‘Parsha Growth Spurts’
Rabbi Dani Staum
Parshas Re’eh
“You are children to Hashem, your G-d…” (Devorim 14:1)
Someone once asked the Chofetz Chaim why Hashem needs so many different sects of Jews. Furthermore, even among the different groups there are so many subgroups, such as the many different sects of Chassidim?
The Chofetz Chaim replied that the man should direct his question to the Russian Czar. “What use does he have for so many different types of soldiers in his army? He has a cavalry, navy, archers, air-force, and tank corps. Why can’t he just have one unified army with everyone doing the same thing?
The obvious answer is that each plays its own unique, and integral, role in the Czar’s army. Moreover, if a Marine tries to fly a plane he will get court-martialed for not fulfilling his responsibility.
Every Jew who lives his life in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch is a soldier in Hashem’s army. Every person is responsible to preserve the customs and traditions of his family. The king has many sons sitting around his table; each in his own seat of honor.
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“Anything that has fins and scales you may eat” (Devorim 14:9)
The gemara (Kiddushin 29a) lists the things that a father is to do for his son, including teaching him Torah. The gemara quotes an opinion that a father must also teach his son how to swim. Why should there be a particular obligation to teach a son how to swim?
Harav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv zt’l (Divrei Agadah) explained that when a log falls into a river, the log does not sink. Although the log floats however, we would not say the log is able to ‘swim’ because it is at the mercy of the current. A swimmer has the aquatic acumen to fight the current and swim upstream if he so chooses, because he is not at the mercy of the current.
This is the ability that a father must impart to his son. A father must teach his son to not be intimidated by thunderous waves. He has to teach him that a Jew doesn’t have to live ‘with the times’ and doesn’t indulge in everything society is busy with. He must teach him to swim against the current, and not afraid to be different.
The Medrash (Bereishis Rabbah 97:3) compares Klal Yisroel to fish. There are two signs required for a fish to be kosher: fins and scales. A fish’s scales protect it from predators. This symbolizes a father’s obligation to teach his son Torah, which protects him from spiritual depravation. A fish uses its fins to swim at will, with – or against – the flow. That symbolizes a father’s obligation to teach his son to not be intimidated by being different.
In the words of one of my rabbeim: “Don’t go with the flow; you may go over the falls!”
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“You shall tithe the entire crop of our planting” (Devorim 14:22)
Chazal explain that the repetitious expression (“Aser t’aser”) comes to teach us, “Aser b’shvil shetis’aser– One should tithe (and give tzedakah) so that Hashem will make him rich.” Similarly, Chazal say, “If one sees that his financial situation is very tight, he should give charity.”
This statement seems counterintuitive. If one is struggling to make ends meet financially, why should he give away more of his money, wouldn’t that only serve to further deplete his funds?
Rav Yitzchok Dweck (of Deal N.J.) related a parable about an ignorant peasant who lived in a suburb of a large city and wanted to mail a letter. He found an old stamp which he put on the letter. Then he traveled to the post office in the city and asked the clerk to mail his letter. The clerk replied that there was insufficient postage, because the stamp was outdated. The clerk explained that he would have to purchase additional stamps and affix them to the envelope. The peasant laughed, “How absurd! If I put more stamps on the envelope, it will only make it heavier!” The clerk replied impatiently, “It may make the envelope heavier but it’s because of those stamps that that letter is going to get to its destination.”
This is what Chazal are teaching us regarding tzedakah. If one finds himself in a difficult financial situation he should give tzedakah. True, that may temporarily further deplete his funds but in the merit of the tzedakah he gives he will be blessed with financial bounty.
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Sources: Rav Dweck – heard in his name