“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Shemini – Mevorchim Chodesh Iyar – Avos Perek 1
28 Nissan 5778/April 13,
2018
One of the responsibilities of the leaders of any institution
is to fundraise. It’s usually regarded as the most dreaded and arduous part of
the job. Yeshiva administrators and Roshei Yeshiva are very familiar with the
challenges of fundraising and are constantly looking for an innovative idea for
fundraising.
Just before Pesach, I suggested to a Rosh Yeshiva that on
Seder night, before beginning his own Seder, he should walk around his
community. At the moment when he sees through the window that a family is doing
yachatz, he should burst in and grab the afikomen before the children get to
it. If they ask him what right he has to enter he can point to the paragraph
they are about to recite in Ha Lachma Anya when they declare “whoever is hungry
let him come and eat”. He can then make his pitch about how hungry the students
in his Yeshiva are for funds so they can continue their studies. He should
conclude by telling the bewildered family his address where they can find him
when they are ready to eat the afikomen.
When they arrive to retrieve their afikomen he can discuss
the terms and how much they are willing to donate to the Yeshiva for it.
I thought it was a no-brainer, but he wasn’t keen on the
idea. No one appreciates genius these days.
Virtually every Haggadah questions the motive and meaning behind that warm and generous invitation for anyone who needs to join our Seder, when our Seder is already well underway and our front door is closed.
Some suggest that it is not an invitation to outsiders but a clarion call towards those already seated around the table.
Virtually every Haggadah questions the motive and meaning behind that warm and generous invitation for anyone who needs to join our Seder, when our Seder is already well underway and our front door is closed.
Some suggest that it is not an invitation to outsiders but a clarion call towards those already seated around the table.
We begin by noting that the matzah is the bread of affliction.
As the food of slaves, matzah symbolizes servitude and uncompromised loyalty.
Such subservience is not easy to attain, unless forced. When we were slaves in
Egypt, we had no choice but to fulfill our expected work quota. But as the
servants of Hashem we are afforded free-choice. We have the ability to live up
to our responsibilities and discover inner tranquility and happiness. Doing so
however, requires extortion in a never-ending quest for growth. The other
option is to assume the far easier path of convenience, which affords momentary
comfort but long-term regret.
If one realizes the value in the struggle and wants to
achieve greatness, that’s a good start, but it’s not enough. “Confidence is the
feeling you have until you realize the problem!”
What keeps a person going when faced with challenges? The
drive! The question is “how badly do you want it?”
This simple question is often mentioned in the world of
sports. Two teams are set to square off in an important game. Both have
tremendous talent and on paper are evenly matched. Sports commentators will
quip that the game will be won by whoever wants it more badly! It won’t be a
matter of talent as much as it will be a matter of drive, mental energy, and
passion.
L’havdil, the world of spiritual growth requires the same
passionate dedication. In a lecture I was privileged to hear from Rav Nosson
Tzvi Finkel zt’l, he recounted that someone once asked his rebbe, Rav Chaim
Shmulevitz zt’l how one can finish all of Shas. Rav Chaim replied “if you want
to finish Shas, you have to be sick over Shas.” In other words, it has to
consume you to such a degree that you never put aside that goal and continue to
pursue it constantly. If you have that level of desire than you’ll be able to
finish Shas, despite the challenge.
Perhaps that is part of the message of ha lachama anya.
First, we declare that matzah is the bread of affliction, symbolizing
subservience. Then we call out to ourselves and those at the table “who is
hungry? Who feels the need?” Only one who is hungry and pines to partake in
spiritual greatness will be willing to endure and consume the requisite bread
of affiliation.
That’s the message we convey as we begin the Seder. It’s not
just an ancient tale, but a contemporary story connected to our lives. We are
all confronted by our own Egypts and Pharaohs. Only those who really want to
persevere badly enough will get there. The indomitable and uncompromising will
is the key to the redemption.
We aren’t inviting outsiders to join our Seder. Rather, we
are inviting ourselves to be a part of the extraordinary story we are about to
tell!
Pesach concludes by leaving us in the throes of Sefiras
Haomer, anticipatorily gearing up for Shavuos and Kabbolas HaTorah. How much we
prepare and how ready we will be, all depends on how badly we want to
accomplish and grow.
It’s an incredible message, but unfortunately one that won’t
help with fundraising, except that maybe it’ll remind the fundraiser not to
give up...
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum