Behar - Bechukosai   

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Shemitah: Belief in Creation ...... 4 Hefker ...... 5 "What Will We Eat" ...... 7 The Prohibition of Cheating in Business ...... 7 – לא תונו Emunah: A Segulah for Success ...... 8 Tragedy in Miron ...... 9 Turn to Hashem ...... 15 Honor the Poor...... 17 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai

Shemitah: Belief in Creation Moshe…" it means Hashem spoke with Moshe on Har Sinai. That's when the entire Next year is shemitah, which is the topic Torah was given. of this week's parashah. However, in this week's parashah, when The Chinuch (mitzvah 84) writes, "This the Torah discusses shemitah, the pasuk tells mitzvah plants in our hearts and clarifies in us that the mitzvah was given on Har Sinai. our minds that Hashem created the world. ,וידבר ה' אל משה בהר סיני ,(As it states (25:1 Because Hashem created the world in six "Hashem spoke with Moshe at Har Sinai…" days and rested on the seventh day [so we also work six years and rest on the sabbatical Why are these words necessary? year]. We must uproot the thoughts of the Why" ,מה ענין שמיטה אצל הר סיני ,apikorsim, those who deny the Torah, and As Rashi asks say the world always existed…" does the Torah associate shemitah with Har And weren't all ,והלא כל המצות נאמרו מסיני ?Sinai The punishment for transgressing of the mitzvos said at Sinai!" shemitah is galus.1 The Sfas Emes answers that it is to tell us Why is transgressing shemitah punished that by keeping shemitah we become pure so severely? and holy, just as when we stood at Har Sinai.

Reb Henoch of Alexander zt'l (Chashvah We will explain: explains that this is because for (ד"ה אז l'Tovah a whole year shemitah reminds us that When the Jewish nation stood at Har Hashem created the world. Chalilah, if we Sinai to receive the Torah, they became like אני אמרתי ,(don't keep shemitah, we need another malachim. As it states (Tehillim 82:6 I said you are angels…" But then" ,אלקים אתם .reminder that Hashem created the world Therefore, Hashem sends us to galus and they worshiped the egel and fell from that reveals to us that the world is indeed His. high level. Since then, we are no longer like He created it, and He can take it away from the malachim. Nevertheless, there are times us. when we become like malachim. Such a time is Shabbos when we are like the malachim Hashem taught Moshe the entire Torah, who don't need to work. with all its details on Har Sinai (see Rashi beginning of parashah). When the Torah states, Additionally, during the shemitah year, Hashem spoke with we also resemble malachim. We don't work" ,וידבר ה' אל משה לאמר

Exile“ ,גלות באה לעולם על עובדי עבודה זרה, ועל גלוי עריות, ועל שפיכות דמים, ועל השמטת הארץ ,The Mishnah (Avos 5:9) states .1 comes for the aveiros of avodah zarah, adultery, murder, and for not keeping shemitah."

The seventy years of galus in" ,שבעים שנה של גלות בבל הן היו כנגד ע' שנות השמטה ויובל ,Similarly, Rashi (26:35) writes Bavel correspond to seventy years of shemitah and yovel" that the Yidden didn’t keep.

ואתכם אזרה בגוים... והיתה ארצכם שממה... כל ימי השמה תשבת את אשר לא שבתה ,(And it states in the tochachah (Bechukosai 26:33-35 I will disperse you among the goyim… Your land will be barren… The number of" ,בשבתתיכם בשבתכם עליה days that the land will be desolate corresponds the number of shemitos you didn’t keep." These sources prove that galus comes for not keeping shemitah. Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 5 the land, and we aren't worried about our return to the control and power that he once parnassah, thereby not involving ourselves had. Because now he humbly recognizes in the gashmiyos of this world. that everything is from Hashem.

The Sfas Emes explains that the Torah associates shemitah with Har Sinai because, Heϔker with the mitzvah of shemitah, we are like the והיתה שבת הארץ לכם ,malachim, just as we were when we stood at The Torah (25:6) says ,לאכלה, לך ולעבדך ולאמתך ולשכירך ולתושבים הגרים עמך .Har Sinai "You may eat from the produce that grows We can also explain that the Torah in the seventh year; also, your slaves, associates shemitah with Har Sinai because, maidservants, workers, and the people who just like then, our observance of shemitah live with you in your land" [even non-Jews]. everyone is“ ,הכל יהיה שוין בה ,proves the completeness of our emunah. Rashi explains Chazal tell us that when Hashem gave the equal.” This means no one can act like he is Torah to the Jewish nation, He opened up the owner of the crops. They are hefker. Whoever wants can come into the field and אין עוד all seven heavens and the Yidden saw .that there is only Hashem. Similarly, pick some fruit ,מלבדו as we explained, the purpose of shemitah is to teach us that Hashem created the world What does this aspect of shemitah teach there is none other than us? We discussed above that keeping the ,אין עוד מלבדו and Hashem. field fallow teaches us that Hashem created the world. But this halachah teaches us Shemitah is every seven years. After seven another lesson. It tells us that fruit can't shemitos pass (which is forty-nine years) comes grow if Hashem doesn't say it should. As the fiftieth year of yovel. The halachos of the Chinuch writes, "Hashem commanded yovel are similar to shemitah. We don't work us to be mafkir whatever grows that year… the land in yovel, as we don't work in so a person will remember that when the shemitah. And once again, a primary purpose field yields produce…it isn't that the earth of yovel is to remind us that Hashem created has the power or the segulah to give forth the world. fruit. Rather, there is a Master over the earth and over people. And when He wants, He One of the unique halachos of yovel is commands us to be mafkir the field hefker." that all fields sold during the forty-nine- year period are returned to their original Most people think the earth has the power to bring forth produce. The Chinuch ,ושבתם איש אל אחוזתו ,(owners. As it states (25:10 "Each man will return to his property." clarifies that without Hashem's help and Hashem's decree, nothing would grow. The אל אחזותו הוא שב ואיו ,Chazal (Toras Kohanim) teach .He returns to his portion of earth cannot produce anything on its own" ,שב לשררה שבידו land, but he doesn't return to his power and The mitzvah to be mafkir the produce helps control that he used to have." us remember that.

