKED over to his aunt. He put her over his shoulder and ran out of the house. Then he sat back in a chair. How was it possible for someone who could not move his legs to be able to jump up and carry his weight plus the weight of his aunt on his shoulders and run out of the house? Rabbi Rosen said that when there is a fire burning, a person is empowered with supernatural powers. Then Rabbi Rosen said that Rav Meir Simcha was able to accomplish so much for Torah because he always pictured a fire burning in front of himself. (Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Schmeltzer on Vayemain)

It says in Pirkei Avos (2:9) that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai quoted the oral tradition that he had received from Hillel and Shammai. He said, “If you have learned much Torah, do not claim credit for yourself, because that is the purpose for which you were created.”

The Talmud (Shabbos 88A) says that all of Creation hung tentatively in the balance until Bnei Yisroel accepted the Torah on Har Sinai.  Hashem had made a condition with the act of Creation. If Bnei Yisroel would accept the Torah on the sixth day of Sivan, then the world would continue to exist. If Bnei Yisroel would not accept the Torah then the world would be returned to its previous, primordial state of chaos and disorder.  The world only continues to exist because there is Torah currently being learned.

The Chofetz Chaim zt”l (Chofetz Chaim al HaTorah) says that a person has a choice. Would he prefer to be poor for a short while and then be rich for eternity or would he prefer to be rich now and then be poor for eternity? Obviously, a smart person would answer that he would prefer to be poor at first and then be rich forever and ever. The Chofetz Chaim zt”l continues that the reason for our existence is to learn Torah (and do mitzvos). If one is devoid of Torah because he spends his time earning more and more money, he will be rich in this world which is finite but poor in the next world which is infinite. If one chooses to spend less time earning money in his lifetime and spends more time learning Torah then he may not be rich in his lifetime, but he will be rich for eternity. One will also be rich for eternity if he supports others who learn Torah.

The Chofetz Chaim zt”l  also quotes the Zohar about the further benefits of learning Torah. Torah protects one in his grave, protects one from Gehinnom, helps one merit Olam Haba (the World to Come), and helps one merit to go up from one level to the next in Gan Eden.

Every morning, we say the brachos, thanking Hashem for giving us the special gift of the Torah.

The Torah is that which sets us apart from the rest of the world. We should always appreciate this special gift. Accordingly, we should increase our Torah learning. Even a few extra minutes of learning Torah every day will be very significant and beneficial for us! Learning Torah is the raison d’etre of our existence and the existence of the entire universe!

 

Parshas Ki Savo: Let Me Help You!

Parshas Ki Savo

Let Me Help You!

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“Avraham journeyed to the land of the Negev, and he lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived for a while in Gerar (Bereishis 20:1).”

I read a story about two friends, we can call them Reuven and Shimon, who were caught in a terrible blizzard. They huddled together for warmth. Shimon was starting to feel drowsy. Reuven knew that falling asleep during a blizzard was extremely dangerous and could be fatal. Drowsiness was a key warning sign that one’s body’s core temperature was dropping to a life-threatening level. Reuven quickly started massaging Shimon to keep him awake. Reuven was successful in keeping Shimon awake for a few hours, until they were rescued. Reuven and Shimon were both taken to a nearby hospital. The doctor checked Reuven, and said that he was okay. Then the doctor checked Shimon. Unfortunately, the doctor had to amputate Shimon’s toes due to terrible frostbite. When the doctor told Reuven about Shimon’s condition, Reuven said that at least he was able to save Shimon’s life. The doctor turned to Reuven and told him that Shimon had saved his life! Reuven had a quizzical look on his face. The doctor explained that because Reuven had massaged Shimon, Reuven kept the blood flowing in his own limbs. His limbs and his life were saved.

Reuven thought that he was saving Shimon but in essence he was saving his own life. When we do a chesed, an act of kindness for another person, we think that we are doing them a favor. In reality, we are doing a favor for ourselves.

In the 1920’s Moshe lived in Yugoslavia and ran a successful business. One day his friend asked him to cosign on a large bank loan that he needed for his own business. Moshe agreed. Soon after, his friend’s business failed. Because he could not repay the loan, the bank turned to Moshe to pay it. Moshe could not and his own business was taken from him. Left without a livelihood, Moshe immigrated to America. Moshe succeeded in starting a business which became very successful. When Moshe passed away, he had 109 grandchildren. Moshe’s hometown in Yugoslavia had been wiped out during the Holocaust. Moshe’s move to America saved his life. (Living Emunah 6 by Rabbi David Ashear)

Moshe thought that he was doing a chesed for a friend. It turned out that he was the beneficiary of the chesed.

