“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Balak
13 Tamuz 5784/ July 19, 2024
Pirkei Avos – Perek 6
FIRST THINGS FIRST
There are many beautiful daily Torah programs including Daf Yomi, Mishnah
Yomi, Tehillim Yomi, Nach Yomi among others. There is also a daily learning of
the Rambam’s Mishnah Torah Yomi.
Mishnah Torah was and is a monumental work. In Mishnah Torah, the Rambam
codifies the laws of every section of Torah, including halachos that will only
again apply when Moshiach comes and the Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt. (Contrast
that with the Shulchan Aruch who only includes laws that apply today in exile.)
Rambam Yomi was initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1984. There are
actually two cycles of Rambam Yomi. Some learn three chapters of Mishnah Torah
daily and complete the entire 14-volume work each year. Others learn one
chapter of Mishnah Torah daily and complete it every three years.
When the most recent cycle of one chapter of Rambam Yomi began, I was
inspired to begin. It has been a gratifying experience and thus far Hashem has
helped me stay up to date.
Recently, the one-chapter cycle of Mishnah Torah concluded Sefer Zera’im
about laws of agriculture and began Sefer Avodah about the structure of the
Beis Hamikdash and the Korbanos.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l wrote a monumental 4 volume commentary on the
Rambam’s Sefer Zera’im entitled Derech Emunah. It is structured and appears
like the Mishna Berura, except that instead of the Shulchan Aruch printed on
top of the page, the words of the Rambam appear at the top of the page. The
remaining various commentaries below were all written by Reb Chaim. It is a
masterful and unprecedented work that could only have been produced by someone
with an encyclopedic knowledge of all the relevant halachic opinions and laws.
Rav Chaim published a thin volume entitled Derech Chochmah on the
Rambam’s next section, Avodah. However, he never had the chance to complete it.
When asked why he never published subsequent volumes, Rav Chaim replied that he
was too busy responding to individual letters sent to him.
It’s well known that Rav Chaim was sent letters with questions regarding
all facets of halacha, hashkafa and general life advice. Rav Chaim would even
occasionally receive written questions from young boys regarding a simple
reading of a pasuk in Chumash. Yet Rav Chaim was insistent on replying to every
question, even those that could be answered by less prestigious personages than
himself.
Replying to the scores of letters sent to him daily sapped a great deal
of time and energy. Because of that Rav Chaim did not have the time to publish
the remainder of his commentary on the Rambam.
Rav Chaim was asked why he prioritized sending written responses to every
inquiry over writing a Sefer that could benefit the Jewish people for many
future generations. Rav Chaim replied that his first and foremost
responsibility is to his generation. It’s possible that a commentary of that
caliber on the remaining portions of the Rambam will never be produced. Still
Rav Chaim felt that replying even to the Chumash question of an eight-year-old
boy takes precedence.
Life throws a lot at us, and one must be able to prioritize in order to
stay afloat. If one tries to do everything, he will likely end up doing nothing
well.
A few years ago, before going to visit Eretz Yisroel, a rebbe of mine
gave me a piece of advice. He explained that one can spend a whole visit to
Eretz Yisroel engaged in wonderful things, yet not learn a word of Torah. He
cautioned me that if I wanted to ensure that I not be derelict in my personal
Torah learning while there, I had to prioritize it. Davening at kevarim,
meeting and receiving berachos from tzaddikim, and seeing our heritage come to
life visiting the land, are beautiful and invaluable experiences. But one must
ensure that he not disregard his most important daily responsibilities as well.
This is a vital concept regarding parenting as well. There are numerous
beautiful and necessary opportunities to help Am Yisroel. But one must always
prioritize and balance his first and foremost obligation to his own family
within his own home. At times, we are genuinely unsure what our priority should
be, and for that we need to have Rebbeim and mentors who can help guide us in
those situations.
During the last few months, I’ve learned the daily Rambam with Rav
Chaim’s brilliant commentary, and it has helped me greatly. I will definitely
miss it when the daily cycle extends beyond the final volume that Rav Chaim
published. But whenever I miss it, it will remind me of the important lesson
Rav Chaim taught about knowing one’s priorities.
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Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos, R’ Dani and Chani Staum |