Rav Sternbuch

Abomination Brings Annihilation Standing up to the Challenges of Our Times By Rav Moshe Shternbuch The following was written by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis based on a shiur given by Rav Moshe Shternbuch, Rosh Av Beis Din of the Eidah Hachareidis of Yerushalayim, leil Parshas Shelach, in Beis Knesses HaGra in Har Nof. NATURAL MEANS Klal Yisroel lived with constant miracles in the midbar. Every morning they woke up to find that enough food for the entire day descended from the Heavens. At night, the amud ha’eish lit up their way, and during the day they were guided by the amud ha’anan. With all of these miracles, Hashem sufficiently proved to the Jewish people that He was more than qualified to take care of all of their needs. Under such conditions, it is hard to comprehend how Klal Yisroel could have any doubts about whether Hashem could bring them into Eretz Yisroel. Why, then, were the meraglim sent and what were they looking for? After forty days in Eretz Yisroel, the meraglim came back and reported that they would not be able to capture the land. While this is difficult to comprehend, even more shocking is that the Sanhedrin voted on this matter and sided with the meraglim. After all of the miracles that they experienced, how could they have even had the slightest doubt? After experiencing miracles, we cannot continue to go about our lives as if nothing has changed. When we witness Hashem changing the order of nature with our own eyes, we are obligated to respond and raise our level of awareness of His Prescience. For this reason, living with miracles daily was an extremely difficult challenge for the generation of the midbar. Although the meraglim and the Sanhedrin realized that Hashem was capable of miraculously conquering Eretz Yisroel, they wanted to take the land via natural means, making use of tevah. This would relieve them of their obligation of maintaining the lofty level needed to be worthy of constant miracles. Considering the circumstances, the meraglim felt that conquest campaign orchestrated by human beings was doomed to failure, and the Sanhedrin confirmed this. If Hashem shows Klal Yisroel miracles, it means that He knows that we are capable of living with a constant awareness of His Presence. Choosing to live by natural means is an outright rejection of His will and can arouse Divine wrath. Instead of being the beginning of their conquest of Eretz Yisroel, the return of the meraglim on Tisha B’Av turned into a day of great tragedy for the Jewish people.

ing his strengths to serve Hashem is succeeding. To think otherwise is to distort the worthy trait of humility. While the meraglim were in Eretz Yisroel, they heard the inhabitants saying that they saw ants that looked like people. To this description, the meraglim commented, “…and so we were in our eyes.” This warped humility led them to bring about a catastrophe whose after-effects have plagued the Jewish People ever since. A RECIPE FOR DESTRUCTION We can never fully fathom why millions of Jews were murdered, tortured, gassed and burnt alive at the hands of a brutal enemy during World War II. But one terrifying point is clear: The Holocaust teaches us that when Hashem’s wrath is aroused, there is no limit to the devastation that can result. We are seemingly facing a similar threat today. Iran is working at a fast pace to achieve the technology needed to produce nuclear weapons. Whoever the leader of the country may be, the fact remains clear that they desire our destruction. Yet, we have nothing to fear from Iran or any other threats that are hurled at us. As in the times of the

meraglim, we already have ample proof that Hashem takes care of us when we find favor in His eyes. Divine wrath can bring harsh treatment, but Hashem’s favor can bring us miracles greater than we have ever experienced. Our real fear must be the atrocity that is scheduled to take place. Gimmel Tammuz, in only a week’s time, a detestable parade is planned on the streets of the Holy City of Yerushalayim. Right here, in the palace of the King, they plan to flaunt the greatest abominations known to mankind. This parade is our greatest danger. Seeing Klal Yisroel quiet while such an abomination is taking place may well inflame Divine anger and could have terrible ramifications. Then we will truly have something to fear. A note of caution: Burning garbage bins, smashing traffic lights and other destruction of city property does not aid the cause and is a desecration of Hashem’s name. This seeming religious zeal is childish behavior from individuals looking for an excuse to have what they consider a good time. Jews living outside of Eretz Yisroel should not think that this event will not have a direct impact on their lives. Chazal tell us, “When the mistress is afflicted, the maidservant will surely suffer.” All bracha flows down into the world via Eretz Yisroel, and if an abomination takes place in the Holy Land, it will surely make itself felt across the globe. Anyone who can do anything that could really assist to (Continued on page 52)