I have heard many rabbis say that the time of Moshiach’s arrival is getting ever closer. We should increase our efforts in two areas to “protect” ourselves from the “birth pangs” that will proceed Moshiach’s arrival. We should increase the amount of Torah that we learn. We should also increase our acts of chesed that we do for others.

Rabbeinu Yonah (Sha’arei Teshuvah, First Gate, paragraph 47) says that even after we repent from our sins, certain sins need to be cleansed by yisurin, afflictions. However, acts of chesed protect one from these afflictions. The acts of chesed take the place of the afflictions.

Rav Yisroel Salanter says when you are asked to do a chesed you should imagine that it is more difficult to do than it actually is. You should think that you would still do this act of chesed even under these difficult circumstances. If you do that, Rav Yisroel says that Hashem rewards you as if you had actually done the more difficult chesed!

The Ralbag (Bereishis 24:19) says that a person who does everything that he is asked is a person who does chesed. However, he is not considered the ultimate doer-of-chesed. The ultimate doer-of-chesed is one who notices or anticipates a person’s needs before he is asked. One who is alert to the needs of others even before being asked and then helps is the one who is the ultimate doer-of-chesed.

Our forefather, Avraham, exhibited this totality of chesed. “Avraham journeyed to the land of the Negev, and he lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived for a while in Gerar (Bereishis 20:1).” Why did Avraham move away from the area around Sodom? Rashi says that Avraham left when he observed that the cities had been destroyed and there were no more travelers passing through. The Midrash Rabbah (52:1) says that Avraham said,” ‘What, shall I allow the practice of benevolence to cease from my house?’ Therefore, he went and pitched a tent in Gerar.

At this time Avimelech and his general Phichol said to Avraham, “Hashem is with you in all that you do. (Bereishis 21:22)” Why did Avimelech go to Avraham at this point? The Midrash Rabbah (54:2) says that they were impressed that Avraham moved to a different location after Sodom was destroyed, and passersby ceased from traveling the road.

Rav Henach Leibowitz zt”l commented that it was strange that Avimelech should single out this act of chesed as defining Avraham’s greatness and of showing that Hashem was with him. After all, Avraham was well-known for his gracious hospitality. Yet, Avimelech could not be sure that Hashem was totally with Avraham until Avraham ran to do more chesed. Avraham actively moved to search for more chesed. This proved to Avimelech that Avraham was totally involved in chesed in all the fiber of his being, Thus, Hashem, who loved chesed, was surely with him.

Obviously, we should try to do as many acts of chesed as we can. Even so, we should strive to raise our level of chesed by emulating our forefather Avraham who actively searched for opportunities to do chesed.

A few examples that come to mind are noticing and helping someone carrying heavy packages ,opening the door for someone, offering a seat to an older person, offering a ride, inviting others to a meal, calling someone who is sick or lonely, showing friendship to a new neighbor or a new student in class or someone living away from home. Obviously, there are many other opportunities to do chesed if we look for them.

The acts of chesed that we do for others help them but benefit us the most!

Now, more than ever, is the time to increase our acts of chesed!

 

Parshas Ki Seitzei: Thank You??!!

Parshas Ki Seitzei

Thank You??!!

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“Do not despise the Edomite, for he is your brother; do not despise the Egyptian, for you were a stranger in his land.” (Devarim 23:8)

There is a famous story about a German gentile boy who grew up with his mother. He studied about the Holocaust and decided to travel to Israel to do more research at Yad Vashem. In Israel, he became attracted to Judaism and converted to Judaism. He was now known as Avraham. Avraham became engaged to a Jewish girl who had also converted. Avraham invited his mother to come from Germany to attend the wedding. Before the wedding, he persistently questioned his mother about his father. She finally told him the truth. His father was a former Gestapo agent who had murdered thousands and thousands of Jews. After the war, he was caught, tried, and sentenced to life in prison. Avraham was shocked beyond belief at this news. He told his mother that he never again wanted to hear about his father. A few years later. Avraham’s mother called him and said that he must come to Germany immediately to see his father who had only weeks to live. At first, Avraham refused. Then, he said he would go on the condition that he could bring his two children with him. His children, with their peyos around their ears, would show his father that he had failed in his attempt to exterminate the Jewish People. Avraham’s mother agreed. Avraham was exceedingly angry when he saw his father, a murderer of thousands. Finally, Avraham asked his father if he had ever done anything good. After all, why else would he have merited to have two Jewish grandchildren? His father replied that his job was to go into the Jewish section of towns and round up all the Jews, including women and children. He would have them brought to the center of town where they were shot to death. One time, his commander told him to check a barn behind a building. Avraham’s father went inside the barn and noticed two sets of eyes peering at him from under a haystack. He realized that these were from Jewish children who were hiding. He told Avraham that for some unknown reason, which he still did not understand, he pretended that the children were not there. He told his commanding officer that there were no Jews in the barn, thus sparing their lives. Now Avraham understood why his evil father merited to have two Jewish grandchildren. (Rabbi Zecharya Wallerstein zt”l on Torah Anytime.com)

