“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas
Vayigash
4 Teves 5778/December 22,
2017
As I was preparing the wicks and oil for the menorah during
one of the mornings of Chanukah, our four-year-old son, Dovid, commented that
he would like to light with oil too. I replied that when he becomes an Abba,
he’ll light with oil. He replied emphatically, “I don’t want to be an Abba; I
want to be a superhero!” I asked him why he was so sure that I wasn’t a
superhero besides being an Abba. He looked at me quizzically, and then wisely
decided not to reply.
That conversation led me to think about what makes someone a
superhero. Is it about wearing clothing that’s three sizes too small and seems
to be glued onto the superhero’s body? After eight days of consuming latkes and
donuts, my pants are definitely starting to feel that way.
If a superhero is defined by having superhuman and unnatural
abilities, then I would venture to say that not only am I not a superhero, but
that genre of superheroes is about as real as the tooth-fairy. (If you still
believe in the tooth-fairy, then don’t discard your delusions of Superman being
able to fly and having x-ray vision either).
But perhaps a superhero isn’t about having unnatural
abilities, as much as it is about pushing oneself beyond normal limits. Maybe
it’s not about being born gifted, as much as it is about living one’s life as
if he’s a gift for others!
If that’s the case, then, although there aren’t many, we do
have some superheroes around, who we can emulate and aspire to be like.
Last week, the Jewish people lost a superhero. Rav Aharon
Yehuda Leib Shteinman zt’l lived a physically meager, yet highly spiritually
enriched life. He sought no honor or accolades, in fact he disparaged them, and
requested in his will that none be accorded him after his passing. He had no
desire for money or physical comfort, yet found immense joy in Torah study and
serving Hashem. His door was open to the hundreds and thousands who sought his
advice and blessing, and he never took a penny for that selfless service.
He may not have flown over the city fighting crime by beating
up bad guys, but he sure soared above the world, spreading light and love, by
building thousands of good guys.
The truth is that we don’t have to be Rav Shteinman to be
heroes. The more selflessly we act for the betterment of others, the more we
became a greater superhero.
The Torah relates that performing the mitzvah of caring for
the dead (ritually purifying the body, and ensuring proper burial according to
Halacha) is called “kindness of truth”. This is because it is an absolutely
thankless job. When it’s completed, the recipients of this arduous mitzvah are
unable to express their immense gratitude for the kindness performed for them.
The members of this holy group (aptly called the “Chevra Kadisha”) are on call
at all times, and perform their holy work modestly and completely out of the
limelight.
Are they not true superheroes?!
Those who build others selflessly are the ones who keep our
world going. This includes our educators and, in fact, every parent who is
there for his/her children at all hours of the day or night, for anything they
might need. The fact that parents are partially responsible for their children
coming into the world does not minimize the heroics they display in caring and
loving them constantly.
So, Dovid, aside for the fact that at the present moment I am
wearing clothing that may be too tight (let the post-Chanukah diet begin!), I
strive to be your superhero (second only to your super-mommy), and you are one
of my super Chanukah gifts!
I daven, and am confident, that when the time comes that you
are an Abba and lighting Chanukah candles with oil, you too will be the
superhero for your children.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum