“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayeshev 5785
19 Kislev 5785/ December 20, 2024
I’LL TRY
Say the words “finding teachers” to any yeshiva principal and chances are he’ll roll his eyes and perhaps even snort. He may likely also break into a sweat and his heart will begin racing. I think it’s safe to say that finding qualified and competent teachers is the bane of every yeshiva principal’s existence.
It’s often said that a CEO is only as good as his/her staff. The same is true for principals. A principal and his general studies program is as good as the teachers he hires.
A good teacher must be knowledgeable in the teaching material and have the ability to convey it to students in an engaging manner. He must also have a presence in the classroom, maintain discipline and be able to not take inevitable restlessness and misbehavior personally. He also needs to understand the mindset of yeshiva bochurim who are somewhat maxed out by early afternoon, though they still have night seder ahead. That’s a delicate balance.
As a principal I can attest to how utterly draining the dreaded teacher search is.
A principal’s greatest asset is his colleagues. Whenever I am in search of teachers I reach out to as many colleagues as I can to ask if they know anyone who might be qualified and interested.
Most people generally reply that they’ll think about it or “I’ll try” but don’t follow up. I admit that I have done that myself. Everyone genuinely wants to be helpful. But we have a lot on our plates. When someone asks us for help giving some thought we likely forget about it and move on.
I have a couple of colleagues, however, who always make a sincere effort to help. I don’t know if I have ever actually hired a teacher based on their suggestions. But I am always encouraged that they take the time to think about it, and even make a phone call or two to help me.
Rare is the person who invests time and effort thinking how he can help another.
At the outbreak of World War II, Rav Elchanan Wasserman spent time in New York collecting funds for his yeshiva in Baranovich. At the end of his trip he quipped that although he really didn’t understand much English, he had learned one English phrase while he was in America. “Ven a mentsch zukt “I’ll try” es maint goornisht – When someone tells you “I’ll try” it’s meaningless.”
When Yaakov Avinu crossed the Yabok river alone to retrieve some small jugs, the Torah says “Vayeavek ish imo – And a man wrestled with him.” Chazal explain that the man was actually an angel in the guise of a man.
Rabbi Philip Moskowitz, associate rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue, notes that Onkelos translates the words “vayeavek” as “vayishtadel,” literally translated as he tried. The fact that Onkelos translated the word “vayiavek” (to wrestle) as “vayishtadel” is intriguing. It shows that Yishtadel cannot mean ‘to try’ in the colloquial manner that people say, “I’ll try.” Rather, it refers to struggling, wrestling, and investing mistily to overcome all impediments to make it happen.
Rabbi Moskowitz adds that at the beginning of chapter 7 of Hilchos Teshuva the Rambam discusses the fundamental concept of free will. If we didn’t have free will, we would be unable to do teshuva.
Rambam writes that because we have free will, yishtadel adam la’asos teshuva – A person should “yishtadel” to do teshuva. It is apparent that the Rambam doesn’t mean simply that one should “try” to do teshuva the way people often nonkcomittedly say they will try to do something. Rather, as Onkelos explains, he has to wrestle and struggle within himself, to exercise his free choice properly, to do teshuva and elevate himself as a person.
When someone tells one who feels despondent about his situation that he has an idea for them, it gives the despondent person renewed hope. How painful it is when there is no follow up and the despondent person never hears back from the person who had the idea.
Life is busy and sometimes we forget things in the bustle of daily living. But for someone in pain, dashed hopes exponentially compounds the pain he/she already feels. This is true regarding someone looking for a job, trying to buy a house in a particular neighborhood, a young man/woman trying to get into a yeshiva/seminary, a principal looking for a teacher, or an older single waiting for a shidduch.
The colloquial “I’ll try” can be not only unhelpful, but more damaging. The Torah and Chazal define “trying” as a genuine and concerted effort. One hasn’t truly tried until he has wrestled/struggled with all potential impediments and detractors to accomplish his objective. It requires commitment and dedication to push through and actualize one’s aspirations.
Imagine if when the Macabees realized the seriousness of the danger they were in under Antiochus they said they would “try” to help…
Chanukah is the result of their absolute commitment to defend Torah values even to the death. The Maccabees were up for the struggle and placed their lives on the line.
In the last 15 months Klal Yisroel has witnessed the incredible dedication of our soldiers who were, and are, ready to give their lives to defend our people and land.
Chanukah celebrates not only our divine victories, but also our national grit and ironclad determination to fight and struggle for our values and beliefs.
Yaakov Avinu was forced to be misavek/mishtadel, and so are we.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Lichtig & Freilichen Chanukah & Orot Sameiach,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
Strivinghigher.com
One Response
Wow! Inspiring!