The Torah says that we should not despise an Egyptian, “for you were a stranger in his land.” (Devarim 23:8) Therefore, “Children who will be born to them, in the third generation, may enter into Hashem’s community.” (ibid:9) Only a third-generation Egyptian convert may marry a Jew. [The Torah mentions certain peoples who, if they convert to Judaism, are still forbidden to marry a Jew for a specified number of generations. Rabbi Yosef ben Yitzchok Bekhor Shor was a French tosafist of the 12th century. He points out that this law does not apply nowadays. While King Sancherev of Assyria was trying to conquer the world, he displaced nations. Each nation that he conquered, he moved out of their land to other countries. Eventually, it became difficult to know anyone’s ancestry (other than the Jews), including who a true Egyptian was. Therefore, an Egyptian convert, as well as other converts, would be permitted to marry a Jew right away because of the Talmud’s rule דכל דפריש מרובא פריש].

Logically, we should hate Egyptians and never permit them to marry a Jew. After all, the Egyptians were exceedingly cruel in the way that they subjugated us. They even threw our firstborn baby boys into the river to drown! Yet, the Torah says that the third generation of an Egyptian convert is permitted to marry a Jew. Why? Rashi says because the Egyptians hosted us in our time of need. Rabbeinu Bachya adds that the fact remains that at a crucial point in our history Egypt offered a home to our people. They welcomed Yaakov’s family and gave them food during the famine.  Da’as Zekanim says that the Jews were welcome and well-treated residents in their country for many years.

The Talmud (Bava Kama 92B) brings Rava who asked Rabba bar Mari for the source of the statement, “If there is a well that you drank from, do not throw a stone into it.” Rabba bar Mari said that the source is our pasuk!  “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land”. Since you dwelled in their lands, you may not cause them harm. We see from this the requirement that the Torah places upon on to show gratitude for favors done for us.

The Netziv says in Ha’emek Davar that this is a characteristic of a refined soul. It makes us better people when we pay back the good that is done to us. And for this reason, Hashem trained us with this mitzvah.

Rav Avraham Pam zt”l points out (Messages from Rav Pam by Rabbi Sholom Smith) that the Egyptian hospitality lasted for a long period of time, for almost 100 years. With Pharoah’s permission, Yosef settled his family in the city of Goshen. The Jewish People multiplied from 70 people to a nation of millions. Out of gratitude for that, we accept their 3rd generation converts in marriage to a Jew.

We learn something very important from this. A small measure of good is not discounted by a large measure of bad (and vice versa). Although the Jews suffered greatly at the hands of the Egyptians, we can not overlook the years that they showed us much kindness.

Rabbi Pam zt”l takes this idea to teach us an important lesson for life. If someone does you a favor, you owe him a debt of gratitude. Even if that person stops helping you or causes you pain, you are still obligated to show him gratitude! At times, friends and even spouses get angry at one another because of one rude remark or thoughtless action. What about all the good that they have done? We are not permitted to forget all that good! We should focus on the good that they have done for us and minimize our focus on the bad. If we take this lesson to heart, peace will flourish, and we will be happier!

Rav Dessler zt”l  (quoted in Talelei Oros by Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rubin) adds that if we must show gratitude to the Egyptians, then consider how much greater is our obligation to show gratitude to those who do favors for us without causing us any suffering!

It is a mitzvah to maintain an attitude of gratitude! That attitude will bring us much happiness in life.

 

Parshas Shoftim – Let’s Use The Power!

Parshas Shoftim

Let’s Use The Power!

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“She called the Name Hashem Who had spoken to her. You are Almighty Who sees ….” (Bereishis 16:13)

In the city of Ofakim, there was a couple who were not blessed with children for many years. Many years of treatment and visiting doctors in many parts of the world did not bring the desired results. One day, the rav of Ofakim, Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus zt”l told the husband to come to his house after midnight. He did so. Rav Shimshon ushered him outside and into his car. Rav Shimshon drove for a long time. Finally, he stopped in the middle of the desert and told the husband to leave the car. “Right here, right now, you will be alone in the desert. Just you and the Ribbono Shel Olam. Now is the time for you to break down and cry real tears. Daven to Hashem like you’ve never davened before. Hashem wants to hear your t’fillos – and in the merit of this s’gulah, you will see a salvation. I will come back for you in a half hour.” The man got out of the car. All alone, in the pitch darkness, he davened. He begged and screamed and davened like never before. Thirty minutes later, Rav Shimshon drove up and rolled down his window. “No, you did not cry enough,” said the Rav to the astonished man. “This is not how to cry. Cry! Really cry! Beg and plead and cry from the depths of your heart and soul! Give it every, last ounce of energy. Use all of your remaining strength! Then, you will see salvation!” Rav Shimshon rolled his window back up and drove away a second time! The young man walked back into the desert night and let it all out. He screamed at the top of his lungs and cried to the point of total exhaustion. When Rav Shimshon pulled up 30 minutes later, he got out of the car and smiled. “Yes! This is what I meant by crying!” The man’s face was bright red and he was soaked through and through from perspiration and buckets and buckets of salty tears! “Now, you will surely see Hashem’s salvation,” concluded the Rav. Nine months later, almost to the day, the couple was blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby boy!

How great is the power of true t’fillah from the depths of one’s heart! (Queens Jewish Link by Rabbi Dovid Hoffman)

Teshuvah, Tefilla and Tzedakah annul the evil decrees against us.

We are already in the month of Elul, preparing for Rosh Hashana, Yom Hadin. Prayer is one important area to strengthen. We can reap great dividends from it!

v The Talmud (Brachos 28B) tells us that each time Rabbi Necḥunya ben Hakana entered the beis midrash to learn Torah or exited the beis midrash, he recited a brief prayer. When he entered, he prayed for Divine help that he should not make a mistake in his learning or teaching Torah.  Upon exiting he thanked Hashem for giving him the great privilege of learning Torah.

Rabbi Menachem Meiri, a Rishon from the 1200’s, says we can learn from this that anytime we need any type of help we should compose a prayer, in our own words, asking Hashem for what we need. This will help us always feel connected to Hashem.

v Hagar, our Matriarch Sarah’s maidservant who also became our Patriarch Avraham’s wife, ran away from Sarah to the desert (Bereishis 16:6). Angels appeared to her, each one giving a different message. They told her to return to Avraham and Sarah and that if she showed proper respect to Sarah then she would become pregnant and have a son, Yishmael.

Rashi says that Hagar understood that the angels were representatives who were sent by Hashem. She had been used to seeing angels coming to Avraham’s house. She was surprised that she saw them in the wilderness. She responded by offering a prayer to Hashem, “She called [She prayed in] the Name Hashem Who had spoken to her. [She said] You are Almighty Who sees [everything]….” (Bereishis 16:13)

Sforno explains that Hagar’s new insight caused her to daven to Hashem. In her tefillah she praised Hashem for noticing her pain. Until now she had assumed that revelations from Hashem were confined to Avraham’s house. Now she learned that Hashem may reveal Himself in any location. She learned that Hashem notices people’s pain. That inspired her to increase her level of tefillah as she praised Hashem. 

Rav Henach Leibowitz zt”l said when we daven, if we would realize the extent of how much Hashem cares about us and how much Hashem feels our pain, it would inspire us to daven with complete kavana, concentration!

v Before Moshe passed away, he criticized Klal Yisroel for not davening to Hashem to remove the decree that forbade him from entering Eretz Yisroel. The Midrash (Devarim 7:10) states that Moshe told Klal Yisroel that he davened to Hashem to save them from annihilation due to the sin of the golden calf. Moshe said, “One person could redeem 600,000 by the egel but 600,000 could not redeem one person?” Rav Henach Leibowitz zt”l said that it is not logical to say that the Jewish People did not daven at all for Moshe. After all, he had done so much for them.  The Jews did daven! However, the decree was very strong, and it required a very strong prayer to remove it. Prayer comes from the heart and there are different levels of intensity that are possible. Moshe was telling the Jewish People, had you davened with even more intensity and with more tears, then the decree against me would have been removed.

Maharzu says (Devarim 3:11) in order for Klal’s Yisroel’s tefillah to have been effective to remove the decree against Moshe, they would have had to initiate the tefillah on their own. They did not. Even had Moshe told them explicitly to daven for him, the tefillah would not have been powerful enough to have their request granted.

The power of our prayers is increased by the level of sincerity of our tears and the deep feeling in our hearts. An added nuance of feeling can make the difference in how our tefillah is answered.

