Category Archives: Sefer Shmos

Parshas Bo: Truth or Consequences!

Parshas Bo

Truth or Consequences!

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“…There was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt…. No man could rise from his place for three days, but for the Jewish People there was light….” (10:22-23)

During the last three days of the plague of Darkness, the Egytptians could not move.  They were literally frozen in place from the tangible darkness. The Midrash says that during these three days, Hashem had the Jews enter the homes of the Egyptians. The Jews saw where the Egyptians hid their wealth. Before the Jews left Egypt, they asked the Egyptians for this wealth that they had seen. When the Egyptians pretended they didn’t have anything, the Jews were able to tell them exactly where the items were hidden. However, during these three days of Darkness, while the Egyptians were immobile, not one Jew took advantage to take any item belonging to the Egyptians! When the Egyptians realized that the Jews could have taken anything they wanted without asking they were so impressed at their honesty.

The Orchos Tzaddikim discusses the importance of emulating Hashem and exhibiting honesty to all people. He quotes a Midrash (Devorim 3:3) which relates a story about Rabbi Shimon ben Shetach who purchased a donkey from an Arab. A precious stone was later found hanging on the donkey’s neck. Rabbi Shimon told his students, “I purchased a donkey, not a precious stone!” He went and returned the gem to the Arab. The Arab was very impressed by Rabbi Shimon’s honesty and exclaimed, “Blessed is the G-d of Shimon ben Shetach!”  The Orchos Tzaddikim also quotes a story from the Talmud (Yevamos 63A). Rav’s wife would constantly act contrary to his wishes. When he would ask her to serve him lentils, she would serve him peas; if he asked her for peas, she would serve him lentils. When Rav’s son, Chiya, grew up, he would reverse the requests that Rav had asked him to convey to his wife. Chiya did it out of respect for his father. That way Rav would get what he had wanted. When Rav found out what his son was doing he told him not to do it anymore.  Rav quoted a pasuk to his son, “They have taught their tongue to speak lies….” (Jeremiah 9:4).  Chiya’s intentions were noble. He wanted his father to get what he had asked for. Chiya also wanted to foster peace between his parents. Yet, Rav was concerned that this type of behavior may lead his son to becoming a liar. He was concerned that a breach in honesty would eventually lead to dishonesty.

Rav Henach Leibowitz zt”l points out, we know that there are times that one is permitted to “lie” for the sake of promoting peace. In those instances, it is a mitzvah to do so. However, there is a very fine line distinguishing when one may “lie” and when one may not. Rav Leibowitz zt”l says that is only through the teachings of the Torah that we can find the proper balance of when we are permitted to “lie”. Even more so, if the lines between honesty and falsehood are blurred, one’s actions will suffer.  One can think he is doing the right thing when in reality it is wrong. Rav Leibowitz zt”l quoted two sources to prove his point. Avrohom’s servant, Eliezer, went to the house of Besuel, to find a wife for Yitzchak. Eliezer asked them, “If you intend to do kindness and truth with my master, tell me…”. The Sforno explains what Eliezer was saying. Let me know if you intend to do kindness to Avraham by sending your daughter far away. Let me know if you intend to act with truth by doing what is in the best interests of your daughter, Rivkah. It would be a big honor for her to become part of the illustrious family of Avraham. Rav Leibowitz zt”l asks, what does this have to do with truth? Wouldn’t it be a lack of kindness not to do what was best for Rivkah? Rav Leibowitz zt”l answers, that Rivkah’s family was entrusted to take care of her. If they would not do what is best for her, that would be violating their trust. That would be a violation of truth. Similarly, if we are entrusted with something to do, it would be a violation of truth if we would not do the assignment the best way that we can.  The Ibn Ezra explains “truth” as ensuring that the act of kindness is done. Rav Leibowitz zt”l learns an important concept from this. One may be very kind, always looking to help others. However, his kindness may not last. Once the initial excitement dies down or once things become a little difficult, he may stop doing the act of kindness. However, if he is a person of truth, he will abide by his word and make sure that he completes his act of kindness.

A truthful person will try to do that which is right. He will work hard, attempting to complete the acts of kindness that he started.

Parshas Va’era: Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder!

Parshas Va’era

Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder!

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“Therefore, say to the Children of Israel: I am Hashem. I will free you from under the burdens of Egypt and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgements…. And you shall know that I am Hashem, your G-d, who freed you from under the burdens of Egypt.”. (6:6-7)

The Bombardier beetle has an extraordinarily impressive defense system. In its stomach there are two special storage chambers. Each of these chambers is filled with a different chemical substance. When the beetle is attacked, the chemicals combine. These chemicals must be kept separate and in a deactivated state. When they are mixed in the combustion chamber, they must be activated at just the right time, in the right amounts, and in the right way, or else the beetle will blow itself up. The beetle can release this incredibly dangerous spray in a series of tiny pulses that can reach up to 22 miles per hour! It fires between 368 and 735 pulses per second, to either side or to the front or back with a great deal of accuracy by adjusting the position of its lower abdomen, just like the turret of a tank. These chemicals reach as high as 212 degrees Fahrenheit! How could such a system evolve? Everything had to work right from the beginning, or no offspring would see the light of day to pass along the lucky discovery. Yet, Scientists still say, “The full evolutionary history of the beetle’s unique defense mechanism is unknown, but biologists have shown that the system could have evolved from defenses found in other beetles in incremental steps by natural selection”.  (Stanford.edu; Danny Lewis in Smithsonian mag.com; Spacecraft Earth by Dr Henry Richter)

One can believe the obvious, that there is a G-D who created and supervises the world. Or, one can try to dismiss miracles in a truly illogical way, as if they were merely naturally occurring events.

Rabbi Moshe Sofer, known as the Chasam Sofer, says that we are impressed by supernatural miracles, yet many people tend to dismiss the everyday miracles as simply being part of Nature. We should all be astounded when we see the perfection in tiny insects the size of the eye of a needle. We should be amazed that a small seed can produce a huge tree with branches and fruits.

The Talmud (Rosh Hashana 11A) says that although we left Egypt on Passover, the actual freedom started much earlier. On Rosh Hashana the decrees of labor ended, and the Jewish people were no longer subjected to merciless work. There were many Jews who did not understand that this was Hashem’s doing. They felt that it was just a coincidence or maybe a stirring of compassion on the part of the Egyptians.

The Talelei Oros says that this explains an oddity in the psukim. The first part of Hashem’s prophecy that He will remove the bondage from the Jews, makes no mention of a recognition that this was a miracle from Hashem. It was viewed by some as a “natural” occurrence. However, the next part of the prophecy that Hashem will take out the Jews with great wonders and miracles states, “And you will know that I am Hashem who freed you from under the burdens of Egypt”. Only after the miraculous exodus will the Jews realize retroactively that even the seeming natural events of the end of slavery was also miraculous.

We should stop to think how wonderous every facet of nature is. We will begin to realize how miraculous everything is. We will see the hand of Hashem everywhere.  This will draw us closer to Hashem and will encourage us to learn Hashem’s Torah and perform His mitzvos.

Parshas Shmos: What Goes Around Comes Around!

Parshas Shmos

What Goes Around Comes Around!

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“And the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moshe stood up and helped them”. (2:17)

Early one morning, Yoni, an Israeli Defense Force soldier, was shot by an Arab terrorist. Yoni passed out and was bleeding profusely. Another soldier stationed nearby rushed over and called for help. Meanwhile he kept applying pressure to the wound. His actions saved Yoni from bleeding to death. Yoni’s parents wanted to thank the soldier that saved their son’s life, but he couldn’t be located. They hung up a sign in the grocery store that they owned, describing what had happened. They hoped that eventually they might find out who the mystery soldier was. About a year later, a woman customer noticed the sign and said that it was her son, Yair, who had saved Yoni’s life. Yoni’s mother couldn’t thank her enough. After a moment, Yair’s mother asked Yoni’s mother, “Don’t you remember me?” She didn’t remember her. Yair’s mother said that twenty years earlier she used to live nearby. Once she had entered this same grocery looking very sad and depressed. Yoni’s mother had asked her what was bothering her. She had said that she was going through a very difficult time and was also pregnant. She had decided to have an abortion. As soon as she had said the word “abortion”, Yoni’s parents spoke to her at length.  They calmed her down and she decided not to have the abortion. She gave birth to a son whom she named Yair. Yair was only alive because of the caring and sincere concern of Yoni’s parents. Twenty years later, Yair, whose life they helped save, saved their son Yoni’s life.   (Adapted from friendsofefrat.org)

The Egyptians were killing all the Jewish baby boys. Baby Moshe was put in the river in a basket (Shmos 2:4).  His sister Miriam stood nearby to see what would happen to him (the Yalkut Shimoni says, Miriam had prophesized that Moshe would redeem the Jews from Egyptian bondage.  She wanted to see how the prophecy would be fulfilled if Moshe was now in a very dangerous situation).  Miriam’s actions were rewarded years later.  Since she waited to see what would happen to Moshe, when she got tzoraas (a special skin disease for saying slander) all the Jews waited for her. Hashem’s Holy presence, the Aron (holy ark) and thereby all the people waited for seven days until she was healed. Rav Dovid Leibowitz zt”l points out that the Jews understood the infinite holiness of Eretz Yisroel and what it meant to enter it. They wanted to enter it as soon as possible. Yet, they were kept waiting in order to repay Miriam for the few moments that she had waited previously, to see what would happen to Moshe. It wasn’t an extraordinary act of kindness to see what would happen to one’s baby brother, Yet Miriam was rewarded for it. Even for doing a small act of kindness one receives a great reward!

Yisro’s seven daughters were shepherds. When they came to the well to get water for their animals, the other shepherds routinely drove them away.  One time, Moshe, after escaping near death in Egypt, came to Midyan and witnessed this scene at the well. Although these girls were strangers, Moshe saved them from the other shepherds. Moshe eventually married Tziporah, one of Yisro’s daughters. Years later when Moshe was returning to Egypt to redeem the Jewish People, Tziporah saved his life. An angel appearing like a snake sought to kill Moshe for not circumcising his son right away. Moshe had postponed it to do Hashem’s bidding to save the Jews. Moshe should have performed the bris before he set-up his tent for lodging.  Tziporah understood what was happening and quickly performed the bris, herself. In so doing, she saved Moshe’s life.

The Chofetz Chaim zt”l says, we see from this that the kindness you do for others is eventually repaid to you!
You benefit yourself, by doing an act of kindness to others!

Parshas Pekudei: Why be Jealous?

Parshas Pekudei

Why be Jealous?

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“…and [you, Moshe] anoint them [Aharon’s sons] as you have anointed their father, that they may serve Me as priests.” (Shmos 40:15)

“Someone opened a store right next door to mine. He will take all my business away!” complained a storekeeper to Rabbi Meir of Premishlan. The sage replied, “Have you ever seen a horse drink water from a river? He walks into the water and stamps his hooves. Do you know why? He looks down at the water and sees his reflection. He thinks that another horse is also drinking. Envious and afraid that the “other” horse will drink up all the water, he kicks his mirror image. That is the attitude of the horse, continued Rabbi Meir. However, you know better. You realize that there is enough water in the river for all the horses, and that no one can touch what Hashem has prepared for his friend. Place your trust in Hashem and you will nothing to fear and nothing to be jealous of”. (from Ethics of the Fathers by Rabbi Moshe Lieber)

The Midrash says, when Moshe spoke to Hashem at the burning bush, he requested from Hashem that his sons take over the reins of leadership from him after his passing. Hashem told him that they won’t.

In this Parsha, The Tabernacle was set up. The Tabernacle was anointed and hallowed with a special oil. Hashem asked Moshe to inaugurate Aharon and his sons into the Priesthood by dressing them in the clothes of the kohanim and anointing them with the same special oil. Hashem told Moshe to anoint Aharon’s sons “the same way he annointed Aharon”. Why did Hashem have to emphasize to Moshe to anoint Aharon’s sons “the same way he annointed Aharon”? The Meshach Chachma (Rabbi Meir Simha HaKohen Dvinsk) says that Moshe was happy to anoint his older brother and inaugurate him into the priesthood. He highly respected Aharon and even would have preferred if Hashem would have appointed Aharon instead of him to take the Jewish people out of Egypt. However, Hashem knew that even a tzaddik like Moshe could possibly feel stirrings of jealousy in his heart. Moshe would be anointing Aharon’s sons, continuing Aharon’s legacy while Moshe’s own sons would not follow in his footsteps of leadership. Therefore, Hashem gave Moshe the added encouragement to annoint Aharon’s sons with the same great joy and overflowing love with which he had anointed Aharon.

Jealousy is a feeling that could have challenged even Moshe Rabbeinu.

Jealousy is often an automatic response to what you feel is unfair. Perhaps you and a friend both interviewed for a job. Yet, he was hired, and you were not. Perhaps a friend is wealthy, and you are struggling. Perhaps his children seem to have it all, whereas yours have challenges. Perhaps his children are all married whereas yours are still single.

You feel consumed by feelings of jealousy. It affects your happiness and even your relationship with your friend. What do you gain through these feelings? Nothing! Nothing is changed except that your stress level is higher, and your level of happiness is lower. Rabbi Elazar HaKappar says in Ethics of the Fathers that jealousy is emotionally debilitating. King Solomon said that jealousy penetrates in and corrodes the inner being of a person.

The way to combat jealousy is as Rabbi Meir of Premishlan quoted from our rabbis. Hashem knows what is best for each one of us. Hashem gives each of us what we truly need in life. It is impossible for us to take anything that is not coming to us. We can’t even get one penny that is not coming to us. We are unable to take anything away from someone else. So, we have absolutely nothing to gain by being jealous.

Jealousy harms our health. Hashem gives us everything that we need to fulfill our purpose in life. We can’t get even one extra penny for ourselves if it was supposed to go to someone else. With this understanding, why be jealous?

No jealousy here– MI K’AMCHA YISROEL: After a fire on January 12, 2019, destroyed Yossi Heiman’s Fish Market, his competitor, Shea Langsam, offered space in his nearby fish store for Yossi to run his business.

Parshas Vayakhel: Hashem Loves Each and Every One of Us!

Parshas Vayakhel

Hashem Loves Each and Every One of Us!

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“Hashem has singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Chur, of the tribe of Judah.… Hashem gave him [Betzalel] the ability to teach, him and Oholiav, son of Achisamach, of the tribe of Dan.” (Shmos 35:30,34)

Chaim and his friend Pinchas lived in Russia in the early 1900’s. They both studied Torah with the same private teacher. For excellence in their learning, each one of the boys received special gifts from their grandfathers. Chaim received a new pair of boots for the damp, Russian winters. Pinchas received a warm, woolen sweater. They both went out into the frigid cold wearing their new gifts. As they walked together, they saw their friend Shaika, a poor orphan boy, walking towards them. Chaim and Pinchas earned their gifts with their hard work. Yet, how would their friend feel if he noticed their new items compared to his raggedy clothing and shabby, torn boots. After a quick consultation with each other, they removed their gifts and gave them to their friend, Shaika to keep. Shaika was happy beyond words and didn’t even notice Chaim standing in the freezing snow without boots on his feet. Chaim and Pinchas clearly did something special. They didn’t have to do what they did. If Shaika saw their new articles and felt bad about his bad luck, that wouldn’t have been their fault. Yet, they acted with such nobility to ensure that Shaika wouldn’t feel bad (based on a story by Rabbi Paysach Krohn).

Betzalel was chosen by Hashem to supervise the construction of the Mishkan (the holy Tabernacle). Hashem then appointed Oholiav to be a co-supervisor, as an equal to Betzalel. Why was it necessary for Hashem to also choose Oholiav? Rashi explains that it was to fulfill what the prophet Iyov said that Hashem “does not regard the rich more than the poor”. Betzalel was from the tribe of Yehudah, one of the “greater” tribes. In order that the “lesser tribes” (those born from Yaakov’s maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah) should not feel slighted by the honor given to the “greater” tribes, Hashem also appointed Oholiav who was from the tribe of Dan, Bilhah’s son, one of the “lesser” tribes. We see how concerned Hashem is for all His children, that none should feel slighted.

