Insights
and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
June 14th 2019 -Volume 9 Issue 36-11th
of Sivan 5779
Parshat
Naso/ Behaloscha
Short and Sweet
Now I’m generally a fast davener. The words just flow out as soon as I take my three steps back and forward and shift into gear. I’m talking to Hashem and frankly I’m a fast talker. As well I found when I was back in yeshiva and would shlep my davening out really long in order to look really cool and yeshivish- it isn’t amazing what yeshiva guys think is cool? Well I would find that I generally spaced out and was thinking about my upcoming exams, how I was going to get out of shiur or just where I was going to go out for dinner. Because it was Wednesday night and they were serving that old macaroni again, and Carvel had a buy one get one free sundae on Wednesdays. Now I would usually go with Rechnitz but he wasn’t feeling well, I didn’t see him by lunch. But maybe he was just cutting out of the exams that we had. So maybe I can go with Goldberg or Bassman….hmmm… Modim anachnu lach- bow down. Oops I’m in middle of Shemona esrey. See what I mean.
As I got older, I became more focused on just talking to Hashem. Saying the words of the prayer that I knew by heart and actually saying them and pretty much only them to Hashem. No extra thoughts, no space-outs, no ice cream. The trick I found was speed. If I was standing or drifting too much, I would lose it. This worked out well in my Seattle shul because they were reading in english and I didn’t want to lose them either by having them wait for me. We were all happy. We all talked to Hashem and then we had chulent.
Upon moving to Israel and starting my shul here though it was a decidedly different type of congregation. Almost all of my congregants were religious and davening for years. Many of them were yeshiva graduates and black hat Kollel guys. They had loooong Shmona esrey amidas like most yeshiva guys do. After a few weeks it became patently obvious that there was a problem with the Rabbi- namely-“moui”. Because rather than what happens in most shuls where the congregation waits for the Rabbi to finish praying before continuing with the repetition of the amida, I was waiting for everyone else. I remember calling up my Rebbe and telling him how awkward it was being the first to finish. He reassured me that I wasn’t the first one. I had good company. No less than Reb Chaim Brisker had the same problem.
It seems, he told me, that Reb Chaim also used to daven pretty quickly. Upon receiving his first rabbinic position his congregants began to complain. "What type of Rabbi do we have,who finishes davening so fast.?!" One of his backers on the board decided to try to preempt the problem and sat down with the Rav and told him what the problem was. The congregants were disappointed that the Rav finished davening so quick. It doesn’t look right. The Rabbi should be praying longer than the congregants not shorter. Reb Chaim asked the friend what he should do. After all, he said the prayers, he was done.There was nothing left to say. What does he want from him? The friend hesitantly suggested that perhaps the Rav would just remain standing in one place, as if he were still davening , perhaps he could be thinking about a Rambam or something else in learning during that time and then take his steps back a few minutes later. Rav Chaim looked at him and smiled. “I’m already doing that…” he said. Boom!
Now I don’t know if it’s a true story or not. But it certainly made me feel a whole lot better. If it could work for Reb Chaim then although I’m certainly nowhere near that great giant’s level and I’m sure that he accomplished more in his short prayer and had more kavana and connection with Hashem than I will ever have on my deepest Yom Kippur tefilla. But if he could get away with it with his baalei batim /congregants than I could mine as well.
The truth of the matter though there is something to be said for short and sweet prayers. Our sages tell us
Shulchan Aruch OC (1:4) tov me’at im kavana mei’harbos b’lo kavana-
It is better to have a little bit of supplications with intent and concentration than a lot without intent and concentration. This is even a law that is brought in Shulchan Aruch- the code of Jewish Law and the Taz even suggests that too much prayer can actually be a reason why he might have less kavana.
But even prior to the Shulchan Aruch we find this concept. We find it in last week’s Torah portion of Naso- for those of us in Israel and this week’s Torah portion of Behaloscha. At least according to the brilliant insight of the Ksav Sofer and with it perhaps an even deeper idea as to why one should perhaps focus more upon the succinctness of their prayer rather than trying to pack in as much as you can.
