Parashat Bechukotai, 27 Iyar, 5779 | June 1, 2019

TheTorahAnyTimesfrom TorahAnytime.com

Rabbi Zecharia TheTorahAnyTimes is a publication of Wallerstein

Two Acceptances, One Marriage Compiled and Edited by Elan Perchik

s I am accustomed, every Until the night of her engage- IN THIS ISSUE year before going up to Mer- ment, she mentioned to her chassan Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein on on Lag Ba’Omer, I visit what had happened. “So what did A Two Acceptances, One Marriage my , R’ Gamliel Rabinowitz. you accept upon yourself?” he asked. Rabbi Yoel Gold Two years ago, he said to me, “Accept Although she had told no one else, I Remember You something upon yourself, and what- she confided in him. “I accepted that Rabbi Shlomo Farhi ever you need, Hashem will answer five minutes before Shabbos I would Learning from the Flowers you.” be ready.” Her chassan was speech- With me that year was my young- less. “What? What did you say?” he DEDICATIONS est daughter, Hindi. “If you’d like to asked, fumbling his words. “I accept- become a kallah,” R’ Gamliel added, ed upon myself that five minutes be- L’iluy Nishmat “go up to Meron with your father, fore Shabbos I would be ready.” R’ Elchonon Yaakov z”l ben R’ Shmuel accept something upon yourself, “You are not going to believe this,” Pinchos write it down, and keep to it very he said. “Last year, I also went to R’ Manish ben Esther closely. You will see, that next year Gamliel, and he told me, ‘If you want Meir Eliyahu ben Yaakov Dov on Lag Ba’Omer, you will know your to know who your kallah is on next Bechor ben Rivkah chassan.” year’s Lag Ba’omer, accept something What surprised her and my entire upon yourself.’ After I was told this, I Shlomo Zalman ben R’ Mordechai Yisroel Tzvi family was that R’ Gamliel said that wrote down on a piece of paper that Esther bat on the very day of Lag Ba’Omer, she from now on, I will make sure that I haRav Avraham Halevi zt”l will know her who she will marry. am ready five minutes before Shab- Moshe Simcha ben Doniel Dov Ber And that is exactly what happened. bos.” Miriam bat Yeshayahu One year later, on Lag Ba’omer, she They had both accepted to do the got engaged. same thing without knowing about Malka Bracha bat Shimon Chaim But Hindi never told her chassan each other. Lag Ba’omer is an espe- anything about what had transpired cially auspicious day to take some- L’refuah Sheleima with R’ Gamliel and her personal thing new on and commit to it. And Deena bat Shoshana . it really works. Chaya Raizel bat Dena Yerachmiel Eliyahu Ben Esther Riva Reuven ben Rochel Rabbi Yoel Gold Itai ben Orna I Remember You Menachem Moshe Ben Chana Gittel

or Chana Weinstock, a 23-year- Having gotten sick and bogged down old girl studying abroad in Is- with a headache, she decided to re- To add your dedication, Frael, her stay over Shabbos in turn back to her normal living quar- email [email protected] Tzefat was not the most pleasant. ters in Har Nof and rest up. There

