“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tazria-Metzora
Avos perek 2 – 19th day of the Omer
4 Iyar 5785/ May 2, 2025
MISSION IMPROBABLE
The following thoughts are adapted from the speech I delivered at the afruf of our new son-in-law, Shloime Stern, Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini 5785:
I guess it’s because our daughter’s wedding was a week after Pesach that during Pesach, I was focusing on the words of the first Perek of Tehillim that we add to davening on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
In Tehillim 19, Dovid Hamelech writes: “He placed in them (the heavens) a tent for the sun. And it is like a groom leaving his chuppah, rejoicing like a man of strength, to run along his path.”
I wondered what the meaning is behind the analogy of a groom with the sun. I also wondered about the great joy the groom he feels while running along his path with great strength? What is that path?
In addition, one verse later, that chapter in Tehillim completely changes topic. It movingly extols the great virtue and merit of the Torah and those who study and fulfill it. There is a beloved custom to joyously chant those verses prior to each hakafah on Simchas Torah. What is the connection between the sun, groom and one who studies Torah?
The sun is a symbol of absolute consistency in our world. We can predict with utmost precision the exact time the sun will rise in any location in the world on any day, even hundreds of years in the future. The sun hasn’t missed a beat (or a ray) since the day it was created. There are many days when we cannot see the sun, but that is only because it is obscured by clouds. The sun itself, however, is always shining in its place exactly where and when it should be.
If we could ask the sun why it’s so dedicated to its mission and why it never takes a vacation, it would likely reply that it understands the incredible importance of what it does. If the sun is off course by a fraction of a moment, or if it moves a millimeter out of place, all life in our world would be instantly jeopardized. The sun gives light and warmth, is the source of photosynthesis, evaporation, and the basis of natural life in our world. The sun drives Earth’s weather patterns, seasons, and ocean currents. Its gravity holds our solar system together. The sun is also vital for vitamin D production, which is essential for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
In other words, the sun has a strong sense of mission and purpose which drives it to never falter in fulfilling its role.
Rabbi Chaim Friedlander notes (Kuntrus “V’yadata ki shalom ohalech”) that although performing acts of chesed is an important mitzvah and part of being a Jew, if I don’t perform a specific act of chesed someone else will hopefully do so. Regarding a husband’s obligations for his wife however, there is no substitute. No one can be an emotional support for a woman like her husband. A woman looks to her husband not only for physical support but for emotional support and validation as well (and vice-versa).
When a groom places a ring on his bride’s finger to marry her, he accepts upon himself the role to support and honor her. He then leaves the chuppah invigorated with his newfound sense of mission.
Just as the sun rises and sets each day with the knowledge of how vital its role is, so does a Chosson embrace his new role, feeling responsible and excited to fulfill his new bidding.
In life, we have to accept the path and the role that heaven has ordained for us.
The reality is that it is often extremely challenging to do so. It is incredibly difficult to go through the daily grind when one is waiting for his/her shidduch, struggles to make a living, needs physical/psychological healing, or any other salvation.
When a person is able to maintain a sense of mission, that gives him the impetus to proceed and continue to accomplish, despite how hard it is.
Sapir Cohen was taken hostage on October 7. At first, she was held captive in a house with a 16-year-old girl. Sapir related that she felt responsible to care for the terrified girl. Sapir felt she was divinely placed with that girl for a reason and she made it her mission to use humor to lighten the terrible situation as much as she could. When the two were told by the terrorists that they would be moved to the tunnels, the girl panicked. Sapir told her, “We are in Gaza. Obviously, we have to see the number one attraction here.” She used humor to help other hostages she saw and she tried to embrace that role even in the depths of the most horrible situation.
Sapir shared that having that sense of mission helped her get through the trauma of that experience until she was released.
Part of our task in life is to try to accomplish and do the best we can in whatever situation we find ourselves in. When we have a sense of mission it gives us direction and vitality to make the best of our situation and remain productive, even as we hope for and await our personal salvation.
When Aharon HaKohain lost his two righteous sons on what had been the happiest day of his life, he was not permitted to display any external mourning. How was he able to maintain his composure and continue offering the korbanos of the day?
Aside from his incredible faith, Aharon knew he had a mission and responsibility no one else could fulfill. He was the Kohain Gadol and all of Klal Yisroel was relying on him. He could not shirk his mission, even in the face of incredible personal grief.
A chosson is like the sun along his path, driven by his mission to be the mainstay and support for his wife.
One who prioritizes Torah story feels that it is his lifelong mission. That drives him to ensure that he maintains his personal study times even when he is tired or worn out. It’s a mission and therefore it becomes his passion.
That perhaps is the connection between the sun, a groom and Torah. When we have a sense of mission it drives us and gives us purpose to do our best in every situation.
Our tefillah is that our chosson and Kallah always have a sense of mission to each other, to Klal Yisroel, and ultimately to Hashem.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
Strivinghigher.com