“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Re’eh
30 Menachem Av 5775/ August
15, 2015
1 Rosh Chodesh Elul
Pirkei Avos Perek 5
A few weeks back I spoke in Shul about the greatness and
significance of the mitzvah of tzitzis. I quoted Chazal who state that
fulfilling the mitzvah of tzitzis is equivalent to fulfilling all of the other
613 mitzvos. I spoke about the symbolism of the mitzvah as a Jew binds himself
to G-d, much as the tzitzis are tied but hang freely. I also noted that it is
foolish for a man to pass up on this tremendous mitzvah. One dons them on in
the morning and then forgets about them, while the reward accrues.
While I was delivering my brilliant lecture I noticed two
congregants laughing amongst themselves. In ‘rabbi school’ they teach you to
pretend not to notice disturbances in the crowd, such as the fellow reading the
paper during the sermon, the guy snoring right in front of you, or the person grunting
in obvious disagreement with the point you are conveying. So I pretended not to
notice and I carried on.
After davening, one of the two related to me the undertone
conversation that had evoked their laughter during my speech. As I was speaking
‘Reuven’ had turned to ‘Shimon’ and noted that he had forgotten to put on his
tzitzis that morning. He added that he often forgets.
Shimon then noticed a red string wrapped around Reuven's
wrist and asked what it was for. Reuven replied that it is a segula
(propitious omen) for protection. At that point Reuven realized the incongruity
of his own statement and they both began to laugh. One who wears a red string
which may possibly having some significance (or may be a meaningless ritual
that only the distributors make money on) but not tzitzis which are mentioned
in the Torah, is quite remiss. The Gemara states that one who is wary to
fulfill the mitzvah of tzitzis properly will merit seeing the Divine Presence.
One who wears a red string however will only merit to be wearing a red string.
We like convenience. In fact our world is driven by it. High
speed internet and sophisticated toys and attractions are today expected.
So it comes as no shock that we look for segulos and
"easy blessings". Saying a certain catenation, following a certain
ritual, going to a certain exotic location and doing some defined unusual
kabbalistic (or not) heebie-jeebie stuff is a very alluring to us.
Rabbi Zev Leff wryly notes that at Kabbolas HaTorah[1],
Hashem proclaimed us to be His "Am Segulah- treasured nation",
but instead we have become an "am segulos" a nation that looks
for easy propitious omens. And how many charlatans take advantage of those in
desperate situations by offering them false promises in exchange for money!
The truth is that there
are no shortcuts when it comes to spirituality and divine blessings. If we want
to merit greatness we have to be ready to roll up our sleeves and prepare
ourselves to grow and elevate ourselves. Then we can merit true blessings as
promised by Hashem in the Torah itself.[2]
Good Chodesh
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum