“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos
Kodesh parshas Ha’azinu - Succos
12 Tishrei
5783/October 7, 2022
OUT OF VIEW
Everybody knows the apocryphal story
about the rabbi who loved golf so much that he decided to sneak out of shul to
play a few rounds on Yom Kippur afternoon. To his utter delight, at every hole
he scored a hole in one. Not only was it his best game ever, but it was also
the best game of golf ever.
The angels in heaven were shocked. Is
this the reward that a rabbinic sinner deserves? But they soon realized the
incredible wisdom of the rabbi’s stellar performance. For the rabbi couldn’t
tell anyone in the world about his incredible feat.
I’ve often wondered if a woman sets
her table beautifully for Yom Tov or makes a particular fancy meal or dish, but
doesn’t post a picture of it on her status or social media, has she fulfilled
her obligation? Does it count for anything if it wasn’t publicized?
The prophet Michah famously exhorts
us, “And you shall go modestly with your G-d.” Modesty is not limited to a mode
of dress, but more profoundly it’s about an attitude and mindset. To be modest
means to be inward focused, to act in accordance with one’s values without
always seeking the approval or attention of others.
In society people love to post their
lives on social media. Often people are looking for validation, adulation and
attention. But external validation leaves a person feeling somewhat empty and
unfulfilled.
There is another dimension to the
idea of modesty. When something is special, we keep it private, not because we
are ashamed of it but because it’s unique and precious. Halacha prohibits
spouses from show affection for each other in public. Part of the reason is,
not because doing so is shameful, but because it’s special to them and must
remain so. It’s no one else’s business.
There is a specialness in privacy and
when something is exclusive and hidden.
In his famous lecture, “Ten steps to
greatness” Rabbi Avigdor Miller suggests that every day one should do one act
of chesed - even a small one - that no one in the world knows about, except
Hashem. Such an act is performed with true modesty and integrity.
The Navi relates that after a great
miracle occurred to Chizkiyahu Hamelech, the Babylonian King was so impressed
that he sent letters and a gift to Chizkiyahu. When the envoy of the Babylonian
King arrived, Chizkiyahu wanted to impress them, and he showed them his
treasure house and many other invaluable artifacts. Rashi writes that
Chizkiyahu even showed them the holy Aron, luchos and sefer Torah (Melachim II
20:13).
The prophet Yeshaya then informed
Chizkiyahu that because he had pridefully shown the Babylonians the Jewish
People’s treasures, those treasures would eventually be looted by the
Babylonians following the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash.
Our greatest treasures aren’t meant
to be flaunted or exposed. They retain their uniqueness specifically by
remaining hidden and private.
On Yom Kippur we reach deep within
ourselves and connect with our Creator in the deepest and most private recesses
of our being. We state in the viduy recited on Yom Kippur that Hashem “probes
all innermost thoughts and minds and hearts.” In those deeply private chambers
of our soul, we seek divine connection.
That follows with the holiday of
Succos. The sanctity of the succah is primarily the result of having valid
schach above. However, there must also be walls (at least two and part of a
third) beneath the schach in order for the succah to be valid.
The holiness of the succah is
personal and modest. It is the result of our creating a private place, cordoned
off and designated for the sole purpose of living under the shade of G-d.
It’s the things we do, feel, and
think that no one else knows about that is most connected with our core
essence. During the month of Tishrei we turn inward to get in touch with who we
really are. Our job then becomes to maintain that awareness after the great
holidays have ended, and not allow it all to get lost in the ostentatious
externalities that surround us.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Freilichen Yom Tov & Chag Sameiach,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum