DIVREI TORAH ON PARSHAS VESCHANAN
The Medrash (2/29) says: Ma Ro’oo Moshe Litein Nafsho Al Orei Miklot? Why did Moshe Rabbeinu undertake to separate the Orei Miklot, (safe cities), despite the fact that they wouldn’t take effect until after he died? Omar Rav Levi, Mi She’o’chal Es Hatavshil Hu Yodea Ta’amo. Rav Levi explains it using an analogy. He who ate the dish knows what it tastes like. When Moshe Rabbeinu escaped from Pharaoh, and went into exile, he understood the challenges of running from city to city, without a “safe” place to which to run. As a result of his personal experiences, he undertook to begin the Orei Miklot process, in order to help other people who will be going through the same experience in the future.
I believe that Moshe Rabbeinu’s desire to create Orei Miklot wasn’t emotional. His motivation wasn’t because he felt bad for those requiring an Orei Miklot. Moshe was the ultimate Nosei B’ol Im Chavero, someone who felt everyone’s burden, whether or not, he personally experienced it (Chochma U’mussor). Moshe undertook the Orei Miklot project because of his personal experience.
People who have personal experiences, are morally responsible to share them, and to help others with similar experiences. For example, people who were poor, and required Tomchei Shabbos services, and then became wealthy, should give a more significant portion of their Tzedaka to Tomchei Shabbos, than to other worthy organizations whose services they haven’t used.
People can have different natures. I’ve dealt with several wealthy people who insisted on giving their Tzedaka elsewhere, despite the undeniable fact that Areivim was successful in “turning” their children around. People are embarrassed to “owe” others, and choose to deny their experiences. Instead, they should realize their personal obligation to help everyone who shares their experiences, whether it’s by donating their money, time, expertise, or even just listening and sharing their burdens.
I believe that Moshe Rabbeinu’s desire to create Orei Miklot wasn’t emotional. His motivation wasn’t because he felt bad for those requiring an Orei Miklot. Moshe was the ultimate Nosei B’ol Im Chavero, someone who felt everyone’s burden, whether or not, he personally experienced it (Chochma U’mussor). Moshe undertook the Orei Miklot project because of his personal experience.
People who have personal experiences, are morally responsible to share them, and to help others with similar experiences. For example, people who were poor, and required Tomchei Shabbos services, and then became wealthy, should give a more significant portion of their Tzedaka to Tomchei Shabbos, than to other worthy organizations whose services they haven’t used.
People can have different natures. I’ve dealt with several wealthy people who insisted on giving their Tzedaka elsewhere, despite the undeniable fact that Areivim was successful in “turning” their children around. People are embarrassed to “owe” others, and choose to deny their experiences. Instead, they should realize their personal obligation to help everyone who shares their experiences, whether it’s by donating their money, time, expertise, or even just listening and sharing their burdens.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
The Posuk says, V’yodato Ha’yom Va’ha’sheivoso El L’vovecho, you should know today and return it to your heart. What should you know? Ki Hashem Hu Ho’elokim, that Hashem is the Hashem. What is the Torah trying to teach us when it says people should return it to their heart?
It’s the nature of people to forget facts, or events, even though, when they first hear them, they are very impressed. This nature causes them to forget advice that they gave to others. They can listen to their wives list what they need to buy, and forget it when they get to the store. What can people do to ensure that they remember the important messages in the Torah?
Va’hasheivoso El Levovecho is the instruction to bring the information “home”. When I learn something that I believe is an important lesson, from a Sefer, I make sure to tell it to several people within the first 24 hours. The same is true when I hear advice from my Rosh Hayeshiva. I’ve learned that something can be clear to me at one moment, and forgotten the next.
When people place effort into remembering the lessons of the Torah, they’ll amass dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of lessons, over the years. These lessons will create, internalized, change within them. Otherwise, whatever lessons they’ll have learned, will be quickly forgotten, and won’t be able to create change in them. Everyone should come up with a plan that’ll work for them. People need to embrace what’s important, and ensure that they store the information, not only for their entire lives, but in order to hand it down to their children.
It’s the nature of people to forget facts, or events, even though, when they first hear them, they are very impressed. This nature causes them to forget advice that they gave to others. They can listen to their wives list what they need to buy, and forget it when they get to the store. What can people do to ensure that they remember the important messages in the Torah?
Va’hasheivoso El Levovecho is the instruction to bring the information “home”. When I learn something that I believe is an important lesson, from a Sefer, I make sure to tell it to several people within the first 24 hours. The same is true when I hear advice from my Rosh Hayeshiva. I’ve learned that something can be clear to me at one moment, and forgotten the next.
When people place effort into remembering the lessons of the Torah, they’ll amass dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of lessons, over the years. These lessons will create, internalized, change within them. Otherwise, whatever lessons they’ll have learned, will be quickly forgotten, and won’t be able to create change in them. Everyone should come up with a plan that’ll work for them. People need to embrace what’s important, and ensure that they store the information, not only for their entire lives, but in order to hand it down to their children.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
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