Anytime we need any type of help we should compose a prayer, in our own words, asking Hashem for what we need. The realization of the extent of how much Hashem cares about us, will inspire us to daven with more kavana, concentration! Prayer comes from the heart and there are different levels of intensity that are possible. Every added nuance of feeling can make the difference in how our tefillah is answered. We have the power of prayer. Let’s use it!

 

Parshas Re’eh – The Two Most Important Keys That You Must Have!

Parshas Re’eh

The Two Most Important Keys That You Must Have!

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“He will be merciful toward you…” (Devarim 13:18)

This week is Shabbos Mevarchim Elul. We announce that Rosh Chodesh Elul will begin this coming Sunday and Monday. 

A sign had been posted in the main shul of Kovno that Rav Yisrael Salanter would be giving a drasha (Torah discourse) in the afternoon of Shabbos Mevarchim Elul. Rav Yisrael entered the shul and walked past the aron kodesh to speak. He called out, ‘Rabbosai, we have already bentched Chodesh Elul.” At that moment that Rav Yisrael cried out the word “Elul”, he fainted from the awesomeness of the month. It is the month that we examine and improve our actions even more than the other months. We prepare outrselves for Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgement, of Rosh Hashana. We hope and plan for a good new year.

There is so much that we need to do to improve to prepare for Rosh Hashana. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz zt”l gives two recommendations which can help us emerge meritorious in judgement (Sichas Mussar in the year 1972, shmuess # 38).

The Talmud (Rosh Hashana 17A) quotes Rava who says that if one is mevater, if he ignores and forgoes injustices done to him, the Heavenly court in turn forgoes punishment for all his sins. The Talmud continues with a story. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, became sick. Rav Pappa went to visit him. When he saw that Rav Huna was dying, Rav Pappa said to his attendants to prepare his shrouds (Rashi). Miraculously, Rav Huna recovered. Rav Pappa was embarrassed to see him, as it seemed as if he had decreed Rav Huna’s death. Rav Huna’s friends asked him, “What did you see when you were lying there suspended between life and death?” He replied that he was truly close to dying. Rashi says that he was supposed to have died. However, the Heavenly court determined that Rav Huna was a person who was mevater, he ignored insults and waived what was due to him. He was not exacting in judgement to others. Therefore, the Heavenly court was not exacting with him in his judgment. Even after death was decreed and Rav Huna was near death, he was spared.

The Talmud quotes Rav Acḥa bar Chanina who qualifies this by saying that Hashem forgives the sins of one who is mevater only if the reason that he is mevater is due to his humility.

Rav Chaim’s second segulah and recommendation is learned from this week’s Parsha. The Torah discusses an “עִיר הַנִדַחַת”, the Wayward city. That is a city where most of its inhabitants were persuaded to serve idols. The Torah says that the guilty parties are killed by the sword. The entire city with all its property is destroyed. It is eternally forbidden to rebuild that city (Devarim 13:13-19).

Or HaChaim explains that along with the mitzvah to kill the inhabitants of this Wayward city comes a major peril. This act would normally uproot the trait of mercy and cause cruelty in the hearts of those who killed the sinners. It normally would even create a desire to murder!  In fact, the Chofetz Chaim zt”l was very concerned that the Jewish soldiers returning from battle in World War I would have a tendency towards killing.

In this situation of those who killed the inhabitants of the Wayward City, Hashem gives a special promise that He will give them mercy, preventing their actions from automatically causing them to become cruel (Devarim 13:18).

The Torah adds “וְרִחַמְךָ”, “and He will be merciful,” to teach us that when we are cruel to others that is how Hashem act towards us [I assume that this means that Hashem will judge us justly but strictly, according to our actions]. However, when we are merciful to others, then Hashem will also be merciful to us.

The Talmud spells this out (Shabbos 151B). Rabbi Gamliel, son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, quotes the pasuk, “And and He will be merciful toward you and He will show you mercy….” (Deuteronomy 13:18) This teaches us that anyone who has compassion for Hashem’s creatures will receive compassion from Heaven, and anyone who does not have compassion for Hashem’s creatures will not receive compassion from Heaven.

כׇּל הַמְרַחֵם עַל הַבְּרִיּוֹת  מְרַחֲמִין עָלָיו מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְכֹל שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְרַחֵם עַל הַבְּרִיּוֹת אֵין מְרַחֲמִין עָלָיו מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם.

 

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz zt”l gives us two keys to benefit us as we prepare for Rosh Hashana,

the Day of Judgement. One is to ignore and forgo injustices done to us.

The other is to show compassion to others.

These actions benefit us personally and will make the world a happier place as well!