The Daas Sofer explains, after keeping And the truth is, scientifically, there isn't shemitah and yovel, one becomes aware that any rational explanation to explain how the Hashem is the creator and the ruler of the earth can grow food. Think about it: A land. Perhaps previously, he considered wheat kernel rots in the ground, and then, himself wealthy and powerful, but now he without adding any other ingredients other humbly realizes that everything he owns than rain and sunlight, the seed grows and comes from Hashem. This is the meaning of develops. It becomes a tall wheat stalk, carrying many wheat kernels, each with the ,אל אחוזתו הוא שב ואין שב לשררה שבידו ,the Chazal he returns to his property, but he doesn't potential to grow more wheat stalks. Isn't 6 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai this wondrous? How do water, sun, and creation and writes, "Although you see these soil achieve that?2 wonders all the time…and you know what to expect, don't let this take away from the Scientists can explain several aspects of immense wonderment you should have how things grow, but most of the process when you see them… People are amazed remains a mystery. And even if scientists when they see new wonders that they aren't knew a hundred times more than they know accustomed to but aren't stunned when they today, they still wouldn't understand how see the sun and the moon, rain falling and things grow because, ultimately, it is a winds blowing, and other matters that they miracle. As the Chinuch writes, "It isn't that are accustomed to seeing. They recognize the earth has the strength or the segulah to the wonders of creation when they see the give forth fruit. Rather, there is a Master sea with its waves, storms, and the many over the earth…" fish [because they aren't accustomed to these Therefore, when you grab a fruit, and miracles]. But they aren't shocked when they you are about to mumble a borei pri ha'eitz, see rivers and brooks flowing without stop. or when a dish of good food is placed before There are many other examples. Therefore, you, realize you are looking at a miracle. my brother, think about everything Hashem The rules of nature couldn't create this created. Think about the aspects of creation without Hashem. that are new to you and think about those matters you are accustomed to seeing. Don't But we don't recognize the miracle be foolish and ignore the wonders that you because we are so accustomed to seeing it. are accustomed to seeing. Because now that you are older and your intelligence has (וארא ד"ה ולקחתי אתכם) The Chasam Sofer zt'l developed, it is proper that you should think writes that the Yidden who left Mitzrayim about creation as though you never saw it knew, since their youth, that grains and before. Imagine that you were blind until fruits grow out of the earth. Therefore, when today, and you are seeing these wonders for they saw the manna raining down from the very first time… Do so, and you will see heaven, they couldn't contain their the Creator's wonders… As a scholar said, excitement. "Food is falling from heaven!" 'The wise have eyes, and they see what the they shouted. "We never saw anything like fools don't see.'" it before!" But what about the children who were Chazal (Sotah 48:) say, "Whoever has bread born in the desert? They didn't consider the in his basket and says, 'But what will I eat he has a low ,מקטני אמנה manna a miracle because they were tomorrow?' he is accustomed to it from their youth. When level of emunah." This is because if he had a they came to Eretz Yisrael and saw food higher level of emunah, he wouldn't worry growing out of the earth, they were amazed. about tomorrow. Just as Hashem helped you "Food is growing from the earth!" they today, Hashem will help you tomorrow. shouted excitedly. "Who would imagine such a thing? How great is Your creation, Yissachar Dov of zt'l taught Hashem!" another way to read this Gemara. He says that the person who isn't worried about The Chovas HaLevavos (Cheshbon HaNefesh today has low emunah. Although he has 3:23) discusses the wonders that we see in bread, that doesn't mean he can eat it.

2. Today, with the microscope, millions of wonders can be found in each detail of creation. And that is just the beginning. There are yet many more miracles to discover. Despite the many advances in science, they didn’t yet skim the surface of all the wonders that are in each detail of creation. Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 7

Nothing is guaranteed. One can't do anything new channel of parnassah for you. Your without Hashem's aid, and he must always worries ruined your original channel, so I turn his eyes to Hashem. will create a new channel through which you will have parnassah." "What Will We Eat" We quote the Noam Elimelech: וכי תאמרו מה נאכל ,(The Torah writes (25:20 ,If you will ask what will we eat "When Hashem created the world" ,בשנה השביעית in the seventh year?" Hashem created channels to send down the bounty, to fill people's needs. These channels This seems to be a valid question, since if remain open, and the bounty descends. we don't work the field in shemitah, what However, when a person doesn't have will we eat? bitachon due to his impure worries, the Many people ask the same question, until bounty stops, chalilah. Now Hashem must today. They wonder, "What will we eat? create a new sourse of bounty. How will we manage? I'm not making ;וכי תאמרו ,enough money." "This is the meaning of the pasuk the Torah is teaching that he should have ,מה יאכל ,By worrying and doubting Hashem's perfect bitachon. He should never ask ability, one prevents the bounty from coming 'What will we eat?' because [due to his down. One must work on his bitachon, live question] he is obligating Heaven to toil3 to without stress, and then he will undoubtedly make a new command for bounty… have parnassah. Therefore, don't ask questions, trust in Hashem with all your heart, and then the I heard that this is hinted to in the pasuk bounty will come to you always, and nothing .חסדי ה' כי לא תמנו ,(Eichah 3:22) will be lacking." ,So .וכי תאמר מה נאכל is roshei teivos for תמנ"ו The Prohibition of Cheating in – לא תונו What" ,מה נאכל means we don't ask לא תמנ"ו Business חסדי ,will we eat?" And when we don't ask .we will receive Hashem's kindness ,ה' ,לא תונו איש את עמיתו ,(The Torah tells us that if people will ask The Torah writes (25:14 which means it is forbidden to cheat in וצויתי את ברכתי לכם בשנה "?What will we eat" I will command my blessings on the business. For example, you can't sell" ,השישית sixth year," and the crops of the sixth year something for a higher than the going rate, will last for the sixth, seventh, and even for and you can't sell something that's broken the eighth year. while telling the consumer that the item is in good, working condition. The pasuk ולא תונו איש את עמיתו ויראת מאלקיך ,(Rebbe Zusha of Anipoli zt'l (quoted in concludes (25:17 fear Hashem, because I am…" ,כי אני ה' אלקיכם Noam Elimelech) explains that it is better when ".Because when we have Hashem your G-d .מה נאכל we don't ask bitachon, the bounty will come down. When we ask questions, and when we worry, Why is fearing Hashem mentioned by ?I will create a this mitzvah" ,וצויתי את ברכתי Hashem says

he is causing Heaven the tirchah, toil, to create" ,ואטרחו כלפי שמיא לצוות מחדש ,In the Noam Elimelech's words .3 a new channel of parnassah."