In Parshat Naso we are given the mitzva of the blessing of the Kohanim. In Israel we get to hear that every single day and twice on Shabbos! It’s awesome and worthwhile to move her just for that blessing. The Torah tells us Hashem commands Moshe to tell Aharon and his children
Bamidbar (6:23-28) This is how you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them: "May Hashem bless you and watch over you.
May Hashem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you.
May Hashem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.
"They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them.
It’s a holy blessing. The perfect blessing …After all Hashem Himself created it for us. Yet… I don’t know about you, but most people probably wouldn’t mind Hashem throwing in a line or two about some “real” things. Maybe that I should have a good living? Maybe that I should marry off my children? How about health, or wisdom?I mean don’t’ get me wrong. I have nothing against favor, peace and countenance (whatever that is… it sounds good). But I’ve got some real things I could use as well. Once Hashem is commanding the Kohanim to give us a blessing, what’s wrong with them asking us what our problems are and then having them bless us based on our needs?
He answers incredibly with a powerful Midrash. It says the Jewish people upon hearing this commandment for the Kohanim told Hashem, just the opposite. They said
“You have commanded the Kohanim to bless. All we need is Your blessing and from Your mouth…”
Hashem responded and told them
“Fear not, even though I told the Kohanim to bless you I will stand with them and bless you.”
The Ksav Sofer explains that the Jewish people understood that despite the fact that the Kohanim might bless them even for their particular personal needs, but ultimately Hashem is the only one that really knows what is right for me. Maybe it would be a terrible thing for me to be rich. Maybe it is the right time for me to get married, to have children or even to be healed from my illness. Maybe I am going through whatever challenges I have because that is precisely what is right and even better for me. I want Hashem to bless me. All we really need is what He determines is best for us. Hashem answers and tell the Jewish people, "don’t worry it will be me giving the blessing." Their blessing- their words are only there to rest My presence upon you. But ultimately your blessing will come from Me.
In an almost identical idea he explains Moshe’s prayer for Miriam his sister who was stricken by leprosy. Moshe prays for her to be healed in the shortest prayer in the Torah
Bamidbar (12:13) Kel na refah na lah- Please Hashem heal her”
That’s it. Four words. Talk about a short Shmona Esrei… Rashi on the spot notes the brevity of Moshe’s tefilla and comments
“Why did Moshe not pray at length? In order that the Children of Israel should not say ‘His sister is in distress and he stands and prays a great deal’
Talk about bad, kvetchy, fault-finding congregants? The man’s sister is sick and you begrudge him a long prayer on her behalf?! How could anyone blame him for praying long and hard for her healing? Answers the Ksav Sofer that the meaning of Rashi is quite the opposite. See, really all one needs to do is have a short prayer; quick and short to the point. You know what you would want and need. Ask Hashem for it and you're good to go. A long prayer really just shows a lack of faith, as if I am trying to direct Hashem to do what I think is right for me. Alternatively, the Talmud tells us that sometimes it is appropriate to think a lot during prayer and that is for someone that you are not so close with.
“A person who is praying for his friend should pray until he gets sick over him.”
To ask Hashem on behalf of someone else one needs to feel the pain and trouble that the person they are praying for is in. You have entirely feel as if you are the one that is sick. You need the healing hand of Hashem. You need to empathize entirely and then turn to God. But that is only necessary for someone you’re not close with.
If Moshe would’ve prayed for a long time for his sister, it would’ve been a desecration of Hashem’s name, the Ksav Sofer is suggesting Rashi is saying. The people would’ve said, why does he need so long to pray for her. She’s his sister. He should be able to empathize right away. He should be feeling her pain immediately and quickly telling Hashem to heal her. Perhaps he has a grudge against her. Perhaps he was offended. Maybe he’s not so close to her as he should be. Therefore Moshe davened a short prayer. He didn’t have any ill will against his sister. He felt her pain and he understood that proper prayer is short and concise without any need to tell Hashem how to do His job.
Reb Chaim Kanievsky is one of the greatest Rabbis of our times. There are people that come from him from all over the world for his blessings and to ask for his prayers on their behalf. The multitude of stories about his incredible power of saying just a few words and boom they are always on target are way too many to chalk off to legend. The man is connected upstairs and the things that he says and the blessings he gives happen. But what is fascinating and pretty frustrating to most people that go to him is that his entire blessing or prayer never consists of more than a few words. His most common blessing is not even a word, it’s just an acronym of 2 words. BooHa which stands for bracha v’hatzlacha-blessing and success. I always joked that when I get to that level I’m just going to say Boo! But Reb Chaim is no joking matter.
Most people understand that the reason he so concise is because he doesn’t want to disturb himself from his learning Torah which he is constantly studying. And that’s definitely true. But I believe that Reb Chaim if he felt it was necessary would disturb his Torah for hours to help and to do anything for another Jew. Rather, it is because Reb Chaim understands the lesson and secret of the Ksav Sofer, of what prayer and blessing is all about. Less is more when it comes to davening. Don’t elaborate on the blessing, make it as simple as possible. Let Hashem stand next to that simple blessing and may He be the one to bless you with what is right. Telling Him what to do detracts from what is right. All you need is a little BooHa and you’re in good hands.
Yet, people still try to tell Reb Chaim a little more. They still grab his hand try to explain fruitlessly what they really want. It usually doesn’t help. And perhaps it doesn’t help in our own prayers as well. I know I could get in trouble for this idea, but hey, this is not a weekly publicly read magazine J. It’s just us friends here I don’t have to be as politically correct J. But it’s something to think about when we daven. Perhaps just focus a bit more on the words our Rabbis told us to say and leave out all of the extra thoughts and ideas we feel we need to give to Hashem when we daven. A little with concentration could be more. Good be tov. Now if only I can figure out how to make these E-Mails shorter as well….sigh….
Have a SS or a GS J,
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
**********************************************************
RABBI SCHWARTZ’S
FAVORITE YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK
“Ess, bench, zei a mensch!” Eat. Bentch and be a mentch!
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF
THE WEEK
answer below at end of Email
Q A river which was cleaned and became a tour site:
A. Nahal Alexander
B. Nahal Yagur
C. Nahal Kidron
D. Nahal David
RABBI SCHWARTZES COOL VIDEOS OF THE WEEK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYz4Eb3f2Ro
– Best Song Ever!! I Believe
Rabbi Mordechai Dubin you will play this a hundred times and it will never
leave your mind again!
https://youtu.be/26gxetMRuvU
–New Meileich Kohn song
Moshchani arranged by my buddy Yitz Berry!
https://youtu.be/WhxcSxDgtHI
–
And another Yitz Berry arrangement Avraham Fried’s newest song Abba!
https://soundcloud.com/ephraim-schwartz/yesimcha – In honor of the priestly blessing
My own Rabbi Schwartz incredible gorgeous composition Yesimcha Elokim with the
Bracha of the Kohen- like it and then Email me and tell me how much you like itJJ
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S “LOMDUS”
CONNECTION OF THE WEEK
Parshat Behaloscha– Lamdanim look at the Torah
with a halachic eye. The Torah is not just telling us stories, there are laws
that are meant to be drawn from there and if you read the narratives with that
keen lomdushe glasses you can reveal fascinating insights.
In
this week’s Torah portion we are told about the story of Moshe telling Hashem
that he can’t handle it all. The people are just too much trouble and it’s
getting too much. Hashem then tells Moshe not to worry and he orders him to gather
the 70 elders into the Ohelm Moed- the Tent of gathering by the Mishkan and
Hashem will increase Moshe’s prophecy and and place it upon them and he will no
longer be alone.
What
happens is next is curious. The elders go and begin to prophesize there. The
problem is that two of them Eldad and Meidad stayed behind. They didn’t feel
they were worthy enough. Well, it seems that it didn’t help them too much because
Hashem’s spirit rested upon them there in the camp and boom they started prophesizing
as well in the camp. What was their prophecy? “Moshe will die and Yehoshua will
bring us into Israel”. Ouch!
Now
Yehoshua wasn’t so happy with this so he went running to tell Moshe. Hey, the
boys are prohecizing in the camp. “Make an end of them!” Moshe however benevolently
responds Are you being jealous for me Would that eniter nation of Hashem could
be prophets if Hashem passes his spirit on them.
So
that’s the story. Lets’ examine it with Halachic eyes.
What
was Yehoshua’s problem and what was Moshe’s response. Was it wrong for them to
prophecize? Reb Chaim Brisker says that seemingly the law is that one is not
allowed to withhold prophecy. There is a law that if someone has a prophecy he
is obligated to say it. In fact if he doesn’t’ he could be punished. So what
did Yehoshua want them to do. If that’s what the prophecy was how can he be
upset for them saying it?
Now
you can’t say that the prophecy wasn’t real, because the Torah tells us that
Hashem rested His spirit upon them and even Moshe recognized it was for real. Seemingly
that’s what Moshe tells him, what does he mean are you being zealous on my
behalf. What’s up?
Reb
Chaim answers that if you read the story carefully Hashem certainly gave them
the prophecy and they were obligated to say it, however Hashem specifically
told them it was meant to be given over in the Tent of the Gathering. It wasn’t
a prophecy that was meant to be said in the camp to the masses. That being the
case the fact that they did say it over in the camp was not a fulfillment of
their mitzva to recite the prophecy that was given to them and it was an
affront to the honor of Moshe. They could’ve fulfilled their obligation to
recite the prophecy in the Tent where it was meant to be given. And thus
Yehoshua was upset on behalf of the honor of Moshe that was slighted by their
revealing the prophecy that Moshe would not bring the Jews into Israel in the camp.
Moshe
told him though that the law is that a Rabbi is permitted to forgive a slight
to his honor. And therefore since he took no offense there was no problem with them
reciting the prophecy in the camp. Pretty eye-opening, isn’t it? The laws of prophets, the laws of honouring
your Rabbi and his ability to forgive. That’s the way a lamdan learns!
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S ERA’S
AND THEIR PLACES AND PEOPLE IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK
Division of the Land –Tribe of Naftali 1265 BC –
And now for my home-area and favourite part of Israel, the portion of Naftali.
In the Torah one of the views that Moshe saw from Mt. Nevo into Israel was the Eretz
Naftali- the land of Naftali, which is not only the entire Upper Galile and
much of the Lower Galil but it also includes the Galile Panhandle
up to in middle of Lebanon and even across the Jordan river into
what is today the Golan. They even got the Kinneret. Not a bad
deal at all!
The cities mentioned
that belonged to Naftali have many of the names of cities there today. There is
Yavni’el, Tavor, Chakuk, They have Chamat which is where the Chamei
Tiverya- the hot springs are located today. In the Etzba Hagalil
they have the cities of Kadesh and Chatzor. They even mention the
city of Beit Shemesh, which is obviously not the same Beit Shemesh as in
the Shfela but rather archaeologists suggest that it may be where Madj El Shams
in the Golan might have gotten its name from. Of course as well the Kinneret
is mentioned.
I always like to point
out to my tourists when we head up the road to Meron we pass by two settlements
Amirim and Shefer. Where do those names come from? In fact they are part of the
blessing of Yaakov to Naftali –
Ayala Shlucha Hanosein Imrei
Shefer-
He is like a swift ram who’s words are beautiful
The villages Amirim
and Shefer come from that blessing. Imrei Shefer. And thus you know that
you are in the portion of Naftali. It’s cool in Israel that way figuring out
the connections to the tribes by the names of the cities or villages in that area.
Everything here has meaning, even the names of our cities and towns. Biblical meaning
of course.
RABBI
SCHWARTZ’S JEWISH JOKES OF THE WEEK
Rabbi
Greenberg was known for his lengthy sermons, noticed Berel get up and leave
during the middle of his speech. Berel returned just before the conclusion of
the service. Afterwards the Rabbi asked him where he had gone.
"I
went to get a haircut," was the reply.
"But," said the Rabbi,
"why didn't you do that before the service?"
"Because," Berel said, "I didn't need
one then."
Rabbi
Rosenberg was in the midst of one of his infamous lengthy sermons when all of
the sudden, a large plant fell over right behind the pulpit, crashing to the
ground.
Rabbi
Rosenberg turned around to see what transpired, then turned back to the
congregation, smiled sheepishly and said, "Well, that’s the first time
I put a plant to sleep."
A
Rabbi, a cantor, and a synagogue president were driving to a seminar when they
were kidnapped. The highjackers asked the three of them to hand over all of
their money and jewellery. When they replied that they hadn't any, the
hijackers told them that immediately after their last wishes were fulfilled,
they would be killed.
"My
last wish," began the Rabbi, is to give a fascinating, complicated, long
sermon that I have always wanted to but never been allowed to give."
"We
will grant your wish," the hijackers replied.
"My
last wish," said the cantor, "is to sing a beautiful, Yemenite style
song, one of my own compositions lasting two hours. I have never been allowed
to sing it."
"We'll
let you sing it," replied the hijackers.
"What
is your last wish," the hijackers asked the shul president.
"Please,
please shoot me now."
After
a performance a cantor - trying to impress- tells the crowd that his voice is
insured with Lloyds of London for 1 million dollars. A voice from the back of
the room says "so what did you do with the money?"
"JFK? What does that mean?", I asked.
Baila answered politely, "Just for Kiddush.
Baila answered politely, "Just for Kiddush.
A
Rabbi was giving a speech and as Rabbis sometimes do, kept going on and on, and
after going way over time he stopped and realized and he apologized saying
"I'm sorry, I left my watch at home". One disrespectful guy in the
crowd yelled, "But Rabbi, you have a calendar right in front of you!"
Yankel listened to the Rebbe at shul
one Shabboss morning and when the Rebbe asked those with special requests to
come to him at Seuda Shlisheet/(3rd meal) , Yankel came.
When it was his turn, Yankel sat down and the Rebbe asked, "What do you want me to help you with?"
Yankel said, "Pray for my hearing, Rebbe."
The Rebbe put one hand over Yankel's ear and his other hand on top of his head and prayed a while.
Then he removed his hands and asked, "Yankel, how is your hearing now?"
Yankel answered, "I don't know, Rebbe. It's next Wednesday at the courthouse!"
When it was his turn, Yankel sat down and the Rebbe asked, "What do you want me to help you with?"
Yankel said, "Pray for my hearing, Rebbe."
The Rebbe put one hand over Yankel's ear and his other hand on top of his head and prayed a while.
Then he removed his hands and asked, "Yankel, how is your hearing now?"
Yankel answered, "I don't know, Rebbe. It's next Wednesday at the courthouse!"
************
Answer is A– I got this one right as well. Not
that I remembered it from my course, but rather because I remembered the
question from one of the previous tests that I studied. I probably could have
deducted it though. David it certainly wasn’t because it was always opened. Kidron,
which flows down from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea is still pretty polluted and I
remember them telling us that. I don’t know much about Yagur besides that its
an intersection that I used to turn off of to stay on the 70 by Yokenea’am to
get home to Karmiel. But Alexander sounded would have been my guess if I had to
guess and it is the right answer. It actually won the international River award
for cleaning it up in 2003. Incidentally in
a recent study they found there are more than 50 million pollutants that
still remain in the river. So you decide if you want to go swimming there. So the
score is Schwartz 25 and
6 for MOT (Ministry of Tourism) on this exam so far.
