“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Lech Lecha 5786
9 MarCheshvan 5786/October 31, 2025
ABOVE & BEYOND
What is the secret to leadership, accomplishment and growth? Why do some people accomplish great things while other driven, well-meaning people don’t?
Chumash Bereishis introduces us to some of our greatest heroes, most notably the Avos and the Shevatim. We also meet villains like Nimrod, Pharoah, Eisav and Lavan. But there are also some personalities we encounter that are more intriguing and it’s not as clear where they stand.
One of those in the latter group is Haran. Haran, the brother of Avrohom was impressed with his brother’s unyielding faith in one G-d. But he was somewhat on the fence and not fully invested. When Avrohom was cast into the furnace by Nimrod for preaching belief in monotheism, Haran was asked where his alliance lay. Haran reasoned that if Avrohom would be saved, he too would profess belief in monotheism. But if Avrohom was consumed by the fire, he would assert his belief in polytheism.
When Avrohom emerged miraculously from the fire, Haran announced that he too was a believer in one G-d, and he too was cast into the fire. But unlike Avrohom, Haran was instantly consumed by the intense flames.
Chazal explain that because Haran only aligned himself with Avrohom with expectation of a miracle to save him, no miracle occurred.
Chasam Sofer writes that Haran was a very righteous person, though not on the level of Avrohom. Haran had two daughters, Yiskah – who Chazal say was Sarah – and Milkah, the mother of Rivkah. Lavan, the brother of Rivkah and grandson of Milkah, was the father of Leah and Rachel. That means our matriarchs were all direct descendants of Haran. In addition, though unwittingly, the reality is that Haran died sanctifying the Name of G-d.
There is an important lesson to be learned from Haran’s legacy. Ultimately, the difference between Avrohom and Haran was only in their inner faith that no one saw. Avrohom believed without expectations, while Haran’s faith was contingent on what would occur.
With this in mind, it is notable that there are many individuals who have created incredible programs and initiatives in recent years that have positively impacted the lives of thousands of people. I would like to highlight a few that I have personally interacted with and gained from their initiatives.
When I was an associate rabbi almost two decades ago, I would deliver a weekly shiur about tefillah. At the time there was a new fledgling organization called Torahanytime, whose then slogan was, “G-d’s reason for the internet.” One of the attendees of the shiur reached out to Torahanytime to suggest that my weekly shiur be recorded and posted. From that week onward a representative of Torahanytime recorded the shiur each week.
Torahanytime was founded by Shimon and Rubin Kolyaakov with the goal of being a free Torah resource for the masses. Before then, virtually every Torah lectures had to be purchased.
Today Torahanytime hosts tens of thousands of shiurim, maintains a team of employees, and is constantly upgrading and introducing new programs. Millions of hours of Torah have been learned because of the incredible site.
When a young man named Nachi Gordon saw that people were looking for inspiration to fuel their spiritual fire, he began to post a one-minute clip from different lectures each day. Within a very short time “Meaningful Minute” went viral. Today it has become an ‘inspiration movement’ that includes its own app, and a podcast.
A few years ago, I was speaking to Dr. Jonathan Donath about a family matter. At the end of the conversation, he mentioned that he had just launched a program called Daily Giving. He explained that each month donor’s credit cards are billed $1 for each day of the month. Every day all the $1 donated to Daily Giving are donated to a different organization. Donors receive a daily email informing them of the name of the organization and the total amount donated that day. I thought it was a fabulous idea, and I signed up.
Since then the program has been extremely well received with millions of dollars disseminated annually to many worthy tzedakah organizations.
Five years ago, I received a phone call from Elad Danino. At the time I didn’t know Elad. He explained that he was initiating a program to encourage and assist people to learn the Parsha – Shnayim mikra v’echad targum each week. For each Parsha he recorded a different rabbi delivering a 2-3 minute intro to each aliyah of the week’s parsha. Every day he posts one video, and on Friday a bonus video with a d’var Torah on the Parsha. I have been privileged to have been the featured presenter for a couple of parshios.
By now, thousands of people have joined the program. The recent kickoff event in Brooklyn for the new cycle drew a crowd of 1700 people. In addition, ArtScroll just published a new Chumash based on the program.
Undoubtedly, one of our greatest challenges today is with maintaining kedusha. The Vayimaen program was a bold initiative to offer ongoing daily chizuk in this omnipresent struggle. The under 5-minute daily videos are professionally produced and feature well-known speakers. Every video is positive, warm and encouraging. What is perhaps most incredible about Vayimaen is that the founder and financial backer of the program continues to remain completely anonymous.
I must add that to write about the amazing work of Chasdei Lev in expressing gratitude for our educators would require (and iyH one day soon will have) its own column.
These are just a small sampling of the many amazing programs and initiatives that abound in our community. There are numerous other programs dedicated to promoting emunah, chizuk in tefillah, chizuk for older singles, guidance for parenting, shalom bayis, etc. etc.
I would boldly venture to assert that the common denominator between the wonderful individuals who founded the aforementioned programs is that none of them began their initiative with any expectation of mass success or personal acclaim. They recognized a void or potential for growth and selflessly devoted themselves to the cause. They began humbly and were consistent in their efforts.
Haran was a great man, but his faith was contingent on miracles and the supernatural. Avrohom on the other hand, set out on his course without any expectations of grandeur or success.
Noach is introduced as the hero of his generation whose mission was to save the world. Avrohom had no lofty introduction other than the Torah telling us that he was the son of Terach who married and subsequently traveled with his father. Then suddenly, Hashem appeared to him and instructed him to “Go!” Avrohom had no ulterior motive other than to fulfill his bidding.
Although Haran is our ancestor as well, we do not regard ourselves as his spiritual heirs. Our mission is to forge ahead with the perspective and attitude of Avrohom Avinu – to spread the Name of G-d in this world and fulfill the mission He has set for us.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
STRIVINGHIGHER.COM