A Sichah from Maran HaGaon Rav Gershon Edelstein shlita, Rosh Ponevez – Devorim 5773 #67

Every year during this time, cheder boys try to get accepted there is no room for sadness upon not being accepted into a into gedolah. Usually there are many who are certain yeshiva, given that it was ordered as such from disappointed that they did not get into the institution of their Shomayim. This was surely in his best interest. choice. This creates a lot of anguish for both parents and בדרך ,There is a Gemara (Makkos 10b) which states child. They desire success in Torah, and indeed, this is Shomayim] will lead a person in] – שאדם רוצה לילך מוליכין אותו .something very lofty to desire the path he desires. This means that every person who wants There are those who are disappointed for another to learn and wishes for success in Torah, Shomayim will lead reason. This group of people desire honor. They wish to him in a path towards success in Torah. He will be accepted learn in a yeshiva which is prestigious, with a famous into the yeshiva that is in his best interest; the place where reputation. Honor “bribes” these people into pursuing he will be most successful in his growth. This idea of emunah acceptance into these institutions through rigorous can neutralize one’s pain. attempts and efforts. This is despite the fact that there are numerous other yeshivos which will learn the same If one is experiencing sorrow that is causing actual Masechta, with the same derech halimud – style of learnin; pain which cannot be alleviated, i.e., bodily pain, one must where the boy can succeed to the same degree, and where consider what might have caused this, (spiritually, due to his plenty of others are learning, growing, and are quite content. actions ed), through Divine providence. Chazal state (Chullin A – אין אדם נוקף אצבעו מלמטה אלא אם כן מכריזים עליו מלמעלה ,(7b These people will nevertheless, only attempt to be accepted into the more “famous” yeshiva. person cannot lift his finger down here in this world unless it was already decided upon in Shomayim. One must be joyous This sorrow is one that stems from an appreciation with his pain as through it he will be atoned. Even the for the importance of Torah. Even those who seek the honor, mildest form of suffering is considered suffering which also value the honor of Torah. [Baruch Hashem, kavod atones for one’s sins, as the Gemara in Erachin writes (16b), עד היכן תכלית הייסורים? אפילו הושיט ידו לכיס ליטול שלוש ועלו בידו .haTorah – the honor for Torah has increased exponentially What are considered hardships? Even if one places his – שתיים This value for Torah was not present in the previous generation. Today, if one does not learn in a yeshiva, it is a hand in his pocket to remove three coins and ends up removing detriment to his honor.] When one undergoes this sorrow only two. for Torah and its honor, it stands as a great merit for him. As The reward is in We find that the opposite idea is also true; One who – לפום צערא אגרא ,(Chazal tell us in Avos (5:22 does not experience any hardships or sorrow should be accordance to the pain. worried. The Gemara in Sanhedrin (101a) tells the story of In truth, there is absolutely no reason for one to ever Eliezer Ben Hurkanus upon his death bed. His student, feel pain or sadness. Everything is governed by Shomayim, Rabbi Akiva came to visit him. Upon seeing his Rebbi and all that happens to a person is for his ultimate best, as suffering, he was joyous and exclaimed, “As long as I saw that All that Rebbi’s wine did not spoil, his flax was not destroyed, and his – כל דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד ,(we learn in Berachos (60b the Merciful One does is for the good. This refers to the oil and honey did not rot, I worried that perhaps, chas ultimate good – eternal life – of which we have no v’shalom, Rebbi received his rewards, here in Olam Hazeh. comprehension, whatsoever. Even when a person does not Now that I see Rebbi is suffering, I am joyous.” understand why something has occurred, he must have emunah – faith, that it was all for his good. Consequently,