We should refrain from worrying and asking, "what will we eat?" so we don’t cause Hashem this tirchah of creating a new bounty for us. 8 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai

and also be employed because Hashem will ,כי אני הוי"ה אלקיכם ,The pasuk also says is Hashem's name for compassion. Why compassionately return to Shimon the הוי"ה is Hashem's name of compassion mentioned money that he lost. here? The Maharal Tzinz adds: The Maharal Tzinz zt'l (Melo HaOmer) explains that when Reuven cheats Shimon Let's say you know that Reuven stole and takes Shimon's money wrongfully money od did other corrupt deeds to attain (against the rules of the Torah), it is as though the money of others. And you know that Reuven is forcing Hashem to do two things: Hashem will certainly take all that money (1) Hashem has to take away from Reuven away from him, as it is money that wasn't the money he earned improperly. (2) Hashem destined for Reuven on Rosh Hashanah. So, will also need to reimburse Shimon's loss. you figure you might as well quicken the process of lessening Reuven's money, and .(אונאת ממון) Because it is determined on Rosh you cheat him in business Hashanah how much money one will earn אני ,and how much money one will lose. That To counter that logic, the Torah writes Hashem says: "Leave these matters ,ה' אלקיכם means Reuven has extra money, more than what was destined for him, and Shimon has up to me. It isn't your responsibility to help a loss that wasn't destined on Rosh Hashanah. remove someone from his extra money. Let Hashem take care of that." be afraid of ,ויראת מאלקיך ,The Torah writes ,מרבה נכסים מרבה דאגה ,Hashem. You must fear Hashem and refrain Chazal (Avos 2:7) say from cheating your fellow man because you "When one increases his assets, his worries don't know by which means the excess increase." The Ksav Sofer zt'l explains that money will be taken away from you. Perhaps this refers to a person who strived very hard through unexpected medical expenses, or to earn more money than the amount that perhaps via government taxes (see Bava Basra was decreed for him on Rosh Hashanah. He 10). Fear Hashem and fear the trouble you took on night jobs, worked hard, etc. Even if might have to endure in getting the money he succeeded and earned extra money, it back to its rightful owner. will be taken away from him. The Mishnah if he works very hard to ,מרבה נכסים ,teaches Someone once stole a hundred dollars. he will end up ,מרבה דאגה ,make more money The next day, he slipped, broke his foot, and with many worries. He might need to go to the doctor charged him a hundred dollars. the doctor, and he might undergo other The patient thought to himself, "It's a good hardships, so he won't end up with more thing I stole a hundred dollars yesterday. money than is rightfully his. Now I can pay this bill easily." He doesn't know that if he didn't steal the hundred dollars, he wouldn't have fallen and broken Emunah: A Segulah for Success his foot. He broke his foot, so he won't have more than the quota set for him on Rosh The Divrei Yisrael () zt'l on the אם בחוקתי תלכו... ונתתי גשמיכם בעתם (Hashanah.4 pasuk (26:3-4 writes, "There is nothing better for parnassah This means than emunah." Emunah is a segulah that results .אני הוי"ה אלקיכם ,The Torah adds .compassion, will in parnassah ,הוי"ה Hashem's attribute of

4. Sometimes, the money does remain with him. This is when it was destined on Rosh Hashanah that he should get this bonus. His fault is that he took it in forbidden ways. Had he acted according to the Torah, he would have received the same amount of money, in permitted ways. Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 9

The Mishnah (end of Kiddushin) states, why a) How should the chasan know so soon do animals have parnassah without difficulty, after his chasunah whether his wife is good but I must struggle for my parnassah? It must or bad? I did" ,שהרעתי מעשי וקפחתי את פרנסתי be that in" במערבא אמרי ,aveiros, and therefore my parnassah was cut b) The Gemara writes or מצא and lessened." Eretz Yisrael they say to the chasan Since they were asking a question, it ".מוצא In Eretz Yisrael" ,במערבא שאלי has in should state קפחתי The Divrei Yisrael says that ".wise. The Mishnah says they ask ,פקח it the letters that I don't have parnassah because I thought I was wise, and I relied on my clever ideas c) Why was it important for them to to earn me my parnassah. And when one know whether his wife was good or bad? believes and depends on Hashem, he will d) The Chofetz Chaim (1:13) discusses have parnassah in abundance. why this conversation doesn't involve lashon hara. if you believe ,אם בחקתי תלכו ,The Torah says 5 We can answer that they were telling the ונתתי ,that your parnassah is from Hashem you will have rain, parnassah, chasan that his success in marriage is ,גשמיכם בעתם and all your needs. dependent on his awareness that everything is when he believes ,מצא אשה .is from Hashem Emunah is a segulah for success in all that Hashem helped him find his wife. In areas of life. I found" is when one thinks" ,מוצא אני ,contrast that he found his wife on his own. If he The Gemara (Brachos 8.) writes that when someone got married in Eretz Yisrael, people believes he found his wife on his own, it will more bitter than death because he ,מר ממות be ?מצא או מוצא would right away ask the chasan doesn't have the segulah of emunah. Because is asking the chasan whether he found emunah is the segulah for success in shalom מצא 6 .bayis, parnassah, and in all aspects of life מצא ,(a good wife, as in the pasuk (Mishlei 18:22 when one finds a wife, he found" ,אשה מצא טוב is asking the chasan whether Tragedy in Miron מוצא good." And he married a bad wife, as in the pasuk (Koheles I find the wife Chol HaMoed Succos, Rebbe Shlomo" ,ומוצא אני מר ממות את האשה ,(7:26 I married bitterer than death." Leib Lenchana zt'l was leading a tish, and he was telling chassidim the following ideas: Let us ask some questions: "The entire world isn't worth a krechtz. Our

.is parnassah חק One of the translations of .5

Prepare" ,ותקננו בעצה טובה מלפניך ,Rebbe Bunim of Pshischa zt'l (Imrei HaRim Beshalach) teaches that when we pray .6 because ,עצתו אמונה (us with good counsel" we are asking for emunah, as we say (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur when we have emunah, we will automatically find the right counsel, and Hashem will direct us on the best path.

People often say, "These are hard times for parnassah. In the past, it was easier, but now we came upon hard times." Their mistake is that they think the "time" is the problem. Tt isn't the "times," rather the extent the times (good or bad) are according to your ,והיו אמונת עתיך ,(of emunah he possesses. As it states (Yeshayah 33:6 emunah.

Reb Yitzchak of Neshchiz zt'l asked, since parnassah comes from emunah, why are there people who don’t believe in Hashem, and yet they have parnassah? The answer is, Hashem has rachmanus on them. But according to how things should be, it is hard to have parnassah without emunah. 10 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai destiny is Olam HaBa. Therefore, we The tragedy in Miron broke everyone's shouldn’t be upset about matters that happen heart. There are no words that can stop our in this world. We should keep our focus on moaning and krechtzing. The pain is too the goal, on Olam HaBa." severe, too fresh. But even as we cry, let our minds grasp the emunah that (a) it didn’t Just then, a bench broke. It couldn’t carry happen by chance. (b) Hashem loves us. (c) the weight of the many people standing on It was for the good. Let's discuss these three it. Some of the chasidim fell and were points: injured, and also the Rebbe was hit and injured from the broken bench. The Rebbe A) It didn’t Happen by Chance emitted a krechtz because of the pain. Rebbe Shlomke of would often say: People claim they believe in Hashem, but One of the chassidim asked, "Why is the the test is when they go through hard times. Rebbe krechtzing? Didn’t the Rebbe say this Do they believe in Hashem also then? world isn't worth a krechtz?" במדבר הזה אשר ראית (It states (Devarim 1:31-32 In this" ,אשר נשאך ה' אלקיך כאשר ישא איש את בנו The Rebbe replied, "It is exactly so. The world isn't worth a krechtz. But when it desert you saw that Hashem carried you ובדבר הזה אינכם …hurts, one shouts from pain." like a father carries his son but for this matter, you ,מאמינים בה' אלקיכם What is the explanation? If there is no aren't believing in Hashem." When Hashem reason to moan, why may one moan when is taking care of all your needs – figuratively, he is in pain? mon falls down from heaven to sustain you, ,ענני הכבוד you are protected with the The Beis Yisrael of Gur zt'l repeated this everything is going your way – it isn't hard story, and he explained that there are many to believe in Hashem. As the Chozeh of parts to man: He has a mind, he has feelings, בדבר הזה אינכם מאמינים בה' , zt'l taught and he has natural human tendencies and this isn't called emunah. The test is to ,אלקיכם reflexes. It is a natural reflex and reaction to believe in Hashem even when things don’t krechtz and to shout when one is in pain. But seem right, and you don’t understand why even then, his mind and intellect should these things are happening to you. remember that this world isn't so important that we should moan over it. Immediately following the tragedy, fingers were being pointed, as people sought The same applies to our emunah that to find the culprit. As the days pass, more everything is for the good. We would assume accusations are being made, and everyone that when one has that emunah he will never has an opinion. But let us remember that moan and krechtz, but it isn't always so. ultimately it happened because it was Feelings remain feelings, and when one is in decreed from Above. It couldn’t have pain, he shouts. happened otherwise. Nevertheless, at least the mind should Reb Yechiel Michel Feinstein's zt'l always remember the truth. The mind should daughter suffered from a severe case of accept that everything is for the good.7 asthma. The family had three nebulizers in

7. A father takes his son to the dentist. It is natural that the son will cry during the treatments. The father will encourage the son to be brave, and he will try to comfort him, but he won't be upset with his son when he cries. But if the son tells his father, "Why did you bring me here? Why are you doing this to me?" the father will get upset. The son should trust that his father brought him to the dentist for the child's benefit. Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 11 the house, so there would always be at least Reb Nota Zehnwirth replied, "That is one available in case of an asthma attack. exactly what I wanted to hear." And then המקום ,Reb Nota stood up, said the brachah and left. His message was ינחם אתכם ,One night, their daughter had an attack and the family was franticly looking for the understood. As painful as it is, everything nebulizers, but they couldn’t find any of happens by Hashem’s decree. them. They called Hatzalah. By the time they came, she had already died. Only then Reb Leibke Glauberman zt'l was one of they find the machines. All three of them the Yerushalayimer tzaddikim. (In his younger were under her bed. They didn’t think of years, he was among the chassidim of the Yanuka looking there. The family was inconsolable. zy'a, Rebbe Yisrael of Stolin zy'a). In his old age, They asked themselves, “Why weren’t we his legs were sick, and the doctors decided wiser and store the machines in a place they must amputate them. Reb Leibke where we will always find them? And why accepted Hashem's decree, and he was didn’t we think to look under her bed?” brought in for the operation, while his children waited outside the operating room. Reb Yaakov Galinsky zt'l came to be After the operation, a doctor told the children menachem avel. He told the family, "My that they made a mistake; the operation taught that the concept of hishtadlus wasn’t really necessary. They could have is only about the future; not about the past. saved his legs. "But it is too late now," the After something happened, one must believe doctor said, "What's done is done." that whatever occurred was exactly as Hashem planned it, and nothing could have Reb Leibka's children were angry with been done to change it. The person who the doctors for making this terrible error. placed the breathing machines under the When Reb Leibka woke up they told him bed isn't guilty, and the family members that it was all a mistake. "Your legs didn’t who didn’t think of looking there aren't need amputation." guilty either. This was Hashem's plan, and Reb Leibke replied, "I heard from my nothing people did or did not do could have holy Rebbe, the Yanuka: 'Volt ich, zolt ich [if changed it". only I would have done things differently…] Only after they heard these words, were is apikorsus.' Everything is destined from they ready to accept condolences. heaven. The doctors may say that an illness such as I had didn’t call for an amputation. Approximately twenty five years ago, a But my foot needed to be amputated bachur from Yeshivas Chevron was nonetheless because that was decreed from murdered by Arabs. Reb Nota Zehnwirth Above. It wouldn’t have happened if it zt'l came to be menachem avel the father. As wasn't Hashem's will." soon as Reb Nota sat down, he asked the The tochachah is written in this week's father, "Had Avraham Avinu slaughtered parashah, and again in parashas Ki Savo. One Yitzchok at the akeidah, would Avraham difference between the writing of the two Avinu need to sit shivah for him?" tochachos is that in this week's parashah there "Of course, he would," the aveil replied. are some words of comfort to the Jewish ואף גם ,(Why shouldn’t he?" nation. For example, it states (26:44-45" זאת בהיותם בארץ אויביהם לא מאסתים ולא געלתים לכלותם... Also when you will be" ,וזכרתי להם ברית ראשונים ,I have my doubts," Reb Nota explained" "because the akeidah and the death were in the lands of your enemies, I will not be Hashem's will…" The father replied, "Every disgusted with you, to destroy you… I will death is Hashem's will. Whenever someone remember the covenant that I made with the dies it is Hashem's decree, and yet, there is avos…" Whereas, in the tochachah of parashas an obligation to sit shivah." Ki Savo there are no comforting words. 12 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai

Another difference between the tochachos to do better, but the results couldn’t have is that in Ki Savo, Hashem's name appears been different.8 ידבק ה'.. ,amidst the harsh rebuke. As it states but in this week's parashah, Hashem's When the Baal Shem of Michelstadt zt’l ,יתן ה' name isn't mentioned. was a mere five years old, people were already talking about his amazing wisdom. It is repeated in the name of the Chasam These amazing reports reached the count of Sofer zt'l that Parashas Ki Savo's Tochacha Michelstadt, and he asked that the child be doesn't need any comforting words because brought to him. He wanted to see with his that everything own eyes the amazing wisdom of this ידבק ה' when one remembers is coming from Hashem, that is the greatest wunderkint. comfort. Everything He does is for the good At the designated time and date, the child of His people. Whereas in this week's approached the count’s castle, and took in parashah, since Hashem's name isn't its magnificence and beauty from the outside, mentioned, one doesn't recognize clearly and then the child entered. The child noted that the tochachah is from Hashem, and that although the castle had many rooms therefore, he needs to be comforted. and floors, no one was around. He would have to find the count on his own. Reb Michoel Ber Weismandl zt'l, who saved many people from the Holocaust, had It didn’t take long at all, and the child a plan, which could have potentially saved knocked at a door. “Good day, honorable thousands of Yidden from the Holocaust, count.” but (as is sadly known) there were some The count was astounded. “How did you irreligious American Jews, who cruelly and know I was here?” “When I looked at the selfishly prevented him. castle from the outside, I saw that the drapes on all the windows were drawn open, to let Reb Michoel Ber was devastated and in the sunlight. But one room had the curtain poured his broken heart out to Rebbe Yosef closed. I understood that you were there, Yitzchak of Lubavitch zy'a (the Maharyatz). watching me from behind the curtains.” The The Rebbe said one statement, which Reb count had told all his staff that they shouldn’t Michoel Ber later admitted, changed his be around to direct the boy. This was how entire outlook, and revived his broken spirit. he wanted to test the boy’s wisdom. And the The Rebbe said, "And who did all of this?" boy passed the test with flying colors. This too was from Hashem. Those cruel people who prevented the salvation were Years later, the of certainly punished, because they had freewill Michelstadt zt’l repeated this story, and he

8. A family moved into a home near the forest. The father said to his young son, "Don’t ever climb over the gate because there are wild animals, and even lions, in the forest."

The child didn’t listen, and he climbed over the gate. The father quickly put ona lion costume and followed his son. He wanted to scare him, so his son wouldn’t ever go into the forest again. The child saw the 'lion' approaching and shouted,"Father! Father! Help me! There's a lion! There's a lion!" The lion came closer, bit the screaming child, and the child ran home crying. "Father, you won't believe what happened to me. I was in the forest, and a lion bit me. I called for you, butyou didn’t come. Where were you?"

"Where was I?" the father repeated, "I was the lion."

We are so aware of Hashem's infinite compassion, and we know that Hashem loves every Yid like an only son, and much more than that. That is why it is hard for us to imagine that the hardships also come from Him. But the truth is that everything comes from Hashem. Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 13 explained, “Whenever one is going through would never go there. But since she lives hard times and he feels that the curtains of there, he considers it like a perfume market, heaven were drawn closed, that's a sign that where the best scents of the world are sold. Hashem is watching you even closer.” ואף גם :[This is what the pasuk is saying]" Even when they will' ,זאת בהיותם בארץ אוביהם B) Hashem Loves Us live in the lands of their enemies,' which the Even when going through hard times, we lands of galus have a terrible stench, like a mustn’t forget that Hashem still loves us. I will not be ,לא מאסתים ולא געלתים ,tannery ,לכלתם At the end of the tochachah, the Torah disgusted with her. And the reason is She is my .[כלה because I love her [like a ואף גם זאת בהיותם בארץ אויביהם לא ,(tells us (26:44 beloved, and she lives there. For me, it is as מאסתים ולא געלתים לכלותם להפר בריתי אתם כי אני ה' Even if the tochachah will come to if the best perfumes of the world are there" ,אלקיכם fruition [nevertheless] when they will be in because my kallah is there. the lands of their enemies, I will not be disgusted with them to destroy them, and to "Rebi Yosi replied, 'If we came here just annul my covenant with them, because I am to hear this vort, it would be enough." Hashem, your G-d." The Zohar (vol.2 p.5:) states, "If the Jewish Even though we were banished because nation knew how much Hakadosh Baruch of our aveiros, and we are now living in Hu loves them, they would roar like a lion non-Jewish lands, Hashem still loves us. to chase after Hashem." This is the lesson of the pasuk, to know that Hashem loves us. He The Zohar (vol.3 115:) elaborates on this never abandons us, even when we are in pasuk: galus. Rebi Chiya said: "I heard a new lesson is yearning לכלתם Another translation of לא מאסתים -from Rebi Elazar: The pasuk writes According to this translation, the .(כלות הנפש) usually is לכלותם The word .ולא געלתים לכלתם וארא ד"ה וידבר ,Ropshitzer Rav zt'l (Zera Kodesh meaning 'To destroy ,וא"ו spelled with a ואף גם זאת :explains the pasuk as follows (משה them.' In this pasuk the word is written even when you are very ,בהיותם בארץ אויביהם I' ,לא מאסתים ולא געלתים without a vav, saying I ,לא מאסתים ולא געלתים ,distant from Hashem will not be disgusted with the Jewish will never be disgusted with you, because ,because I love [Bnei Yisrael ,לכלתם …'nation you yearn to serve me, with all your ,לכלתם ".[a bride ,כלה like a heart and soul.9 to ,וא"ו without a לכלתם The Torah writes After the tochachah, the Torah discusses that Hashem loves us just as a ,כלה imply I" ,ערכי עלי which is when a person says ,ערכין chasan loves his kallah. will give my worth to the Beis HaMikdash," I will give the" ,ערך פלוני עלי The Zohar continues, "It can be compared or when one says to a person who loves a woman that lives in worth of that person to the Beis HaMikdash." where there are According to age and gender, the Torah ,בורסקי] a tannery market worth, which he ,ערך very foul odors]. If she didn't live there, he spells out the monetary

9. The Ropshitzer Rav adds the following words: "Therefore, a person should never lose hope. He should never say that he is detached from Hashem's holiness… [And if he feels distant], he can turn this feeling into a tefilah. He should shout out and pray to Hashem that he feels so distant from Hashem, that he isn't able to even speak properly before Him. He should plead that Hashem have compassion on him, that he should be able to express himself well before Hashem, to say the proper words, and to daven as one should, and Hashem will certainly help him." 14 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai must pay. Why do these halachos follow the matter how you appear, Hashem loves you, tochachah? and He is waiting for your teshuvah!"

The Chozeh of Lublin zt'l explains that The conversation didn't go much further. after reading the tochachah, one might think The shaliach didn't know what he that Hashem is angry with him. He might accomplished with those words, but this feel that he doesn't have any worth. conversation penetrated deeply into that Therefore, following the tochachah comes the young man's heart. He discovered that so that it should be known Hashem loves him as he is. From then on, he ,ערכין parashah of to all Bnei Yisroel that they have tremendous went from one teacher to the next, seeking worth and value before Hashem. ways to do teshuvah.

A bris milah is a pact, a pledge of love, He is now a baal teshuvah. The shaliach between Hashem and the Jewish nation. who brought him back still doesn't know This bond is made when the child is eight what his words accomplished. He revealed days old and doesn't even know about it. to him that Hashem loves him. Years later, he might feel that he doesn't have a connection with Hashem. We tell him, when the bris of love was made, you There was once a child who unfortunately were a baby, and you also didn't know that went off the derech. His distraught parents there was love between you and Hashem. invested a lot of money — hiring tutors and You might not know about it now, either, role models — to bring their child back. but Hashem loves you immensely. After many tears, prayers, and efforts, the child returned. The father asked him, "Which The end of masechta (Beitzah 40.) discusses dollar brought you back?" The father meant, the topic of someone who owns cattle that "I paid a lot of money for mechanchim and tutors. Which one had the greatest influence .(מדבריות – בייתיות) are distant from his home Nevertheless, according to Reb Shimon, they on you; which one brought you back?" aren't muktzah. One may shecht them and eat them. The bachur replied, "It wasn't because of the mechanchim that you hired. Rather, The Munkacher Rebbe zt'l said that when once, a certain rav greeted me with a happy cattle that are very countenance. I said to him, 'Do you know" ,מדבריות Chazal discuss distant" it is alluding to people who are very who you just greeted?', and I told him about distant from Hashem. Nevertheless, they are my sins. The rav replied, 'It doesn't make a never muktzah; they are never cast away difference. Hashem loves you regardless, from Hashem. Hashem's love is always with and He is waiting for your return.' I told them. him about some of the graver sins that I was committing, and the rav replied, 'Even so, After serving in the army, a Yid who Hashem is still your Father, awaiting your veered very far from the path of Torah went return.' Then the rav kissed me on my to India, where he practiced all kinds of forehead and left. This occurred just as I was avodah zarahs. A Chabad shaliach met up with about to commit a very severe sin. This him and said, "You can wear your kippah, episode turned me around, and I returned and you can take off your kippah. But no to my Father in heaven" 10

10. People try to come close to Hashem, yet they fail. They try again and again, and keep on failing. They should know that the very fact that they are trying so hard is in itself a sign that they are still connected to Hashem. Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 15

Reb Shimon bar Yochai proclaims (Succah things, so shall it be. Everything will become .I can good" יכול אני לפטור את כל העולם כולו מן הדין, (:45 redeem the entire world from judgment." He can argue that everyone is righteous. To describe how everything is chessed, we Reb Akiva Eigar zt'l explains that this is share the following mashal: because Reb Shimon sees the good in A father comes home late at night and everyone, and he finds justification for all finds the front door locked. He knocks and the bad they do. Reb Shimon proclaims knocks, but the family is sleeping and before Hashem and before the court in nobody hears him. He sees that one of heaven that the Yidden's aveiros are the windows is open. He takes a long stick, puts result of living in galus, and with a yetzer it through the open window, and pokes one hara, etc. It isn't their fault. And he elaborates of the sleeping children with the stick. The on all the good that they do. child begins to cry, and soon the entire This proclamation is particularly household is awake. "Why is there someone pronounced on Lag b'Omer, and Hashem outside, trying to hurt them?" they wonder. accepts his plea. Hashem sees the good in all Yidden and pardonss them from their aveiros. If they knew that the person poking them is their father, and he only wants to come In relation to the recent episode, we inside to be with them, they would open the mustn’t think that what occurred this year door quickly. This is hinted in the words My Friend" ,דודי שלח ידו מן החור (in Miron means the love isn't complete. (Shir HaShirim 5:4 Hashem loves us, now and always. sent His hand through the hole…" C) Everything is for the Good Turn to Hashem the ,והיה הוא ותמורתו יהיה קדש ,(It states (27:10 is an expression When one sells his portion in Eretz והיה Beis Yisrael explains that of happiness. The pasuk is saying that one Yisrael, it isn't sold forever. It will come back should be happy when things are good, and to him in the yovel year. Furthermore, the Torah (25:25-26) permits the seller's relatives ,תמורתו he should be happy even when it is the opposite of good. He should believe that to redeem the field from the buyer, and the is holy and good. buyer can't decline. The buyer must accept ,יהיה קדש every situation the money, and the field goes back to the .the original owner ,והעריכו הכהן בין טוב ובין רע ,(It states (27:14 represents the הכהן Beis Yisrael explains that when a person Then, the Torah discusses the seller and ,והעריכו .attribute of chesed ,ואיש כי לא יהיה לו גאל והשיגה ידו ומצא כדי גאלתו ,says בין טוב ובין ,evaluates his situation, and he says whether matters are good or bad, that "If he doesn't have a relative, but he earned ,רע Hashem's attribute of enough money, and he was able to redeem ,הכהן ,they are all .as he judges his field…" he may repurchase his field ,כאשר יעריך אותו הכהן כן יהיה ,kindness

Reb Mendel Futterfas zt'l was in a jail in Russia for years. He once watched a spider spin a web. A fly got caught in the web, and it tried to get out, but it couldn’t. It kept struggling to free itself, and when it gave up, the spider came and finished the job.

Reb Mendel Futterfas thought to himself, "Everything in the world can be a lesson in avodas Hashem. What lesson can I learn from what I just witnessed?"

He came to the following conclusion: Chazal compare the fly to the yetzer hara. As long as one is trying to get free, the yetzer hara stands at a distance. But when a person loses hope, then the yetzer hara comes and tries to finish the job, rachmana litzlan. 16 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai

Why does the Torah specify that the seller Reb Pinkus replied that a gift is given to doesn't have any relatives? It doesn't matter increase closeness between the giver and the whether he has relatives or not. If he gets receiver. Hashem doesn't want to provide hold of enough money, he can repurchase wealth, gold and silver, because these have his field. an inherent risk of distancing the receiver from Hashem. The Chasam Sofer and the Netziv (Haamak Davar) reply that the Torah is telling us how Because when one has a lot of money, he this poor person's mazal turned around and feels secure. He doesn't have any worries. how it happened that he suddenly has He tells himself, "Even if there's a famine, I לא יהיה לו ,enough money. The explanation is can take my money, travel elsewhere, and he didn't have any relatives. He was ,גואל buy food there. Money doesn't spoil. I have alone in the world. No one was helping him. nothing to fear." Whereas crops and livestock Because when one feels alone in the world, can die in a plague or frost, and he must he turns his eyes to heaven. And when one always turn to Hashem to help him. Hashem turns his eyes to Hashem, Hashem will prefers to give such gifts, which will certainly help him. guarantee the connection between the Giver When the Torah discusses the reward for and receiver. keeping the mitzvos, it is always about having many cattle and success in agriculture. The truth is, even someone wealthy can't An example is the beginning of Bechukosai. rely on his wealth. He can only rely on Hashem. The Noda b'Yehudah (Ahavas Tzion אם בחקתי תלכו... ונתתי גשמיכם בעתם ונתנה הארץ יבולה ועץ writes, "All coins – ancient (ד"ה א"נ מטבע ,If you go in the path of the drush 5" ,השדה יתן פריו Torah…I will give rain at the right time, the and modern ones – are round. They don't earth will give forth its crops, and the trees have any other shape. Perhaps this was will give their fruits…". Reb Shimshon established purposely to hint that money Pinkus zt'l (Tiferes Shimshon, Bechukosai) asks, rolls; it doesn't stand still in one place. like a wheel that ,גלגל המתגלגל בעולם why doesn't the Torah say, "If you go in the Wealth is a path of the Torah, you will become wealthy, turns around in the world [sometimes you and you will have a lot of gold and silver have it and sometimes you don't] and one and diamonds?" shouldn't place his trust in his wealth."11

11. A businessman was staying at a hotel. One day, the owner of the hotel said to the businessman, "You have certainly heard of Rebbe Dovid of Tolna zt'l. Tonight, this great Rebbe will be coming to our hotel. Do you mind sleeping in a less extravagant room, so I can give the best room in the inn to the Rebbe?”

The businessman wasn't a chassid, but he didn’t mind doing this favor. He was also interested to watch the Rebbe, to see if he truly is a tzaddik.

That night, the businessman overheard the owner of the hotel speaking to his wife. He wasn't purposely listening in to their conversation, it was just that they were speaking loudly, almost shouting at each other, and the new room that he was sleeping in was next to the owner's apartment. He understood from their loud conversation that the Rebbe had asked them to give him two-hundred rubles, which was all they owned. They were wondering and debating whether they should acquiesce to the Rebbe's request or not.

The next day they gave two-hundred rubles to the Rebbe.

The businessman was upset with the Rebbe. He didn’t think it was fair that he should ask them for so much money.

The businessman found the Rebbe with his gabbai outside the inn, and the businessman was listening to what they were saying. The Rebbe pointed to one corner of the yard and said, "This is a good place to Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 17

Honor the Poor Because in this world, people honor the wealthy, but in the world of truth, it can be The Gemara (Pesachim 50.) relates: the opposite. Our intention isn't to belittle the wealthy. Reb Yosef, the son of Reb Yehoshua ben The wealthy can earn a very high place in Levi was niftar, and then came back to life. Olam HaBa, especially when they use their His father asked him what he saw in Olam money to help the poor and support Torah.12 Our intention is primarily to recognize and עולם הפוך ראיתי, עליונים ,HaBa. Reb Yosef replied I saw a turned-over appreciate the value of the poor. People tend" ,למטה ותחתונים למעלה world. Those who are valued in this world to look down at them because they were not [due to their wealth] are lowly and not successful in the rat race of this world. But important in that world. And those who are we should honor them because they might humble in this world [because they are be more precious than the wealthy in the poor], are precious there." world of truth.

Reb Shimon bar Yochai lived in a cave אור יקרות ,(This is as it states (Zecharyah 14:6 The light that is precious and for thirteen years. Most of the day, he and" ,קפאון weightless." The Gemara says that this refers his son were buried up to their necks in to wealthy people who are precious in this earth so that they could study Torah. They world but not necessarily in the next world. donned their clothing only for tefillah. They

build a barn." He pointed to another spot and said, "And this is a good place to build a new inn…" The businessman thought it was strange that the Rebbe was saying these things.

A few years later, the businessman returned to the inn and he saw that everything was exactly as the Rebbe had said. There was a large barn in the corner that the Rebbe had pointed to, and a new inn at an opposite side of the property, just as the Rebbe predicted. The businessman quickly traveled to Rebbe Dovid of Tolna zt'l and said, "Now I know that you are a holy man. Everything you predicted occurred. But please tell me, why did you take so much money from that couple? Two hundred rubles was everything they owned. It didn’t seem correct."

The Rebbe replied, "It was destined in heaven that this couple should become wealthy, but there was a condition: They had to daven for the wealth. The problem was they weren’t davening for money. They felt secure that they have two hundred rubles in the bank. Whenever a problem or a worry came up, they said to one another, 'But we have two hundred rubles… Everything will be fine.' So I took the two hundred rubles away from them. This spurred them to pray to Hashem, and they received the wealth that was destined for them.

The Nesivos Shalom writes that when they were building the Slonimer Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael, they were confronted with many hardships, and the founders and roshei yeshiva would meet from time to time to seek ways to overcome the obstacles. They would always conclude the meetings with the following words: “We are umbeholfeners, and the umbeholfeners helft der Aibershter.” Translation: We don’t see any hope. And Hashem helps those who feel helpless.” 12. The Chofetz Chaim was once speaking to a group of wealthy people, and he told them that when they support Torah, they will receive the same reward as Torah scholars who learn Torah.

One of the wealthy men said to the Chofetz Chaim, "So maybe you should join me in my business. You can earn a lot of money, you will support Torah, and your reward in the next world will be the same."

The Chofetz Chaim replied, "Yes, the reward in the next world will be the same. But what about this world?” Because fortunate are those who study Torah. Nothing compares to the enjoyment and pleasure that they have in this world. 18 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai weren't wealthy. But we celebrate Reb proposed to him. The Chofetz Chaim advised Shimon greatly on Lag b'Omer. Because the bachur to visit the family's home to see there are far more essential criteria to what it was like. measure the worth of a person than his bank account. Keep this in mind when you are in After visiting, the bachur told the Chofetz contact with the poor. It isn't wealth that Chaim, "You wouldn't believe how their determines a person's worth. house looks! The house is tiny, the floor isn't tiled, the ceiling leaks when it rains, there When the Chofetz Chaim's rebbetzin was aren't any chairs. They turn over a crate to niftar, the Chofetz Chaim requested that the sit down." chevrah kadisha bury her next to a poor woman. He explained, "In Tehillim (109:31) it The Chofetz Chaim listened attentively ,and said, "Nu! And tell me another maalah ,כי יעמוד לימין אביון להושיע משפטי נפשו ,states Hashem stands to the right side of the poor quality, of this family." In the Chofetz to help them in their judgment." The pasuk Chaim's eyes, being poor was an asset for a doesn't say that tzaddikim or gaonim enjoy shidduch, not a fault. this benefit, only specifically the poor. The Chofetz Chaim himself married a Therefore, I want my wife to be buried poor girl (the daughter of his stepfather). He there." could have married wealthy, but the Chofetz Similarly, in his tzavaah (will), Reb Shlomo Chaim realized that if he doesn't marry his Kluger zt’l requested that they bury him father-in-law's daughter, this could cause a near a poor person, as long as this poor shalom bayis problem for his mother, so he person acted honorably (according to Torah) agreed to marry her. In retrospect, he said during his lifetime. that marrying a poor girl was the best thing for him. His wife earned money working in He could have asked that they bury him a store, allowing the Chofetz Chaim to near a tzaddik or near a great baal tzedakah, devote his life to learning Torah and writing and the chevrah kadisha would have fulfilled his sefarim. The Chofetz Chaim said that he his request. But Reb Shlomo Kluger wanted had a friend who married a girl from a to be near the poor. wealthy home. Shortly after the wedding, he This is because of the humility of the went into business and lost a lot of money. poor and because the poor always turn their So, he lost out on both worlds. The Chofetz eyes to Heaven. Chaim commented that had he married a wealthy girl, the same would have happened The Mesilas Yesharim (1) writes, to him. But he married a poor girl, and he "Everything in the world, the good and the was able to study Torah his entire life. bad, are tests for mankind. Poverty on one side, and wealth on the other…" Each A destitute, troubled man came to the situation is a test, and one can grow from Chofetz Chaim and complained to him about every situation. Poverty is a great test. There his poverty. The Chofetz Chaim explained are those who, chas veshalom, become angry to him that when he will go to heaven, and at Hashem for not giving them more money. will stand before the heavenly court, he will Some poor people lose their peace of mind have Hashem as his lawyer, helping him, as ,כי יעמוד לימין אביון להושיע משופטי נפשו ,as they constantly worry about the future. it states Some poor people steal, etc. But there are "Hashem stands at the right side of the poor the fortunate poor people who pass these to save him from the judgment…" What tests. They trust Hashem and are happy could be better than that? with their lot. The Chofetz Chaim elaborated: If you A bachur once asked the Chofetz Chaim's would have a rishon helping you in heaven, opinion about a certain shidduch that was serving as your lawyer, pleading for you, Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai 19 there is an excellent chance that you will be The wealthy man answered, "On the found innocent in heaven. Let's say you contrary, I'm jealous of you because the study a lot of Rambam. Therefore you merit judge is your relative. He will certainly have that the holy Rambam advocates on your mercy on you. But I don't know what will behalf in heaven, and the Rambam explains be with me." before the court your virtues, and explains כי יעמוד ,that even your sins can be justified when This is the meaning of the pasuk Hashem is at the ,לימין אביון להושיע משופטי נפשו taking into account your very difficult struggles, and so on. His words will certainly right side of a poor man to help him in the help you immensely. But if another rishon judgment. He has the strongst support, and comes to court and disagrees with the he will be found innocent in judgment. Rambam (such as the Ra'avad, who often disagreed with the Rambam), what will you do then? So, there are many benefits in being poor. There is now a machlokes rishonim, and your Yes, there are tests, and yes, in this world, in fate in court is uncertain. the eyes of the masses, being poor isn't Similarly, you might earn the merit that something to be happy about, but through an amorah will testify for you in heaven, but the eyes of truth, there are benefits. what will be if a tana disagrees with him. A tana's view has a stronger influence in There was once a poor person who never heaven. And even if a navi testifies for you, stopped bemoaning his plight and was very you are also not guaranteed success because jealous of the rich. One day he said, "My Hashem can disagree. As occurred when wish is that whatever I touch should turn to Shmuel hanavi came to anoint one of Yishai's gold." older children, and Hashem told him, "man sees with the eyes and Hashem sees the His prayers were answered. He picked heart," and Hashem told him to anoint up an object, examined it from all sides, and Dovid. So, we see that at times, Hashem saw that his dreams and prayers had come disagrees with a navi too. But when you are true. He touched the table, and the table poor, you merit that Hashem will testify for turned to gold. He touched the chairs, and they also turned gold. He went around his כי יעמוד לימין אביון להושיע ,you in court, as it states .and when Hashem is your home, touching things, turning them to gold ,משופטי נפשו advocate, you have nothing to fear. He was imagining how much money he will earn when he sells all that gold. When he The Dubno Magid zt'l told a mashal of a became hungry, he took out a piece of bread poor man and a wealthy man who was to eat. But alas! It turned to gold. He tried called to trial. The rich person hired an taking a cup of water. It, too, turned to gold. expensive lawyer to represent him. The poor Fearing that he would die from hunger, he person couldn't afford a lawyer, but his shouted, "Hashem! Take this blessing away relative was scheduled to be the judge from me!" presiding over the case. One day, the poor and the wealthy person That is when he realized that there is met up. The poor man said, "I am so jealous more to life than money and gold, and he of you because you can afford a lawyer should be thankful for the blessings that while I can't." Hashem gives him.13

13. The story we wrote is based on the Mahrshah's commentary (Bava Basra 25:). The Maharsha discusses a person that whatever he touched turned to silver, but then he didn’t have anything to eat. The Maharsha ”.When one loves silver, it won't satisfy him“אוהב כסף לא ישבע כסף , (writes the pasuk (Koheles 5:9 20 Torah Wellsprings - Behar - Bechukosai

Sometimes it appears that the grass is greener on the other side, and other people suffer less, but if one knew what other people are going through, he would be happy with his own fate.

each person" ויקחו איש מטהו ,(Rebbe Bunim of zy"a said that this is alluded to in parashas Korach (17:24 took his staff." Each person chose their own peckel, because they realized that the grass isn't greener on the other side, and that they should be happy with the good that Hashem gives them.