Rashi is troubled. The pasuk introduces Betzalel with both his father’s and grandfather’s names, yet only introduces Oholiav with his father’s name. Rashi, as explained by the Sifsei Chachamim, says that Betzalel was chosen for this prestigious position, of supervising the construction of the Mishkan, only due to the merit of his grandmother, Miriam the prophetess (Moshe’s sister).

According to this, Betzalel was not chosen because he was from one of the “greater” tribes. He was only chosen because of merit of Miriam. If so, how could anyone from the “lesser” tribes feel bad? This appointment was due to a personal merit and was not a lack of “not regarding the rich more than the poor”?

We learn from Hashem’s actions how careful and sensitive we must be to the feelings of others. Even though the other tribes knew intellectually that the appointment of Betzalel was not disrespectful to them, they may still have felt emotionally a very slight degree of resentment. Why wasn’t anyone from their own, “lesser” tribes chosen to help build the Mishkan. Even though the hurt feelings of the “lesser” tribes were not based on the reality of the situation, Hashem wanted to address those feelings. Hashem did not want any of his children to be hurt, even minimally and even if they were only hurt because they misread the situation.

We must be sensitive and go out of our way to avoid hurting the feelings of others. We must be so careful (even if we are not doing anything wrong), to avoid feelings getting hurt due to someone totally misunderstanding the situation.

Based on a dvar Torah by Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz zt”l,
Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim

Parshas Ki Sisa: The Power of the Mind!

Parshas Ki Sisa

The Power of the Mind!

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“See, I have singled out by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur…. I have endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft.” (Shmos 31:2-4)

After Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz’s daughter became engaged to one of his outstanding students, the chassan left the yeshivah to learn in another city during the engagement period. A few months later, a package arrived with the engagement gifts Rav Boruch Ber’s family had given the chassan, along with a letter informing the family that the chassan was breaking the engagement. The family was devastated. Incredibly, a while later, the boy also requested that Rav Boruch Ber write a letter recommending him for a position as rav in a small town.

Rav Boruch Ber managed to rise above his personal anguish and hurt and penned a beautiful letter, eloquently praising the young man. Not only did he write the letter, but he also called in three students and asked them to read it before he sent it, to ensure that there was no trace of any personal ill will toward the former chassan.

In this week’s Parsha, Betzalel was a mere 13 years old when he was chosen to supervise the construction of the Mishkan (Hashem’s holy Tabernacle). Hashem instilled within him the wisdom and skill for all the crafts necessary for building the Mishkan. Betzalel became an expert at weaving designs, working with precious metals, stone-cutting, wood carving, and more.

Why was such a young child chosen for this monumental task? The Daas Zekeinim MiBaalei Tosefos answers this question based on the way the Torah introduces Betzalel-by both his father and his grandfather’s names. Betzalel’s grandfather was Chur (the son of Moshe’s sister, Miriam). Chur was the only one who tried to prevent the Jews from sinning with the Golden Calf. He was killed as a result of his attempt. The building of the Mishkan was to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. Appointing Chur’s grandson, Betzalel, to lead the construction, was a way of Hashem repaying Chur for his ultimate sacrifice.

What a fitting way for Hashem to recognize Chur’s ultimate sacrifice. However, was this truly such a good idea? The Mishkan had to be built with holy intentions and with a high degree of love for the Jewish People to enable it to be a source of atonement for their sin. We would think that choosing Betzalel would be the worst possible choice! While Betzalel was constructing the Mishkan, wouldn’t he think about why it had to be built? The Jewish People needed atonement only because they ignored his own grandfather’s pleas to stop. They had killed his own grandfather because they refused to listen to him. Had they listened to his grandfather, they would not need this atonement. Betzalel was involved in bringing forgiveness to this People who were responsible for his grandfather’s murder! How could Betzalel feel the love for this People as he was building the Mishkan?! Wouldn’t it provoke him with angry memories of what had happened?

We learn from this an amazing insight into human nature. It was possible for Betzalel to remove from his mind and from his heart, the tragedy of his grandfather’s murder. He was able to be involved in building the Mishkan with total joy that he was creating the vehicle to bring forgiveness to the Jewish People.

This is a very important lesson for us. We can wholeheartedly do a favor for someone even if he did something terrible to us.

We are able to remove all traces of anger and hatred from our hearts and respond to others with happiness and with joy, even when a reminder of that mean action is in front of our eyes!

Based on a dvar Torah by Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz zt”l,
Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim

Parshas Tetzaveh: Is Seeing, Believing?

Parshas Tetzaveh

Is Seeing, Believing?

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“You shall bring near your brother Aaron, with his sons, from among the Israelites, to serve Me as priests…” (Shmos 28:1)

This morning I was at a staff meeting of all the nurses of the ward. As we sat around the table, I saw to my dismay that one of the nurses was wearing a pair of earrings that I had been missing for two months. The earrings were a gift from my mother-in law. They were expensive and were very unusual in design. How could she just wear them? Why hadn’t she posted signs and tried to find the owner? How could I get my earrings back without embarrassing both of us? The meeting ended and I glanced at “my earrings” again. It was then that I noticed a tiny gold ball on the tip of each earring. My earrings did NOT have that. Clearly, they were not my earrings. (from The Other Side of the Story by Yehudis Samet).

We can be so certain that we are right- seeing is believing. Yet, we can be wrong! Sometimes, we only see a partial picture and make an incorrect evaluation. That is why we are commanded to judge people favorably. It is meritorious and sometimes even obligatory to imagine an unusual scenario if that will help us judge a person’s actions in a favorable light (assuming the person is not inherently evil).

Moshe Rabbeinu was descending Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments that Hashem Himself had written. Moshe saw the terrible sight of some Jews dancing around an idol in the form of a living calf made from gold. Then Moshe saw his brother Aharon. The Midrash says that Moshe saw Aharon knocking on the calf with a hammer. Moshe couldn’t believe what he was seeing! His brother, Aharon, was participating in making this idol! Moshe’s heart felt upset at Aharon for doing this. Sometime later, when Hashem wanted Moshe to appoint Kohanim, Moshe wanted to distance himself from Aharon until Hashem commanded him to bring Aharon close and choose him. Hashem put in Moshe’s heart the ability to totally understand what really happened. Hashem told Moshe, “I know that Aharon’s intentions were for good [and that you misunderstood].” All of Aharon‘s actions were done to protect the Jews. He tried to stall those few Jews who were pushing for an idol, until Moshe returned.

How could Moshe have made such a mistake even though it “seemed” that Aharon was involved? Aharon was a totally righteous person. The love between them was so great. In fact, when Hashem asked Moshe to lead the Jews out of Egypt, he initially refused. He felt that Aharon who led the Jews in Egypt, should be chosen. Moshe didn’t want to slight the honor of his older brother, Aharon. Why didn’t Moshe judge Aharon favorably? If a person is righteous and he appears to have sinned, you are obligated to picture a scenario that depicts this person as totally guiltless. Why didn’t Moshe do this?

We see from here how difficult this mitzvah is. A person reacts to what he sees superficially. A person may be able to create a strange scenario in his mind, enabling him to understand that the other person acted in a just manner. But it is very hard for the heart to believe what the mind invents. Intellectually, Moshe may have not had a problem with Aharon’s actions- he was able to formulate a scenario that Aharon acted faithfully. But to a very slight degree, deep in Moshe’s heart he didn’t feel that this scenario was accurate until Hashem helped him to feel it.

It is difficult to give a person the benefit of the doubt, especially if we personally witnessed what they did. We must realize that truth is often stranger than fiction and that there might have been more to the story than the small part that we saw with our own eyes.

Giving the benefit of the doubt will help us avoid speaking badly of others. It will also help us to be happier people. In addition, if we give the benefit of the doubt to others, then Hashem will also give us the benefit of the doubt.

Based on a dvar Torah by Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz zt”l,
Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim

Parshas Terumah: Unlock Your Potential!

Parshas Terumah

Unlock Your Potential!