The TorahAnyTimes Parashat Bechukotai 5779 1 she would hopefully recover from of Ramadan and everyone was home ing or the like, she began heading her cold and regain her strength. breaking their fast, she was at a loss in its direction. She told herself that But then the phone rang. It was to explain why just about no one was she would pretend to be a Pro-Pal- one of Chana’s good friends from out in the street. But now, how this estinian, UCLA student from Cali- Chaifa, calling for a favor. “Chana, if ever happened became clearer to fornia who believed in social justice you would be able to help me, I am Chana. Amid her frenzied state, she and was in the process of writing working on a project for my com- had mistakenly gotten on an Arab a report on the Palestinian life and pany, and I need a picture of the blue-and-white bus, mistaking it for working for their cause. That would Temple Mount from a certain angle an Israeli bus due to its colors. be her best shot at presenting herself while standing on Har HaZeitim. I Now stuck in East at in a neutral way and perhaps earning know you have a knack for this, so I night by herself, Chana began to the pity and succor of someone. was wondering if you would be able panic. Barely any lights were shining Knocking on the door, Chana’s to help me get this picture.” After from the shuttered-up houses, all the heart fluttered as she awaited a re- hearing of her friend’s predicament, street lamps were dark, and posters sponse. And then the door opened. Chana replied that she would gladly were plastered on the walls high- Standing before her was a 19-year- do her best to help, despite being a lighting different Palestinian heroes. old Palestinian girl wearing a hijab. bit under the weather. Nothing more was needed to make “Chana?” the Palestinian girl called Chana proceeded to get up and Chana conclude that she was in trou- out. Caught off guard, Chana looked ready herself to take the bus. As she ble. back at the girl in confusion, hav- finally headed out the door, she spot- Chana immediately took out her ing expected to present herself as a ted where the bus would pick her up phone, hoping that someone could stranger from a college campus. But and take her to Shar Shechem, where help her get out of there. But that before Chana could further process she would board another bus to take option didn’t last long, as she looked the situation, the girl grabbed hold her to Har HaZeitim. Upon arriving down at her phone and, despondent- of Chana and pulled her inside, giv- in Shar Shechem, Chana got off the ly, saw that it was out of battery. She ing her a gigantic hug. Chana just bus and began walking to where she couldn’t have hoped for a worse sce- about froze in shock as to what was needed to be next. But now Chana nario to be in. Stranded in East Jeru- happening. The girl then pulled out felt a bit lightheaded, with her head salem alone with no way of contact- a card off the shelf and said in Ara- spinning and eyes blurred. Not feel- ing anyone. She didn’t know where bic-Hebrew, “Yesh li et ha’michtav – I ing so well, she got on the first blue to go or what to do. have the card.” and white bus that pulled up and Suddenly, Chana remembered… took a seat, knowing that her ride Chana started mumbling Tehil- Six months earlier, she had been would be short until she arrived at lim, as Jews have done throughout running a program in Israel for Aish Har HaZeitim where she needed. the ages when caught in unfavorable HaTorah in the King Solomon hotel. Yet, amid the fatigue Chana was conditions. She pleaded to Hashem With a large number of staff on-site, in, it wasn’t long before she fell fast that He help her at this time, when Chana would certainly meet difficul- asleep. quite literally, no one else could help ty reaching everyone and attending Twenty-five minutes later Chana her. to their needs and requests. Chana awoke. Looking out the window, she But realizing that she ought to therefore decided that she would immediately realized that she had make some personal effort in get- go the extra mile in extending her- gone far beyond her destination. ting herself out of the situation, self to connect with the many staff Getting off the bus, she crossed the she decided that she would look for members, from the highest to lowest. road and began heading back in the the house that looked the least Ara- And so, she bought herself a notepad direction she came from. But the bic. She would look for a house that and slowly made her way around streets were just about empty and had lights on the outside and grass the hotel, writing down each of the there was no bus stop in sight. Cha- in front nicely taken care of. If she staff member’s names, shift hours na kept on walking and walking un- ever wished to give herself a chance and position and interests. It was til she came across a settlement with of making it out safely, she needed to Chana’s best way of connecting to houses. And then she realized. She do something. everyone she would have otherwise was in East Jerusalem. Spotting one particular house overlooked. Unaware that it was the first night with no Palestinian pictures hang- After tallying up the names of ev-

The TorahAnyTimes Parashat Bechukotai 5779 2 eryone there, Chana’s list reached prepared, the one for the Pakistani warm greetings to all those around fifty staff members. Everyone’s girl was the last, given that Chana the table. name was noted, whether Jewish or had only met her some hours ago But Chana had no intention to non-Jewish, with a short description for just a brief period. But, notwith- stay around much longer. After a few about them which would assist Cha- standing the short introduction and moments of catching up, she asked na in relating personally to them. conversation, Chana wrote her a if there was a bus available which It was the last day of the program beautiful thank you note extending would take her back home. But, that Chana noticed a Pakistani girl her deep appreciation for her help. unanimously, she was told that there positioned in front of the coffee sta- Chana now stared at the same wasn’t. “But I’ll drive you to the bus tion. It was clear to Chana that she Pakistani girl she had crossed paths stop at Shimon HaTzaddik, if you’d was manning the coffee and tea area with months before. Except only like,” offered the girl’s uncle. and even clearer to her that she had now, it was in her home in East Je- Getting into the car, they made missed introducing herself to this rusalem. Those words, Yesh“ li et their way over to the security check- girl. ha’michtav – I have the card,” rang in point. The Israeli officer looked into Approaching her, Chana softly Chana’s ears. the car, noting the peculiar sight of began, “I haven’t seen you around; “Chana!” the girl exclaimed again. a clearly Jewish girl along with an I’m so sorry I missed you. What “What a surprise! I’m so happy to Arab man and woman. “Ha’kol b’sed- is your name?” The Pakistani girl see you!” Extending her hand to the er (is everything alright)?” he asked. looked back at Chana, touched that nearby shelf, she grabbed a hold of a “Yes,” Chana replied. “These are my a stranger was taking interest in her. card. “I still have what you gave me friends.” And with that, they kindly She introduced herself and began the last time I saw you!” Chana could dropped Chana off and sent her on explaining her plans for the future. not have been more shocked by the her way. “I’m on my way to medical school turn of events and what she was wit- Aside from the wondrous Divine in- and wish to become a doctor, but at nessing. It was the very last thing she tervention and protection which went the moment I am in need of a job and could have ever expected. into assuring Chana’s safety and surviv- money. And so, I found this position “Chana, come here,” the girl excit- al, what likewise stands out in this series here at the King Solomon hotel for edly motioned. Chana was led to the of events is Chana’s kindhearted char- the meantime.” girl’s dining room, where her entire acter and considerate attitude. She was For the rest of the day, as the many family was sitting down at the table, someone who stayed present and wrote guests and staff began turning out to breaking their fast of Ramadan. Sur- down everyone’s name, job and interests leave, Chana was busy writing thank prisingly or not, they all recognized and tried to connect with them all in a you cards to the many staff who had Chana and Chana recognized them. genuine and real way. It was that extra joined her in coordinating such a They had as well met Chana before, mile she went which made an ever-last- beautiful program. With little extra and now assumed that she had come ing impression on other people and money to give tips to the hard work- to visit them all. “It’s so nice to see touched them in a way that when help ing and dedicated staff, she decided you, Chana,” they all chimed in. Play- was needed, it was ready right behind that it would be nice to personally ing along with the scenario that she the door and in the envelope. thank each of them with a card. had intended to “visit them”, Cha- Of all the thank you cards Chana na graciously smiled and extended

