“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Devorim –
Shabbas Chazon
Shabbas Chazon
8 Menachem Av 5779/August 9, 2019 – Avos perek 3
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l was
recognized throughout the Torah world as the foremost halachic authority and
the leader of his time. As the ambulance sped through the streets of Manhattan
carrying the elderly and ailing Rosh Yeshiva in what would be his final moments
on earth, Rav Moshe uttered his final words: “Ich hob mehr nisht kayn ko’ach
– I have no more strength.”
recognized throughout the Torah world as the foremost halachic authority and
the leader of his time. As the ambulance sped through the streets of Manhattan
carrying the elderly and ailing Rosh Yeshiva in what would be his final moments
on earth, Rav Moshe uttered his final words: “Ich hob mehr nisht kayn ko’ach
– I have no more strength.”
Whatever strength he had was used in
the service of his people. Now his energy was gone, and his illustrious life on
this earth came to an end as well.
the service of his people. Now his energy was gone, and his illustrious life on
this earth came to an end as well.
One of the most painful predicaments
is when a person feels he just can’t take it anymore; he just can’t go on.
Although that feeling can be an incredible motivator for change and growth,
that is only when change is within his purview and capability. That’s when the
feeling of desperation can be the catalyst and impetus he needs to catapult him
beyond his lethargy or anxiety to accomplish what he truly desires. However,
when there are situations that are out of one’s hands, and life becomes painful
and overwhelming, it’s a different story. As long as one is able to maintain a
spirit of optimism, he will be able to endure the challenge. But when that
sense of hope becomes depleted, he becomes far more vulnerable. The most
difficult moments are when a person feels defeated, beaten, and alone. When
one’s resolve has been shattered, he no longer has the fortitude to deal with
the vagaries of his challenging situation.
is when a person feels he just can’t take it anymore; he just can’t go on.
Although that feeling can be an incredible motivator for change and growth,
that is only when change is within his purview and capability. That’s when the
feeling of desperation can be the catalyst and impetus he needs to catapult him
beyond his lethargy or anxiety to accomplish what he truly desires. However,
when there are situations that are out of one’s hands, and life becomes painful
and overwhelming, it’s a different story. As long as one is able to maintain a
spirit of optimism, he will be able to endure the challenge. But when that
sense of hope becomes depleted, he becomes far more vulnerable. The most
difficult moments are when a person feels defeated, beaten, and alone. When
one’s resolve has been shattered, he no longer has the fortitude to deal with
the vagaries of his challenging situation.
When Parshas Devorim is read there
is one pasuk read in the mournful tune used when laining Megillas Eicha. That
is the pasuk where Moshe Rabbeinu declares, “How can I alone bear your burdens,
your loads, and your grievances?” Moshe felt overwhelmed and incapable of being
the sole leader of Klal Yisroel. When one has a feeling of “eicha – how can it
be?” he can easily become despondent.
is one pasuk read in the mournful tune used when laining Megillas Eicha. That
is the pasuk where Moshe Rabbeinu declares, “How can I alone bear your burdens,
your loads, and your grievances?” Moshe felt overwhelmed and incapable of being
the sole leader of Klal Yisroel. When one has a feeling of “eicha – how can it
be?” he can easily become despondent.
It is not one’s situation that
determines his emotional state, but his attitude and perspective.
In the world of psychology this was demonstrated
and taught most profoundly by Dr. Viktor Frankl. Frankl, an Austrian
psychiatrist, suffered Nazi persecution including being an inmate in
Concentration Camps. Frankl noted that only those who were able to maintain a
sense of mission were able to survive Auschwitz. He himself survived because he
would picture himself speaking with people as a therapist in his new office
after the war would end.
determines his emotional state, but his attitude and perspective.
In the world of psychology this was demonstrated
and taught most profoundly by Dr. Viktor Frankl. Frankl, an Austrian
psychiatrist, suffered Nazi persecution including being an inmate in
Concentration Camps. Frankl noted that only those who were able to maintain a
sense of mission were able to survive Auschwitz. He himself survived because he
would picture himself speaking with people as a therapist in his new office
after the war would end.
In his words, “We must never forget
that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless
situation, when facing a fate that can not be changed. For what then matters is
to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to
transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a
human achievement.”
According to Frankl having a sense of meaning
and purpose can help a person deal with the most difficult challenges. He
bemoaned the fact that people today have the means to live, but no meaning to
live for!
that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless
situation, when facing a fate that can not be changed. For what then matters is
to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to
transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a
human achievement.”
According to Frankl having a sense of meaning
and purpose can help a person deal with the most difficult challenges. He
bemoaned the fact that people today have the means to live, but no meaning to
live for!
The greatest gift a person can receive
when feeling broken and lost is regeneration of chizuk and encouragement. It
can come in many forms and sometimes from unexpected places. When one feels
that he has no strength to go on, that renewed vitality can make all the
difference.
Megillas Eicha begins with that most painful
declaration – “Eicha”, Yermiyah’s deepest expression of anguish and
exasperation. We begin Tisha B’av with that same sense of “Eicha” – How can all
this have happened? How can our people have endured so much pain and suffering?
How can we still be here after so many centuries in exile?
when feeling broken and lost is regeneration of chizuk and encouragement. It
can come in many forms and sometimes from unexpected places. When one feels
that he has no strength to go on, that renewed vitality can make all the
difference.
Megillas Eicha begins with that most painful
declaration – “Eicha”, Yermiyah’s deepest expression of anguish and
exasperation. We begin Tisha B’av with that same sense of “Eicha” – How can all
this have happened? How can our people have endured so much pain and suffering?
How can we still be here after so many centuries in exile?
As we read the words of the kinnos
that feeling of Eicha only becomes magnified. But after reciting paragraph
after paragraph recounting our endless suffering, we start to realize that if
they have not been able to destroy us until now, it is clear that we are
eternal and indestructible. It is that recognition which fills us with sudden
hope, granting us an injection of vitality that consoles us.
In our lowest moments, we recognize that our suffering
itself is indicative of our eternity. The question of Eicha – how can we
endure? is transformed to a proud declaration of Eicha- oh, how we have and
will endure!
that feeling of Eicha only becomes magnified. But after reciting paragraph
after paragraph recounting our endless suffering, we start to realize that if
they have not been able to destroy us until now, it is clear that we are
eternal and indestructible. It is that recognition which fills us with sudden
hope, granting us an injection of vitality that consoles us.
In our lowest moments, we recognize that our suffering
itself is indicative of our eternity. The question of Eicha – how can we
endure? is transformed to a proud declaration of Eicha- oh, how we have and
will endure!
That is why in the middle of Tisha
B’av we already begin to gather comfort and recite the prayer of “Nachem”,
asking Hashem to comfort the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim. All the pain
and suffering we have recounted reinforces to us that we are special and unique.
B’av we already begin to gather comfort and recite the prayer of “Nachem”,
asking Hashem to comfort the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim. All the pain
and suffering we have recounted reinforces to us that we are special and unique.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
An easy, meaningful and inspiring Tisha B’av,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum