“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Bereishis
Mevorchim Chodesh Cheshvan
21 Tishrei 5783/October 13, 2023
FOR HIM
I don’t remember the last time I was able to so relate to a powerful
story I heard, in a manner I never could have imagined.
I was asked to share divrei Torah in my neighborhood Shul before hakafos
on Simchas Torah evening.
As I was walking to the bimah to begin speaking, I was told that we would
be saying Tehillim first. At the time I had no idea why.
The wife of one of the Shul’s board members is a Physician’s Assistant
and keeps her phone on in case she is called with a medical emergency. On
Shmini Atzeres afternoon, her phone had been buzzing incessantly. Although they
couldn’t see anything more than flashing headlines, it was enough for them to
realize that there was a serious terrorist attack in Eretz Yisroel. After we
said Tehillim, he informed me of the developments.
With two of our children in Yerushalayim, it was quite unnerving to say
the least. We also have many family members living in various communities
throughout the country, and many students and friends in various yeshivos
there. That’s aside for the fact that, like every Jew, my heart is with Klal
Yisroel, particularly in Eretz Yisroel.
As I stood by the bimah and the assemblage waited for me to begin
speaking, I had a strong urge to apologize and say that I was unable to
proceed. But I knew that would be demoralizing and disheartening. So instead, I
said a silent prayer asking Hashem for the strength and guidance to say the
right thing.
I also thought about the story I had heard a day earlier.
As I have done the last few years, during Chol Hamoed Succos, I had the
great zechus to facilitate a beautiful learning program called Greater
Adventure. Each Chol Hamoed morning, after a 45-minute learning session, we
heard divrei chizuk from an esteemed Rav in our community. That was followed by
an exciting raffle with many great prizes.
On Hoshanah Rabbah morning, the grand finale, our speaker was Rabbi Daniel
Coren, a noted lecturer in the Monsey community (who also has many shiurim
posted on Torahanytime). He related the following story:
“About thirty years ago I was the mashgiach in a Jewish owned old-age
home in Riverdale.
“One year on Simchas Torah I was together with ten elderly men in
wheelchairs from the home, helping facilitate hakafos “dancing”. They took
turns holding a Sefer of Nevi’im (used to read haftorah) because it’s smaller
and lighter than a Sefer Torah.
“One of the residents, Mendel Steinberg, was an Auschwitz survivor. At
one point during the dancing, Mendel shared a recollection from his days in
Auschwitz. “One miserable day, they were sitting together in the barracks, when
suddenly one of their fellow inmates got up and started dancing. They looked at
him like he fell off the moon, but he told them that it was Simchas Torah. When
they retorted that even on Simchas Torah, one cannot dance in Auschwitz, he
ignored their rationalizations and continued dancing. “Eventually, people
started joining in, until a large circle had formed. They sang together the
famous niggun to the words, “Utzu eitzah v’sufar dabru davar v’lo yakum ki
imanu e-l - They (our enemies) make plans that are annulled, they
speak words that never come to fruition, because G-d is with us.”[1]
“The Nazi guards heard the spirited singing and burst in. But when they
saw what was happening, they didn’t know what to make of the inmates’
unbreakable devotion and they turned around and left. Mendel said it was the
most emotional Simchas Torah he ever had.
“My friend, Rav Shmuel Stauber z”l, worked with me at that old aged home.
After I was no longer employed in that nursing home, Rabbi Stauber related to
me that when he was informed that Mendel was very ill he went to visit him.
When he arrived at Mendel’s room, the attending nurse told him that Mendel was
in a coma, and it was clear that he didn’t have much time left. It was a waste
of time to even visit.
“Despite her words, Rabbi Stauber walked over to Mendel, leaned close to
Mendel’s ear and began to sing, “Utzu eitzah v’sufar dabru davar v’lo yakum
ki imanu e-l”. As he sang, Rabbi Stauber saw a tear trickle down Mendel’s
cheek. Mendel passed away a few minutes later.
“I often think about Mendel on Simchas Torah and that helps me dance more
enthusiastically.”
Rabbi Coren concluded by quoting the Satmar Rebbe who noted that the
word rikud - dance has the same letters as the word meraked -
to sift (one of the 39 forbidden melachos on Shabbos). When one dances with
energy and excitement, he sifts negativity from within himself. By exuberantly
demonstrating his desire for spiritual connection and growth he breaks through
spiritual blockages within himself.
As I stood at the bimah on Simchas Torah, I was encouraged by the thought
of a Mendel’s fellow inmate in Auschwitz dancing despite his surroundings.
After I proceeded to share some thoughts about the significance of
Simchas Torah, I noted that we were about to dance for the honor of Hashem and
His Torah. Therefore, it was incumbent upon us to display joy, even if we
weren’t feeling it.
Like many others, this past Simchas Torah was by far the most difficult
Simchas Torah of my life. But I tried to bear my own words in mind, and I
continued to dance in the circle. I ignored the deep pit in my stomach and
pushed myself to keep dancing, knowing it was a zechus for Klal Yisroel,
particularly at that time. We don’t dance for our own gratification, but for
the honor of the heart and soul of our people.
During our hakafos on Simchas Torah we made sure to sing Utzu eitzah as
well.
Mendel’s message, eloquently shared by Rabbi Coren, must resound loudly
in our ears and souls. Our enemies hurt us terribly and caused us untold
anguish and pain. Yet, we know we will ultimately prevail, “Ki imanu e-l -
For G-d is with us.”
May Hashem comfort Klal Yisroel. May all our captives and
soldiers return home in peace and serenity and may we merit great salvations
for our holy people.
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani
and Chani Staum