“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Emor
Avos perek 4 – Lag b’Omer
18 Iyar 5785/ May 16, 2025
TRUE ROYALTY
I was fortunate to spend a few summers together with Rabbi Yechiel Weberman when he was a rebbe at Camp Dora Golding.
Rabbi Weberman is a dynamic and beloved rebbe, the type of rebbe that leaves an impression on you. He is also an overflowing wellspring of Torah thoughts on every topic, and he excitedly shares them with machine-gun like rapidity.
I don’t get to see Rabbi Weberman too often, but when I do I know I’m going to hear a beautiful insight. Actually, I know that I’m going to hear like ten beautiful insights in under three minutes.
On the rare occasion that I speak with Rabbi Weberman I immediately pull out my pen and paper. If I’m not ready beforehand, by the time I get my pen out he’ll be up to the third connecting thought. Anyone who knows him knows that I’m not exaggerating.
On an Erev Shabbos this past January, when I was visiting Yerushalayim for a few days, I met Rabbi Weberman walking on the street. When I told him my daughter was engaged, he immediately launched into a beautiful thought about marriage. Wouldn’t you know it, my pen died a few words in. Thankfully, Rabbi Weberman had a spare pen that he donated to me. It is because of that pen that I was able to write down the thoughts he shared with me. I am now sharing them with you as well, (and you don’t even need a pen to follow along):
At the beginning of Chumash Shemos the Torah lists the names of the sons of Yaakov Avinu. Rashi comments: “Even though the Torah listed the names of the twelve Tribes during their lifetime, the Torah repeats them after their death to show us how dear they are to Hashem, for they are compared to the stars who are brought out and brought back in by count and by name…”
To the human eye, stars appear as basically similar twinkling lights. But to Hashem, each star is precious and unique and, therefore, has its own name. The Jewish people are like stars in the sense that each individual is precious to Hashem and is therefore called by name.
Why are stars so precious to Hashem?
Rav Leib Bakst of Detroit explained that the stars were created to mollify the moon. Rashi in parshas Bereshis relates that originally the sun and the moon were created of equal size. When the moon
complained “Two kings cannot share the same crown,” Hashem replied that the moon should minimize itself to allow the sun to be the dominant luminary in the sky. However, to appease the moon for its downgraded stature, Hashem affixed the stars in the sky to add light at night alongside the moon.
Rav Bakst explained that something or someone dedicated to improving the quality of life of another is particularly precious to Hashem.
It is for that reason, that the Jewish people are compared to stars. As
Jews it is our responsibility to always be seeking to improve the lives of others to the best of our ability.
The Rama (Shulchan Aruch Even Ezer Siman 61) writes: “There are those who suggest making the chuppah under the sky.”
The prevalent custom is indeed for a chupah to be held under the sky, either outdoors or at least under a skylight. Rama adds that doing so is a fortuitous sign (Siman Tov) that the new couple’s descendants be like the stars in Heaven.
Based on the previous idea the hope is that the children be “like stars” in the sense that they should be people who are sensitive and caring about the needs of others and go out of their way to improve the quality of life of others. In that way they will be like the stars who were created to benefit the moon.
The Yerushalmi (Shavuos 3:7) states that Shaul merited to be the first king of Klal Yisroel because his grandfather lit candles to benefit the public.
Rabbi Mordechai Shapiro zt”l explained that the role of a king is to be a provider for others. Because Shaul had in his genes to provide for and “light the candle” of others – both literally and metaphorically – he was worthy to be king.
With this in mind, we can understand why Chazal state (Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer 16:16) “chosson domeh l’melech – a groom is analogous to a king”. Shaul was chosen to be king because he was a giver and provider for his charges. Similarly, a chosson accepts that same responsibility upon himself when he marries his kallah. He too pledges to be the emotional security and provider for his new wife. He is like a king who also has the responsibility to “light the candles” of those who look to him.
Perhaps I can add one point to Rabbi Weberman’s thoughts:
Chazal state (based on Gittin 62a), “Who is royalty? Rabbanan.” Those who study Torah are royalty because they provide for the entire world. Firstly, the merit of their Torah learning benefits all of creation. In addition, the Torah teaches selflessness, to prioritize the needs of others before ourselves. One who internalizes that concept is surely worthy to be deemed royalty.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
Strivinghigher.com