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“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” (Shmos 25:8)

Naftali Tzvi Yehudah was not doing well in school. One night he overheard his parents talking about him in another room. His father was crying and felt saddened that it didn’t seem that his son would succeed in his Torah learning. His parents felt that they would have to take him out of school and teach him a trade. As soon as Naftali Tzvi Yehudah heard this, he burst into the room and assured his parents that he would begin to work very hard in school. His parents agreed to give him one last chance. True to his word, Naftali Tzvi Yehudah became a very diligent student and became very knowledgeable in his Torah learning. The Netziv, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin, became one of the greatest Torah leaders of his time! He headed the Volozhin yeshiva and authored many Torah books. Later in his life, the Netziv bemoaned what might have been had he not heard his father’s pain and begged for one more chance. He would have grown up as a good Jew. He would have davened daily and would have been an honest worker in some trade. He probably would have learned some Torah, such as Mishnayos. However, after his passing, the Heavenly Court would have held him accountable for what he could have accomplished but did not. He imagined that the Heavenly Court would say to him. “You had the abilities to become very learned in Torah and you were supposed to author books of Torah learning. You were also supposed to teach Torah to many students. Why didn’t you fulfill your potential? Why weren’t you as good as you could have been?” (based on a story from Rabbi Paysach Krohn)

The Chofetz Chaim quotes a Pesikta: When Hashem asked Moshe Rabbeinu to make a sanctuary for His Holy Presence to dwell in, Moshe trembled greatly. Moshe questioned, “How it was humanly possible to make a house for Hashem? Hashem’s holy Presence is infinite and can’t be contained in all the heavens!” Hashem told Moshe, “I am not asking you [to build a sanctuary] based on my ability to do so. Rather, [try your best and do it] according to your capabilities.” When Hashem asked Moshe to bring a sacrificial offering for Him, Moshe was bewildered. Even if he were to sacrifice all the animals in the world it wouldn’t be significant to Hashem who owns all the animals in the world. Hashem again responded to do what you can do. All Hashem wanted was one lamb in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Hashem will never say to us, why don’t you learn as much Torah as the other fellow? Why don’t you give as much charity as he does? Why don’t you do as many good deeds as he does? Rather, Hashem will ask us, why don’t you learn as much Torah as you are capable of? Why don’t you give as much charity as you are capable of? Why don’t you do as many good deeds as you are capable of?

We all have different G-D given qualities and abilities. Our obligation in life is to use our own, personal abilities to their maximum potential.

Parshas Mishpatim: Was it Really the Perfect Crime?

Parshas Mishpatim

Was it Really the Perfect Crime?

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“When a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox, and four sheep for the sheep.” (Shmos 21:37)
“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Shmos 22:20)

AAMCO is an American transmission-repair company. They claim that car transmissions are delicate mechanisms. Each car transmission needs the correct fluid in order to run properly and to last long. Putting in the wrong transmission fluid in a car will eventually cause the transmission to fail.

The most technologically advanced invention is also the most delicate. That invention is the human being. Often, we can do something to damage our own or other’s delicate mechanism without even realizing it.

On the outside, we may view a six-foot-three-inch Navy SEAL, weighing two hundred and eighty pounds of pure muscle, as a “tough guy”. On the inside, however, every human being has a very delicate and sensitive mechanism.

The Ba’alei Mussar are those Torah mentors who teach us to have sensitivity to others. If a person’s relative was killed by hanging, you should never mention, in their earshot, anything about hanging. For instance, you should not even discuss hanging a picture. Although meant as an innocent remark, the word “hanging” will strike a sensitive chord and will make the person feel bad, either consciously or subconsciously.

If a man steals an ox and slaughters or sells it, he must repay the animal’s owner five times its worth. However, if he steals a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay the animal’s owner only four times its worth. Why does the thief pay less for what he did to the sheep? Rashi quotes the answer from the Talmud. It is somewhat degrading to the thief when he carries the sheep away on his shoulders. The Torah considers this embarrassment as a partial compensation for the theft. Therefore, the thief pays a reduced fine.

The Talmud’s answer seems strange. This thief feels so happy that he succeeded in the “perfect crime”. He feels good about himself. What embarrassment is there?

Apparently, the Torah is teaching us that there is a level of embarrassment that the thief feels, subconsciously, without even realizing it. His delicate, internal mechanism was damaged, without his even realizing it.

This educates us to a whole new understanding of what a person is. He is so sensitive to insult or embarrassment. Sometimes he is not even aware of the hurt, yet it affects him, nonetheless.