ment of Maamad Har Sinai, when Rabbi Shlomo Farhi Hashem transmitted the Luchos and Learning from the Flowers the entirety of to the Jewish people. The earth became uniform- e are all so busy in life, we forget about what really matters ly silent and deeply still, as the Jews with many things to take to us. Take a moment and think to witnessed an overwhelming sight Wcare of on a daily basis. yourself, what are some of the best of booming thunder and lightning, Yet, as we will all readily admit, we ways you can show someone that raging fire and billowing smoke can never get so overly subsumed you really love them? which surrounded Mount Sinai. It in the hustle and bustle of life that The Torah describes the epic mo- was amid this magnificent scene that

The TorahAnyTimes Parashat Bechukotai 5779 3 Hashem Himself set forth the eter- the world, for upon that mountain Moriah as such, after the myrrh, pre- nal mission to the Jewish people to we assumed the role of the Chosen cisely because it appears as so minor become partners with Him in Cre- Nation of G-d and forever became and unimportant. Hashem means to ation and perpetuate His will in the the bearers and representatives of convey that in Yiddishkeit and by world. It was an unbelievable mo- G-d’s sanctified Name. But what His standards, what matters most ment wherein the greatest mission about Har HaMoriah? is not necessarily quantity and vol- of all history was handed down from The Zohar Parshas( Bo, 156) ex- ume, but quality and heart. The small Heaven to earth. plains that Mount Moriah is called things which are done go the longest Amidst this impressive scene, we such because of the Mor, or myrrh, ways. The extra effort you push your- are taught a very peculiar idea. The known to be a pleasant-smelling fra- self to daven with a minyan, the ex- Midrash relates that Mount Sinai grance, which grows there. In recog- tra thought put in as to how you can sprouted grass and flowers. And to nition of such myrrh, the mountain adhere to the details of a mitzvah, this very today, florists will tell you assumed such a name. and the extra care you take to endear that they are inundated with orders But the obvious question begs. and enhance Torah and Yiddishkeit from the Jewish communities during Why would such an important and for others mean the world. the days preceding Shavuos as we esteemed site be called after some- Those small gestures, which are buy flowers to fill our homes to com- thing which appears to be so relative- generally underappreciated or not memorate this phenomenon. Yet it ly insignificant or inconsequential? even appreciated by anyone, mean is quite strange. Why would this be Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to everything to Hashem. something which Hashem wished to call the mountain after something And that is exactly why Hashem draw our attention to? With every- which indicates dedication, sacrifice made a point of having flowers adorn thing going on at Har Sinai, no one or commitment? That would seem to Har Sinai. Yes, in the larger scheme would be to blame were the flow- be much more befitting considering of the Giving of the Torah, beauti- ers to go unnoticed. Why then did its stature. ful flowers are unimportant, but that Hashem make a point of having Har In truth, however, the name Har is precisely the message. What ap- Sinai full of beautiful flowers? HaMoriah perfectly fits the moun- pears to matter so little, matters so As seen in the Torah, there is an- tain. And that is because what com- much. That is what Hashem values other famous mountain in Jewish municates devotion and love most and what He wishes for us to value history other than Har Sinai. Har aptly are those things which often as well. HaMoriah serves as the holy site go unnoticed because they seem so Our relationship with Hashem whereupon the Akeidas Yitchak small and underrated. The flowers and with our spouses, children, fam- took place, and upon which the two you buy your spouse, the little note ily and friends works all in the same structures of the Beis Hamikdash you leave under their pillow and the way. The small expressions of love are stood and where the Third will soon small act of cleaning the dishes with- the greatest expressions of love. Do be rebuilt. It is a mountain of ex- out being asked. Those gestures are something small and you are doing treme holiness and sanctity. what develop and deepen the most something big. On the most momen- You may ask, though, what is the special of relationships. Those small tous day in the history of the world, etymology of Har HaMoriah? Why thoughts which convey care and this is one secret Hashem shared in fact is it named such? The Gemara concern speak far louder than gran- with us. Remember it for the rest of (Shabbos 89a) relates the Har Sinai diose acts which overwhelm all those your life, and you can rest assured is called such as it engendered the in sight. that all your relationships will always sinah, hatred, of the other nations of Hashem therefore named Har Ha- be blossoming as beautiful as ever.

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