“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Chayei Sarah 5787
26 MarCheshvan 5786/ November 6, 2026
Mevorchim Chodesh Kislev
CHAINS OF CHALLENGE
My Zaydei, Rabbi Yaakov Meir (Max) Kohn, passed away on the night of 27 Cheshvan, 39 years ago when I was seven years old.
It never ceases to amaze me that a man who was less than five feet tall, died before my 8th birthday and grew up in a world I can hardly relate to, remains my greatest hero in life.
I remember one occasion when my Zaydei was visiting us in our house in Monsey, and I asked him to tell me the story of my bar mitzvah parsha, Parshas Tzav.
I don’t remember exactly what he told me, but I assume he began telling me about terumas hadeshen, the ritual clearing of the ashes in the Beis Hamikdash early each morning, mentioned at the beginning of Parsha Tzav. I remember saying, “No Zaydei. I don’t want to hear halachos. Tell me the story.” He replied that there is no story in Parshas Tzav; it’s all about avodah and korbanos and the special offerings brought during the 7 days of inauguration of the Mishkan.
At the time I was quite disappointed. It took years before I learned and understood Parshas Tzav.
One unique feature of Parshas Tzav is that it is the only parsha in the Torah, outside of Chumash Bereishis, that has a shalsheles.
The shalsheles is of the most unusual “trop” (cantillation marks) in the Torah. In fact, there are only four of them. The word shalsheles means a chain, and has an elongated, undulating sound that connotes struggle, dissonance and inner tension.
The first time it appears is in Parshas Vayera (Bereishis19:15), where the Torah is relating about Lot being instructed to flee Sodom before its destruction. In onomatopoeic form, the word “vayismahmah – and he hesitated” is read with a shalsheles, drawing out the word. It is a poignant description of Lot’s inner struggle to leave behind his wealth and prestige, even to save himself from imminent disaster.
In parshas Chayei Sarah, the Torah relates that Eliezer prayed that Hashem grant him clarity in choosing a wife for Yitzchak. The mission was a test of Eliezer’s loyalty to Avraham because Eliezer had a daughter whom he wanted Yitzchak to marry. On the word “Vayomar – And he said” there is a shalsheles, symbolizing the inner struggle of Eliezer praying for success in his mission, even as his heart wished otherwise.
In parshas Vayeshev, the Torah relates about Yosef Hatzadik’s heroic refusal to submit to the relentless advances and intimidation of Potiphar’s wife. When she finally cornered him, he almost succumbed. However, with incredible inner conviction, “vayimaen – And he refused” (Bereishis39:8). The word vayimaen is read with a shalsheles, depicting the incredible struggle raging within Yosef in fighting the temptation.
The final shalsheles, appears in parshas Tzav (Vayikra 8:23). Moshe was preparing the ram that would complete the consecration of the Mishkan during the week of its consecration. During that week, Moshe acted as the Kohain Gadol and brought all the offerings.
It’s not hard to imagine that Moshe felt conflicted when offering that korban. There was joy in bringing the special Korban at such a special time. But on the other hand, following the offering of that korban, Moshe knew that he would forfeit the reins of kehunah in handing them over to his brother Aharon.
On the word “vayishchat – And he slaughtered”, referring to that third and final special ram, there is a shalsheles, symbolizing that internal struggle.
Of course, ultimately, Moshe Rabbeinu fulfilled the instruction of Hashem with alacrity, devotion, and punctiliousness. He put aside any personal feelings he may have had, as we would expect from the consummate eved Hashem. But doing so likely required him to sublimate his personal feelings.
My Zaydei grew up in a rabbinic home. His father, Rav Yosef Yitzchak, was the Rav of the village of Selz, the birthplace of the Vilna Gaon. Zaydei learned in Kletzk under Rav Aharon Kotler and in Baranovich by Rav Elchanan Wasserman. Then the war broke out and life as he knew it ended. After spending time with the Partisans in the forest, somehow, orphaned from his parents who were murdered by the Nazis, he ended up in Samarkand. There he met and courted my Bubby. Eventually they married and traveled via France to New York’s Lower East Side.
In the 1950s Zaydei became the Rav of Kehillas Anshei Slonim, a prominent congregation in a beautiful building. My Zaydei was a wonderful orator and knew how to captivate a crowd. Aside from being a shul rabbi he made appeals for Shaarei Tzadok hospital on the Jewish radio station. Thankfully, we have a few of those recordings, originally recorded on reel to reel.
In the 1970s his shul fell on hard times. I found some clippings from Jewish newspapers asking for help from the public to keep the shul open. But in 1974 the shul was forced to close its doors.
The building was sold to an art center. It’s currently called the Angel Orensanz Foundation and still has the original stained-glass windows.
By the time I came into the picture my Zaydei was working as a kashrus Mashgiach. I have often wondered how difficult the transition was for him from being a Rabbi and noted speaker into a Mashgiach. One thing I know – if it was difficult for him, he never showed it. Despite all the upheaval and loss, he experienced in his life he was full of simcha. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye that endeared him to everyone he knew.
In reconsidering the matter, my Zaydei did relate the story of Parshas Tzav, particularly the shalsheles of Parshas Tzav. Only he didn’t relate it to me with words. Rather, he lived it in a manner that continues to inspire me.
It’s a story I’ll never forget.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
STRIVINGHIGHER.COM