“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Bo
5 Shevat 5780/January 31, 2020
ETERNAL ROYALTY
It’s a
fascinating story. Prince Harry, a member of the English royal family, and his
wife, Duchess of Sussex, have informed his grandmother the Queen, and the world
at large, that they no longer wish to perform their royal duties.
As a
student of Rabbi Berel Wein, the story immediately brought to mind an incident
recorded in Sefer Yechezkel (chapter 20) that Rabbi Wein often recounts. The destruction
of the first Bais Hamikdash brought shocking devastation to the Jewish people.
It wasn’t only what occurred, it was the very fact that it had occurred. Many
Jews felt that it was over. They had a “good run” as the Chosen People for a millennium,
but at that point they felt their ‘chosenness’ had expired. G-d had destroyed
the Bais Hamikdash and exiled them, and now “the House of Israel is like all
other nations.” The prophet conveys G-d’s strong and unequivocal response: “As
for what enters your minds - it shall not be!... I will rule over you with a
strong hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath...”
Essentially,
G-d informed the nation that there was no escaping their distinction and
greatness. Being a holy nation and a kingdom of priests was their mission and
destiny.
Shortly
before Rosh Hashana this year, our yeshiva, Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ,
celebrated a very special event. During the summer, over thirty students
reviewed the masechta of gemara that they learned in Yeshiva the previous year.
The yeshiva hosted a joint Siyum for the entire yeshiva, its parent body, and
friends. The students being mesayem sat upon a dais in front of the room.
It was a
memorable and special evening, which included a catered meal and singing and dancing.
We were also graced with the presence of noted rabbinic personalities. One of
those distinguished personalities was Rabbi Yeruchom Olshin shlita, one of the
Roshei Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ.
When he
addressed the assemblage, he began by lauding the worthy accomplishment of the
mesaymim who had chosen to review their learning during their summer break. He
quoted the words of the Rambam who says one who wants to merit the כתר
תורה - crown of Torah must learn
Torah every night. Most people relax at night and unwind from the pressures of
the day. One who uses that time to engage in Torah study is worthy of the crown
of Torah. Therefore, the students who had chosen to learn and review during
summer break, a time of leisure and relaxation, had surely achieved כתר
תורה as well.
Then
Rabbi Olshin announced that he wished to say a few words to the rest of the
students, those who were not making a Siyum that night.
He
related a story about Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the renown nineteenth century Torah
leader. Rabbi Akiva Eiger’s Talmudic questions are legendary in the hallowed
halls of gemara study. Rabbi Akiva Eiger has incredible clarity and his
questions are sharp and brilliant. Scholars pride themselves on offering
resolutions to his questions.
On one
occasion, Rabbi Akiva Eiger was bothered by one such question. He pondered and
struggled for three days until he excitedly discovered an answer to his
question.
That
same day he was invited to visit a class of Talmudic students to “speak to them
in learning”. When Rabbi Akiva Eiger arrived there, he decided to pose the
question he had just discovered an answer for. He did not expect any of the
students to have a resolution, but he reasoned that it would be a good way to
initiate a discussion.
However,
as soon as he mentioned the question, the hand of one student shot up. That
student proceeded to rattle off the exact answer that Rabbi Akiva Eiger had
labored three days to discover.
When he
heard the answer, Rabbi Akiva Eiger was beaming with joy. But then, a moment
later, the Rabbi’s countenance literally dropped, and he seemed pale and very
upset. He quickly composed himself and continued the discussion.
When
they were on their way home, those accompanying him asked Rabbi Akiva Eiger
what had occurred. He replied that when that student had immediately offered
that answer so effortlessly, he became very excited. There was no doubt that
this student was a future Torah leader. But then, when Rabbi Akiva Eiger looked
at that student’s face, he didn’t see a trace of emotion. The student who had
just answered the Talmudic question of the greatest Rabbi of his time, did not
have a trace of joy or excitement. Rabbi Akiva Eiger explained “when I saw that
he did not feel elevated or joyous about the Torah he had just shared, I realized
there was no way he would become a future Torah leader of the Jewish people.
That’s why I looked so distressed. We are losing a Torah leader because he has
no joy in his Torah study!”
Rabbi
Olshin conveyed to the assemblage that every person must feel a sense of joy
and happiness in whatever levels of Torah he has learned. Even if he is not yet
ready to complete masechtos and make siyumim, he must be joyful over whatever
he has accomplished.
It is not enough to learn Torah. One must also celebrate
his personal connection and portion of Torah, whatever and however much that
may be. That is the meaning of the words we recite each morning “Praised are
we, how good is our portion, how sweet is our lot, and how beautiful is our
inheritance. Praised are we that we wake up early and remain into the nights,
night and morning, and recite twice every day: Shema Yisroel...”
Chazal
(based on Gittin 62a) state מאן מלכי רבנן
- who are the true kings? The rabbis! Those who engage in Torah study and live
a Torah life, are true royalty. But they can only celebrate that royalty if
they recognize and appreciate it.
Being a
member of the royal family has many responsibilities and expectations that
non-royalty doesn’t have. Why would anyone want those extra restrictions and
expectations? Because they recognize the privilege, uniqueness, responsibility,
and opportunity of being part of leadership and royalty. But if they are unable
to recognize the privilege and uniqueness of their royalty, and only experience
the annoyance of those expectations, then it’s not so hard to understand why
they would want to escape that life to live like a commoner.
A few
weeks ago, the Torah world celebrated the Siyum Hashas of Daf Yomi. But even
those who did actually make a siyum must share the simcha based on their own
personal connection and accomplishment to Torah. That feeling of pride is vital
and they are entitled to it.
It is
not easy being a Torah Jew. But there is no greater honor, fulfillment, and
royalty than living such a life. Our arduous task is to help every one of our
children, neighbors and friends realize the extreme privilege they have to be
part of this unique nation of ultimate royalty. They must understand that they
are vital to our cause, and we are incomplete without them. The greatest danger
is when one doesn’t recognize that he is special and needed.
They
need not be Rabbi Akiva Eiger to celebrate their portion in Torah. Every pasuk,
every Mishna and every line of gemara; every mitzvah, every chesed, and every
word of tefilla - make us part of the royal family.
There is
no greater “highness”.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum