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D'Var Torah - Parshas Chukas - 5762
"Listen now, O Rebels..." (Num 20:10) Moshe was
punished for referring to the Children of Israel as Rebels. Even though they
were rebelling at the time, they should not have been perceived as rebels.
The Torah expects us to love each other, see the good in each other and
perceive each other as good. We must see and understand things from the other
person's point of view as the following true story illustrates:
Once, a burly, gruff looking, man who had served in
the Russian army, entered a Jewish Inn and ordered a meal. When Jewish boys
were drafted, it was usually the end of yiddishkeit for them. The army
brainwashed them to worship Mother Russia rather than G-d. He plopped himself
down and ate in a most disgusting manner - stuffing an entire chicken down
his mouth. It was revolting that this man, a Jew, could conduct himself in so
repulsive a manner, not to mention the fact that he did not recite a bracha
(blessing) or wear a yarmulke (ritual skullcap) while he ate. The innkeeper
and the others present were sickened and embarrassed by this display; though
none dared say anything.
The Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan) happened
to be a guest at that Inn. He saw the young man and slowly approached him.
Everyone wondered, what would the Chofetz Chaim possibly say to this man.
What could he say? Surely this oaf would not listen to any rebuke, even from
such a holy man.
The Choftez Chaim asked the man, "Is it true that you
served in the Russian army?"
"Yes," snorted the man, bracing his defenses for the
oncoming tongue-lashing he was fully expecting.
"Tell me," began the Chofetz Chaim, "How did you
manage to keep your Jewish identity in those circumstances? So many Jewish
boys entered the army, only to eventually give up their Judaism. They are
forced to serve for 25 years without any kosher food, Jewish holidays, or any
other vestige of Judaism. Yet, when you could have easily gone to any Inn,
you chose a Jewish one. You still identify as a Jew. I don't know if I could
have done what you did. You are an inspiration. Where did you find the
strength?"
The soldier, caught off guard and clearly moved,
looked straight at the Chofetz Chaim, "It was so hard, they did everything
to pound it out of us - to make us denounce and forget that we were Jews."
"It is a miracle that you made it through. Now you
can begin to learn the Torah and mitzvos that you were deprived of all these
years."
"But Rebbi, how can I possibly do that," the soldier,
now sobbing bitterly, responded. He continued through his tears, "I want to
return to my heritage, but I am so far removed. Surely it isn't possible for
someone like me to learn."
"No," said the Chofetz Chaim, "It is still possible.
It is always possible. I can show you how."
As the soldier spoke to the Chofetz Chaim, the stones
on his heart began to melt. Had the Chofetz Chaim not understood and
appreciated this man's perspective, this amazing episode never would have
occurred. What did happen was: from that day on, the former soldier began a
path to repentance and as the years went by, developed into an observant,
well learned Jew. (Heard from Rabbi Shimon Zehnwirth,
Torah HS of San Diego.)
D'Var Torah - Parshas Chukas -5761
For centuries, the Torah has been passed down with love from generation
to generation. The Rosh Yeshiva related a Zohar which states that Torah must be
transmitted with love in order to be effective, because the essence of Torah is
love. Great lessons can be learned through a loving bond, as the following
beautiful poem illustrates:
ALL I GOT WAS WORDS
When I was young and
fancy free My folks had no fine clothes for me. All I got was words.
Gott tsu danken. (Thank G-d.) Gott vet geben (G-d will provide.) Zol
men nor leben un gezunt zein. (May we only live and be healthy.)
When I began to travel far They couldn't provide me with a car.
All I got was words. Gey gezuntareid (Go in good health.) Gey
pamelach (Go slowly.) Hob ah glickliche reize. (Have a successful trip.)
I wanted to increase my knowledge But they couldn't afford to send
me to college. All I got was words. Hob seichel (have good sense.)
Zei nisht kein nar (Do not be a fool.) Torah iz de beste schoireh
(Torah is the best merchandise.)
The years have flown, the world has
turned Things I've forgotten, things I've learned. Yet still I
remember, Zog dem emmes (Tell the truth.) Geb tzedakah (Give charity.)
Hobt rachmonus (Have compassion.) Zei ah mentsch (Be a mentsch.) ALL
I GOT WAS WORDS
PITY THOSE WHO NEVER GOT THE WORDS
Poem submitted by Ted & Nechama Goodman.
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