IMPROPER HUMILITY Before sending Hoshea ben Nun to spy Eretz Yisroel, Moshe Rabbeinu changed his name to Yehoshua. Yonasen ben Uziel reveals that Hoshea had an improper trait of humility, an attribute that could lead him to accept the advice of the other meraglim. Changing his name affected his personality and allowed him to overcome this flaw. While humility is a praiseworthy characteristic, this attribute can be dangerous when it develops unchecked. A Jew has to elevate himself to reach the highest level he can, and to disregard feelings of inadequacy which might inhibit him from achieving this. In this way, he will have true hatzlacha. For this reason, mashagichim in yeshivos should try and identify each bochur’s strengths and encourage him to use them to reach greatness. Memory, drive and diligence are all traits which, when channeled correctly, can take a person very far. But if a person is weak in one or more of these areas, he should not feel down on himself. Some bochurim and avreichim don’t feel that they are achieving their definition of “success” and, as a result, sink into despair. But, in truth, anyone who is us27 Sivan 5769 • June 19 2009

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Split the Pot

OLAM HAMIDDOS

Veshinantom Levanecha By Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum Waterbury, Connecticut I would venture to say that the two most vital ingredients in any relationship are kavod and ahava. Last week, we focused on the obligation and power of treating talmidim with kavod. This week let us discuss the significance of ahava. The Rambam writes (Hilchos Talmud Torah 5:12) that one must love his talmidim, for they are the children who benefit him in this world and in the next world. We see from the Rambam that a rebbi who truly cares about his talmidim should not be a phenomenon; it should be standard procedure. “Veshinantom levanecha - You shall teach them to your children” (Devarim 6:7). The Torah is conveying to us that the role of a rebbi is not just to be a teacher, but to be a parent. A rebbi must assume responsibility for the talmid’s overall wellbeing, far beyond academic achievement. I know of one bochur from a broken home who bemoaned the fact that not one of his rabbeim (who were aware of his situation) ever approached him as to how he was managing. How much chizuk he would have derived from just one gentle inquiry, let alone a Shabbos invitation! I know of a tremendous talmid chochom, a bais medrash rebbi, who had a talmid who was unusually shy. The rebbi would take the talmid shopping with him and force him to talk to the workers in order to help him overcome his shyness. I know of another situation in which a talmid had an anxiety disorder, which was not being addressed. His rebbi, after realizing that it was beyond his ability to help him alone, sent him to a social worker and arranged his

Everybody Needs A Rebbi (Continued from page 46) These are some of the lessons I learned from my rebbi, and that is my advice to you. Seek out a rebbi for yourself, because everybody needs a rebbi. As I left Rav Kviat’s hospital room, he motioned that I should come closer to him. As I came close, he whispered to me something that I will never forget. He said, “Binyomin, you have good ideas. You have to do them” I left the room in awe. Here he was, giving me chizuk from his hospital bed. I realized that Rav Kviat was teaching me another lesson: Once a rebbi, always a rebbi. A rebbi never stops helping his talmid, no matter what, no matter how. ••••• Rabbi Pruzansky is the author of the newly released “Stories That Tug At The Heart” published by ArtScroll/Mesorah. He can be reached via email at [email protected].

Staying Strong (Continued from page 51) affect Yaakov’s honesty. Yaakov retained his integrity even under such dire conditions. Kalev visited the kivrei avos to ascertain how to overcome external pressures. The avos had mastered this art, and his visit to them would arm him with the ability to avoid falling into the trap to which the rest of the meraglim succumbed. If we attach ourselves to the behavior of the avos and follow their advice, we, too, will survive life’s trials and tribulations. Page 52

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payments. Now, boruch Hashem, the bochur is emotionally healthy and happily married. A rebbi or morah should make it their business to know their talmidim - their family situation, their struggles, their strengths and their weaknesses. They must be concerned not only with the ruchniyus of their talmidim, but with their gashmiyus as well. In reality, the two are interconnected. Imagine a person encouraging his friend to run without noticing that his feet are bound together by a rope. How can a rebbi demand growth from a talmid without bothering to understand his impediments? The talmid may have this problem on his mind and that problem on his mind. If only the rebbi would help him untie the rope, rather than continue to scream at him to run. This is the achrayus of a rebbi: to adopt his talmidim and take care of them. A rebbi who does this will love all his talmidim, just as a parent loves all his children. If only all yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs, when hiring a rebbi/morah, would be looking not just for teaching skills, but for parenting skills as well. Our best talmidim would be even better, our good would be great, and our ‘bad’ ones, well, perhaps we wouldn’t have any. “Oheiv es habriyos umekarven laTorah Love people and bring them closer to Torah” (Avos 1:12). What talmid won’t love a rebbi who loves him? People can sense what someone else feels about them and they will most likely reciprocate, as the beautiful posuk in Mishlei (27:19) says, “Kamayim haponim laponim kein lev ha’adam la’adam - As water reflects a face back to a face, so the heart of man is reflected back to him by another.” If I may go out on a limb, the precept of Veshinantom levanecha would seem to discourage the departmentalization of limudei kodesh, which is quite common in Bais Yaakov upper elementary and high schools. (Yes, I know that it is “levanecha, velo livnosecha,” but once we are doing it, let’s do it right.) True, perhaps there might be advantages academically, but more important is the relationship between morah and talmidah. A morah should be more than just a morah of information, but a morah derech and role model of how to act and live one’s life. Such a relationship is unlikely to develop in a departmental system. What a chaval that these girls during these formative years don’t have this opportunity which is afforded to boys. In general, it seems to me that although many bochurim have a kesher with their rebbi (though this too needs improvement), by the girls it is more of a rarity. And yes, while perhaps boys may need it more, it is certainly vitally beneficial to girls as well. How many young women in shidduchim and marriage have a morah they can naturally turn to for crucial guidance and chizuk? As with all my articles, I am not writing about what I am, but rather what I believe is right and hope to become. So I admonish myself along with all mechanchim and mechanchos: Open your heart to your talmidim. Make time for them. Adopt them as your children. Klal Yisroel needs you! ••••• This column is based on the Hebrew sefer, “Olam Hamiddos,” written by this author, who can be reached via email at [email protected].

(Continued from page 49) and his two sons split the inheritance. Later, another brother showed up from overseas and demanded a third of the inheritance. Is the original division of the estate nullified? Rav argues that it is and the estate should be re-divided into three portions. Shmuel argues, however, that the original division need not be nullified; a third portion can be created by taking a part from the other brothers. Tosafos, in the name of the Ri, describes the situation. The estate was made up of three fields. Through a lottery, Reuven was awarded one-and-ahalf fields and Shimon was awarded the other one-and-a-half. After Levi’s arrival, Shmuel would argue that he can be awarded the field that had been divided between the other brothers. In this way, the original division is not nullified completely and we can resolve the problem without convening another lottery. But perhaps Shimon would argue that the field that he had been awarded in the lottery had not been his preference; he would like the lottery to be repeated. Rav argues that, indeed, the initial division is invalid and the process must be done again to divide the inheritance into three. The Shulchan Aruch (siman 175) rules in accordance with Rav; even if we can satisfy Levi, the lottery must be performed again. The Chavos Yair points out that there are many lotteries in Tanach. For example, a lottery system is used to apportion Eretz Yisroel in Sefer Bamidbar. If a lottery is performed properly, it is guided by Divine Providence; the person who was intended to win will win. Hashem arranges that the lottery indicate the truth. If there is something intrinsically wrong with the lottery, however, we cannot be sure that the lottery reflects the truth, and it is thus invalid. Division of an inheritance when one brother is excluded is not a valid lottery. Similarly, a lottery that did not provide equal chances to all participants is faulty. Although the person who was left out of the lottery may be satisfied with a cash gift, this arrangement is not fair to the other participants. Since the lottery was inherently faulty, we must start from the beginning. PROPER DISCLAIMER In our case, then, the lottery must be repeated. This example demonstrates that it is worthwhile for an organization that is arranging a lottery to clearly stipulate that the organization maintains the right to make the final decision regarding the winner in a manner that it deems fair. If such a disclaimer is read and accepted by participants, the organization will not run into trouble if a mistake is made. ••••• The Archives of Ethics Choshen Mishpat Shiur series is produced by the Bais HaVaad L’Inyonei Mishpat and features a 15-20 minute shiur on each daf of the Daf Yomi learning schedule. The shiurim are given by world renowned dayanim, poskim, and maggidei shiur, and highlight the practical halachic applications of sugyos discussed in the daf to the modern world. For more information about Archives of Ethics, the Bais HaVaad, or to order the series, call 888.485.VAAD or email [email protected].

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At the Shabbos Table With Rabbi Juravel (Continued from page 51) Yisroel could have constructed the shiur in a few seconds, but he needed ten minutes to decide whether he was saying the shiur to protect his positive influence (yeitzer tov) or out of arrogance (yeitzer hara). ••••• A bochur in yeshiva spent all his time learning, subsisting on little food and sleep…but a lot of ga’avah. Rav Elazar Shach told the bochur that this was the yeitzer hara urging him to build a reputation as a tzaddik. Moreover, soon he would have no strength to learn at all. ••••• A yungerman left a paying kollel and joined a larger one with no pay where he felt he would learn better. His former rosh yeshiva suggested to him, “Perhaps you really want to learn less, so you went to a larger yeshiva where you would not be noticed.” The yungerman added sarcastically, “Perhaps I wanted to run out of money so I would have an excuse to stop learning and go to work. But perhaps my yeitzer hara was telling me to remain in the first kollel where I wasn’t learning so well. How can I know?” The young man proceeded to explain that he had done his best to remove all negios and act objectively. The rosh yeshiva was satisfied. ••••• One must think to himself, “Did I reprimand the man who was talking during Krias HaTorah to defend kevod Shomayim or to show my tzidkus? Or was it to get back at him because we had a run-in?” We must ask Hashem for guidance, as Kalev ben Yefuneh did. May Hashem give us guidance as he did to Kalev. ••••• To have Rabbi Juravel speak at your function, call 646.320.3125.

Abomination Brings Annihilation (Continued from page 45) prevent this abomination from taking place is obligated to stand up for the honor of our Father in Heaven and stop the desecration of His Holy City. Whoever has any political, financial or any other type of influence to help remove this filth from the holy streets of Yerushalayim should do so. This is the greatest danger that exists for the Jewish people today, and we must do what is in our power to stop it from happening. Thinking that there is nothing we can do to stop this parade is a grave error. We need only make an effort and Hashem will finish the job. Standing idly by is tantamount to seeing our Father being disgraced without defending his honor. When the Jewish people learn from Hashem’s miracles, we are repaid with supernatural assistance. Hesitation in this matter is a case of misplaced humility. Regarding this parade, a meek, head-in-the-sand approach will place us in real danger from the enemies who are threatening us. If we defend the honor of our Father in Heaven, we will surely find favor in His eyes and merit to see the redemption speedily. ••••• Rabbi Travis is a rosh kollel of Kollel Toras Chaim in Yerushalayim, and is the author of Shaylos U’Teshuvos Toras Chaim and “Praying With Joy - A Daily Tefilla Companion,” a practical daily guide to improving one’s prayers, available from Feldheim Publishers. For more information about his work, contact [email protected]. 27 Sivan 5769 • June 19 2009

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