“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Metzora
4 Nissan 5774/April 4, 2014
Every Wednesday morning
when I walk out of my home they’re waiting for me on my driveway: that week’s
Hamodia and Jewish Press. Recently, my in laws gave us a gift and we also
receive the Yated on Thursday mornings. So it seemed odd three weeks ago when we
didn’t receive any of the usual deliveries. I figured it was just a fluke and
so I bought the papers in the store and let it go. But when it happened again
the following week I called all three papers. They were quick to reassure me
that they would credit me and contact the delivery company. But last week to
our chagrin, again no paper! It seems that 3 Landau Lane
There are many things
in life which we take for granted. We proverbially open our door and expect things
to be there waiting for us, because they always are there. We forget that there
are no guarantees in life, and sometimes G-d wants us to invest some effort.
When I finish
delivering my derasha each Shabbos morning, I return to my shtender and wait for
the chazzan to begin Mussaf. On more than one occasion, I returned to my place
and awaited the chazzan’s commencement of kaddish, but heard nothing. After a
few seconds I realized that I was in fact the chazzan (on one occasion that
gabbai had to tap me to remind me). In that scenario waiting patiently wouldn’t
get me anywhere. I was the one who had to make it happen, and until I took a
step forward nothing was going to happen.
Chazal relate that 80%
of the Jewish People never left Egypt Egypt
In truth, it is
understandable why there were so many who didn’t want to leave. At that point
the bitter servitude had ended months earlier. The Jews had become prosperous
and could learn about their faith and establish Houses of Learning unopposed.
Why should they subject their families to the uncertainties and perils of the
open desert? Why not remain in Egypt
That may have seemed
logical, but those who thought along those lines could not be those who would
accept the Torah at Sinai. One cannot wait for Torah to be delivered to his
door in a neat little package. If one wants to truly embrace Torah he must be
ready to sacrifice for it.
Shlomo Hamelech
(Mishlei 2:4-5) wrote: “If you will seek it as you seek money, and search for
it as you search for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of
Hashem, and discover the knowledge of G-d.” The Chofetz Chaim commented that
when one pursues his livelihood, he is not deterred by cold weather or lengthy
hours, because he knows it is par for the course. If one wants to achieve
greatness in spiritual matters he needs to maintain that same attitude.
In conclusion I must
mention that now that I had what to write about this week, I’m happy to report
that the weekly newspapers were lying on the driveway this morning.
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
R’
Dani and Chani Staum