On the other hand, a thoughtless remark can damage our own internal mechanism. The Torah tells us not to insult a ger, a convert to Judaism, because we too were gerim, strangers, in Egypt. Our remark insults and hurts ourselves. This too is illogical. Our forefathers were strangers in Egypt over three thousand years ago. If I insult someone by calling him a ger can that possibly affect me? The answer is a resounding yes! A human is so sensitive that even such a remark will cause pain to his subconscious.

We must be so exceedingly careful of our words and deeds.
A thoughtless act or remark can pain or damage a person’s delicate and sensitive mechanism.

Based on a dvar Torah by the Alter of Kelm zt”l

Parshas Yisro: Seize the Moment!

Parshas Yisro

Seize the Moment!

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“And Yisro, the Priest of Midyan, the father-in-law of Moshe heard all that Hashem did for Moshe and to His People, Israel.” (Shmos 18:1)

Chaim, an irreligious Jew once told a young Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l that although he knew absolutely nothing about Sabbath observance he still had a very strong belief in Hashem. He then went on to tell Rav Shlomo Zalman his story. He was drafted into the Russian army just as World War I started. Both sides dug holes (called foxholes) and shot at each other. After many hours there was a ceasefire to gather the dead and wounded. During that time, Chaim noticed religious Jews praying to Hashem with great intensity. When their prayers were complete their faces showed calm and comfort. Chaim could not feel that comfort because he was not religious and did not know how to pray. During one particularly fierce day of fighting, Chaim called out. G-D, it is not my fault that I don’t know how to speak to you. My father never taught me. Please send me a sign that You are here, on the battlefield and I will learn what it means to be a good Jew. A moment later a single bullet hit Chaim’s finger and he lost consciousness. When he awoke, in the hospital, he reinforced his commitment to learn about Judaism. After the war, Chaim remembered his commitment. He decided to postpone his learning for three months so that he could finish his degree and be able to earn a living. After the three months he began to study Torah but didn’t feel his initial enthusiasm. He eventually gave-up and remained as ignorant as before. Had he seized his moment of inspiration and first studied Torah before finishing his degree, he very likely would have been a totally different person. He would have learned Torah and acquired an understanding of how to speak to Hashem. (based on a true story from Rabbi Pesach Krohn)

Rashi asks, what did Yisro hear to make him want to join the Jewish people? Rashi, quoting the Talmud, says that he heard the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea and the war with Amalek.

Hashem had freed the Jewish nation from Egypt. When they approached the Red Sea, it split for them. So many open miracles occurred. The Sea split into 12 pathways, one for each tribe. The muddy floor became marble to make it easy to walk on. Fruit trees sprang up and fresh water became available. These are only a few of the numerous miracles that occurred. The roar of the waters splitting was even heard in distant countries. At that moment, all water in the world also split. The entire world knew about this miracle.

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Chasman was the spiritual mentor of the Chevron Yeshiva in 1927. He asked, what was unique about Yisro? The entire world also heard about the same events. Rabbi Yehudah Leib Chasman answered that Yisro didn’t merely hear. He took action. Others may have been moved and inspired for a short while but remained where they were. Yisro, on the other hand, was inspired and acted upon it. He left his home and went to join the Jewish nation, thus changing his entire direction in life.

Throughout our lives we have moments of inspiration. We are inspired for a short while and then return to our regular routines. If we want the moments of inspiration to last and bring us closer to Hashem, we must act upon them. We must “Seize the Moment of Inspiration” and do an action to concretize those feelings; Whether it is saying extra Tehillim, davening with more intensity or concentration (even for one tefillah) or learning a little extra.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto in his book, The Path of the Just, discusses doing mitzvos with quickness. We can apply his idea here. He says that we should rush to do a mitzvah when the opportunity to do it presents itself or even when we think of doing it. “There is no greater danger than to delay the mitzvah for each new minute can bring a hindrance to doing the mitzvah”. Similarly, there is no greater danger than to delay doing a concrete, positive action when inspired. For if we don’t “Seize That Moment of Inspiration” we may lose it forever, losing our opportunity for personal growth.

We must seize our moments of inspiration and act upon them immediately!