Rabbi
Doniel Staum, LMSW
Rabbi,
Kehillat New Hempstead
Social
Worker, Yeshiva Bais Hachinuch
STAM
TORAH
PARSHAS
BEHAR-BECHUKOASI 5773
“WITHOUT
ULTERIOR MOTIVE”
When we lived in the Blueberry Hills
complex in Monsey, a few years ago we had the opportunity to meet some
wonderful families at our Shabbos table. The Bielinki family was one of those
families.
During the Shabbos seudah we shared, Ami Bielinki
related to me his personal story which amazed me. I appreciate Ami reviewing
the details of his fascinating story with me, and allowing me to share it here:
Ami grew up in Acton, Massachusetts, with
his parents and one older brother. He was a typical American kid in a typical
American family; the fact that he was Jewish did not bear much significance to
him.
When he was a 17 year old senior in High
School, he began applying for admission into college. He was accepted into
George Washington University in Washington D.C. for international business law.
Because he had applied for early admissions he took it for granted that he
would receive financial aid. He was shocked when the school informed him that
he was denied all financial assistance because he was working in a law firm,
and therefore was assumed to have finances.
By that time it was too late to begin applying
to most colleges. So Ami opened the “Kaplan Book of Colleges” to find a school
that had no deadline for admissions. He found a school called Kol Yaakov in a
village called Monsey, NY. Not only were they were willing to accept him, they
told him he could join as soon as he was able to come.
Ami graduated High School on a Friday in
early June, went to a graduation party on Saturday, and arrived at Kol Yaakov
on Sunday.
When he walked in they handed him a gemara
Bava Kamma and promptly opened it to the eighth perek, “Hachovel”. At the time Ami didn’t even know how to read Hebrew, and was
barely able to recognize the letters he had learned in his youth. But he was an
adventurous American kid and was intrigued by the challenge of studying Talmud.
Ami was never mechallel Shabbos
again. He remained in yeshiva and began to thrive. He learned by repetition and
rote until he was able to read perfectly, without an accent. He continued his
learning to higher and higher levels, staying in Kol Yaakov for four years.
During the third year there he married a ‘born and bred’ Monsey Bais Yaakov
girl.
Ami and his family currently live in
Lakewood, NJ.
The Torah states “Im b’chukosai taylaychu- If you will follow in My Ways”, then we
will be blessed with uninhibited bountiful blessing. Rain, sustenance, peace, and
national security, are also guaranteed.
Rashi explains that following in G-d’s ways
means toiling in Torah study. There are many facets and components of Avodas
Hashem, including performing acts of kindness, prayer, Shabbos, and fulfillment
of mitzvos. Rashi is explaining that Torah study provides the ultimate medium
for attainment of holiness.
The Kotzker Rebbe[1]
extrapolated this idea from a verse in Shir Hashirim. The verse there
describes the passionate love of the beloved (Klal Yisroel) for her betrothed
(G-d). “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his lips, for his love is greater
than wine.[2]”
Rashi notes that wine is a reference to Torah study. Thus, the verse is
teaching that although there are many ways one can feel connected with G-d, the
ultimate connection is achieved through Torah study; “Ki tovim dodecha” the greatest way to experience the love of G-d is
“miyayin- from wine”, i.e. Torah
study.
There was once a shul that was having a
difficult time sustaining its diminishing membership. They arranged social
events, neighborhood barbecues, and youth groups, but all to no avail; the
steady decline in membership continued. Finally, the Board of Directors
approached a wise Rabbi and unburdened their frustrations to him. The Rabbi replied
by relating the following story:
There was once a Saudi-Arabian Sheik that
was as wealthy as he was influential. He owned vast oil refineries that netted
him unimaginable profits. Companies around the world competed for his business,
generating more revenue than he could spend in ten lifetimes.
One day, he arrived in New York for a
business meeting to further his American interests. The capitalist bureaucrats
were salivating with excitement. As soon as his private jet landed they rolled out
the red carpet. An entourage befitting aristocracy, including a police motorcade,
accompanied him to the Waldorf Astoria hotel where he enjoyed the luxury suite
reserved for the most prestigious dignitaries. Whenever he left the hotel,
streets and highways were closed off to traffic as he sped around the impatient
city unimpeded.
When the Sheik completed his business
dealings he spent the remainder of his visit shopping at superior and elegant
stores. On his final day in New York
The following evening all the trucks
returned to reload the myriad boxes and everything else the Sheik has purchased
during his stay, to transport them to the airport. As the boxes were being
loaded onto the Sheik’s private jet, airport security demanded to know the contents
of the boxes, fearing that they could be dangerous weapons or hazardous
materials. The Sheik allowed them to inspect his boxes.
The security personnel were surprised to
find that the boxes were filled with thousands of sinks of all shapes and sizes.
The Sheik proudly explained: “In my country we have many natural resources that
flow in abundance, especially oil. However, there is one important resource
that we are lacking, an adequate supply of water. That deficiency costs us
billions of dollars annually and is our only real limitation. But I see that
you Americans are truly brilliant. You have created these little mechanisms. All
one must do is turn the little faucet and an abundance of water instantly flows.
When I bring all these sinks back to my country I will become far richer and I
will be hailed as a national hero.”
The head of security bit his lip to stifle his
laughter. “Noble Sheik, I regret to tell you that I think you have made a
terrible error. The sinks themselves are absolutely worthless unless they are attached
to pipes that connect them to a source of fresh water. The sink itself is
merely a conduit that regulates the flow of water from the pipes. However, the
sinks themselves are no more valuable than a car without fuel. Without being
connected to anything your sinks will be worthless in your country.”
The Rabbi looked at the men sitting before
him. “Your well-intentioned efforts to boost your shul’s membership are somewhat
analogous to the Sheik. You have provided sinks but they are not connected to
anything. If you really want to be effective you must connect to the source,
i.e. the hearts and souls of your members. That is accomplished through
promoting and encouraging Torah study! If people feel connected to something
genuine, they will want to be associated with it, and will want their children
to participate as well. The programs that you have created are wonderful but
first you must ensure that your piping is strong.”
Someone once lamented to the Chofetz Chaim
that despite spending years engaged in Torah study, he did not feel successful
or proficient in his studies. The Chofetz Chaim replied that it is a common
misconception that people think it is incumbent upon them to become a leading
Talmudist and scholar. One’s job is to learn to the best of his ability. Success
in Torah is achieved when one learns to the best of his own ability, not to the
best of everyone else’s ability.
In the Shavuos prayers, we refer to the
holiday as “the time of the giving of the Torah to us.” In Parshas Emor, when the
Torah details the festivals of the year, Shavuos is described simply as ‘the
fiftieth day of the counting’[3]
and the day when a unique korban was offered[4].
It seems like the verse ‘forgot’ to mention that it is also the anniversary of
the day the Torah was given?
Kli Yakar explains that the Torah did not
wish to classify the holiday of Shavuos as a celebration of the day the Torah
was given, because one should view the Torah as new and exciting every day. One
who studies Torah with enthusiasm, devotion, and alacrity never grows weary of
its timeless words.
Shavuos is indeed the anniversary of the day
that the Torah was given to Klal Yisroel, but the verse explains it as a mere
holiday and day of holiness. The celebration of our acceptance of the Torah
cannot be limited to one day because one who truly loves Torah celebrates the Torah
on a higher level every day of his life. Shavuos is a celebration of the original
transmission of the Torah, which allows us to reaccept it every day.
Rav Shimshon Pinkus zt’l[5]
explained that faith in Hashem is acquired through engaging in Torah study.
Torah study has the ability to penetrate the barriers that surround one’s
heart.
This is most clearly demonstrated at kiruv
seminars. Many unaffiliated Jews arrive at the seminar apathetic and skeptical
at best. Yet, a scant three or four days later, their eyes and hearts have been
opened, and they are thirsting for more.
The motivating and captivating speakers who
grace such seminars, are not the ones who accomplish the incredible
transformations. Even the greatest power of persuasion can not convince
multitudes of people to drastically alter their lives so abruptly. Those
speakers are merely the conduit to pique the interest and engage their
audience. But once they have been successfully introduced to Torah and are
willing to listen, it is the Torah itself which penetrates the impenetrable
hearts, and melts away all barriers. Dedication to Torah breeds emunah
in Hashem and helps us feel connected.
Rav Aharon Kotler zt’l once quipped
that when we daven we speak to G-d, but when we learn Torah G-d speaks to
us!
The defining component in the life of a Jew
is his adherence to the Torah and its way of life. It is the ultimate pipeline
into the hearts and souls of every Jew.
“If you will follow in My Ways”
“For his love is greater than wine”
[5] Nefesh Shimshon – Emunah
____________________________________________________
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Behar-Bechukosai
23 Iyar 5773/May 3, 2013 – 38th day of the Omer
Pirkei Avos – perek 5
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to accompany my fifth grade Ashar class for a chesed visit to Friedwald Nursing Home. They were quite shocked when the administrator walked in to greet us and their rebbe kissed him on the cheek. What I neglected to tell my students was that the administrator of the Nursing Home is my father.
It’s always good to have ‘connections’. Often it’s more than just a convenience, as good connections can ‘open doors for you’. As the old adage goes “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” It’s true in regards to legal issues, preferential treatment, and being accepted into institutions (including yeshivos).
Rabbi Moshe Wolfson shlita (Service of the Heart, Artscroll) related a parable about a soldier, who had come from the battlefield, and was walking confidently towards the palace. When he was stopped by the palace guards, the soldier removed an official document from his pocket and handed it to the guard. As soon as the guard saw that the document was an official message from the king’s general to the king, he hurriedly opened the gates and allowed the soldier free passage. The same preferential treatment repeated itself a few times until the soldier stood before the king himself.
Rabbi Wolfson explained that we are like that soldier. We approach the gates of heaven each morning to utter our prayers before our King. But there are many gates guarded by ministering angels who seek to impede our imperfect prayers from ascending. Therefore at the beginning of Pesukei D’zimrah we invoke the name of Dovid Hamelech numerous times. As soon as we utter his name and proclaim that we have come to repeat his messages of love and devotion to his King, the gates of heaven swing open and our prayers are able to proceed.
This beautiful idea helps us appreciate the words we recite in Baruch She’amar, “And with the songs of Dovid, Your servant, we will praise, and we laud, and we will exult You…” Maintaining a mental image of a soldier standing at the gate helps us appreciate the greatness of every word of Tehillim.
We have serious connections. It would be a shame not to use them!
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
720 Union Road • New Hempstead, NY 10977 • (845) 362-2425
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