“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Bo
2 Shevat 5774/January 3, 2014
A
few summers ago in Camp Dora Golding, Rabbi Noach Sauber, a masterful educator
(currently camp’s learning director) would give a brief night seder each night
following maariv to the oldest divisions in camp. His topic was halacha, and
each night he would introduce a few simple halachos pertaining to daily Jewish
life. Rabbi Sauber has the ability to convey his teachings in a dynamic and
exciting manner, and the room came to life with debates and discussions.
few summers ago in Camp Dora Golding, Rabbi Noach Sauber, a masterful educator
(currently camp’s learning director) would give a brief night seder each night
following maariv to the oldest divisions in camp. His topic was halacha, and
each night he would introduce a few simple halachos pertaining to daily Jewish
life. Rabbi Sauber has the ability to convey his teachings in a dynamic and
exciting manner, and the room came to life with debates and discussions.
At the end of the summer Rabbi Sauber announced to
the older divisions that any boy who would call him on the phone on Chanukah to
tell him that they learned two halachos every day, would receive fifty dollars.
There would be no test or need to prove it. Their word was sufficient to earn
them their cash prize.
the older divisions that any boy who would call him on the phone on Chanukah to
tell him that they learned two halachos every day, would receive fifty dollars.
There would be no test or need to prove it. Their word was sufficient to earn
them their cash prize.
Rabbi Sauber related to me what prompted him to
make that offer. He explained that today it is in vogue to discuss the whys of
Judaism. There are many worthy classes and discussions that explain why we
should believe in G-d, why we keep Torah, why Shabbos is so vital, why we keep
kosher, etc. And there is a great need for those seminars and classes. However,
very often our added focus on the ‘why’ inhibits our focus on the ‘how’. The
result us that there is not enough focus on how a Jew should conduct
himself. It’s important to know why you are doing what you do, but you
also need to know what to do! The answer to that question can only be
found in the Shulchan Arch and its commentaries.
make that offer. He explained that today it is in vogue to discuss the whys of
Judaism. There are many worthy classes and discussions that explain why we
should believe in G-d, why we keep Torah, why Shabbos is so vital, why we keep
kosher, etc. And there is a great need for those seminars and classes. However,
very often our added focus on the ‘why’ inhibits our focus on the ‘how’. The
result us that there is not enough focus on how a Jew should conduct
himself. It’s important to know why you are doing what you do, but you
also need to know what to do! The answer to that question can only be
found in the Shulchan Arch and its commentaries.
There are many people who simply are unaware of
many straightforward halachos. They may be able to quote lofty kabbalistic
thoughts and beautiful explanations of verses in the Torah. But they are
unaware of basic halachos pertaining to Shabbos, kashrus, tefillah, and
berachos.
many straightforward halachos. They may be able to quote lofty kabbalistic
thoughts and beautiful explanations of verses in the Torah. But they are
unaware of basic halachos pertaining to Shabbos, kashrus, tefillah, and
berachos.
Rav Yisroel Salanter zt’l taught that when one
learns about a mitzvah it awakens within him and infuses within him with an
inner drive to fulfill that mitzvah in the optimal manner. When one is aware of
the halachos governing a mitzvah he feels that much more confident and excited
to perform it.
learns about a mitzvah it awakens within him and infuses within him with an
inner drive to fulfill that mitzvah in the optimal manner. When one is aware of
the halachos governing a mitzvah he feels that much more confident and excited
to perform it.
My Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Finkleman, often laments
the fallacy of those Jews who say “I’m a good Jew at heart and that’s the main
thing. I may not perform in Judaism too well, but in my heart I feel very
connected with G-d.” Rabbi Finkleman would say that mitzvos are like a shower.
If one goes under the shower and contemplates the greatness of the shower and
the beauty of the clean feeling it generates, but never turns on the water, he
is not going to have any benefit from the shower.
the fallacy of those Jews who say “I’m a good Jew at heart and that’s the main
thing. I may not perform in Judaism too well, but in my heart I feel very
connected with G-d.” Rabbi Finkleman would say that mitzvos are like a shower.
If one goes under the shower and contemplates the greatness of the shower and
the beauty of the clean feeling it generates, but never turns on the water, he
is not going to have any benefit from the shower.
The only way to gain anything from the shower is by
turning on the water and standing underneath it. Similarly, the only way one
can elevate and purify his soul is by performing mitzvos, observing Torah and
Shabbos, and keeping halacha to the best of one’s ability.
turning on the water and standing underneath it. Similarly, the only way one
can elevate and purify his soul is by performing mitzvos, observing Torah and
Shabbos, and keeping halacha to the best of one’s ability.
Indeed, learning halacha is a great way to ensure
that your home and your family are showered with blessing!
that your home and your family are showered with blessing!
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
720 Union Road • New Hempstead, NY 10977 • (845)
362-2425
362-2425