1 4 We cannot begin to imagine the great rewards that heart. This effect will allow him to connect to the churban – were awaiting the great Rabbi Eliezer, referred to as Rabbi destruction, with more ease, through his introspection. Eliezer HaGadol. We cannot fathom his levels of Torah and middos. Despite all this, had he not gone through pain in this One must ponder at length the words of Chazal, world, there was room to worry that perhaps he already has Gemaros and Midrashim, that speak of the destruction and received his lot. Only after his suffering could he relax, that all that occurred during that time of history. They describe indeed, he will merit Olam Habah. We should therefore be the figurative “pain and sorrow” that the Shechina – Divine tremendously joyous while going through hardships. I knew presence feels, as a result of the churban and its following a man who suffered from tremendous physical pain and exile. The Shlah HaKadosh (Masseches Shvuos) describes the would nevertheless proclaim, “This is good”. events that occurred on Shavuos night, as the Beis Yosef and his colleagues were learning throughout the night. They With the proper emunah, one should not be heard a voice call out from Shomayim that told them that had disappointed that he did not get accepted into the yeshiva of they felt even a fraction of a fraction of the pain that the his choice. One must know that the yeshiva that accepted Shechina feels, they would not be able to ever have any joy him is the best place for his continued growth. There have whatsoever in their hearts. been many cases where students were rejected from yeshivas, yet they were promised a slot for the following Granted, these are truly lofty levels of feeling and year. In the meantime, they learned in a different yeshiva, understanding the sorrow of the destruction, and to take where they ended up succeeding and did not want to leave part in the sorrow felt by the Shechina. During Tisha B’Av, after the first year. On the flip side, we have found cases of while reciting Kinnos, one can feel this slightly if one were to those who kept pushing to get into the yeshiva of their introspect upon the meaning of the words. Normally, it is choice, only to find out that indeed, it was not the best place difficult to properly mourn the destruction. We therefore for them. must know what we, on our low level, can do.

* * * The Gemara in Berachos (6b) states that one who brings joy to a chosson and a kallah, is as if he has rebuilt one We are currently in the days in which we mourn the of the ruins of Yerushalayim. What is the connection destruction of the Temple. We have previously mentioned between these two ideas, and how, through bringing joy to that without proper introspection, one does not feel the loss the chosson and kallah, are the ruins rebuilt? of the Beis HaMikdash. A person who is healthy, has a stable income, and is sitting and learning, and taking pleasure in The explanation is quite simple. One who brings joy the joy of Torah, does not feel any lack. It is very difficult to to a chosson and kallah is fulfilling the mitzvah of chessed and properly feel and mourn the churban – destruction. loving others. The Rambam writes that this is a fulfillment of And you shall love your – ואהבת לרעך כמוך the mitzvah of We do incorporate many halachos that indicate neighbor as yourself (Hilchos Avel 14:1). Through this mourning, during this time. One such example is the mitzvah, one is correcting the sin of sinas chinam – baseless On the rivers of Bavel – a chapter hatred, which was the sin that caused the destruction of the – על נהרות בבל recitation of in Tehillim that speaks of the exile that followed the Temple. שם ישבנו :destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. The verse says That is where we sat and wept, as we Yes, the Gemara relates that the destruction was a - גם בכינו בזכרינו את ציון remembered Zion. On Shabbos, when it is forbidden to be in result of the fight between Kamtza and Bar Kamtza (Gittin 55b). This is the way in which the events unfolded in the – שיר המעלות בשוב השם את שיבת ציון a state of sadness, we recite The song of ascendance; as Hashem shall return those exiled natural world. Bar Kamtza was embarrassed as a result of from Zion. We remind ourselves that we are anticipating the the sinas chinam that brewed between him and the one redemption; yet we do so without expressions of sorrow and hosting the festive event. He therefore went to the Roman tears. Caesar and reported that the Jews had rebelled against him. Yet the real reason for the destruction was the sin of baseless The Mishna Berura (1:11) explains that the main part hatred that permeated throughout the entire populace, just of a person’s mourning over the destruction is one’s feelings as the Gemara in Yoma (9b) tells us, that the Second Temple and intent. One must understand and feel that which he is was destroyed because of sinas chinam. saying. To accomplish this, one must be on a high level. Let us remember that one who is immersed in, and cleaved to Sinas chinam is the root of all negative middos. Hate Torah, the kedusha – holiness and sanctity of the Torah will causes anger which causes people to speak lashon harah – affect him. It will have an effect on both his neshoma, and his evil speech. This is exactly what occurred with Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. It began with sinas chinam and ended up with

2 him informing on the Yidden. The Mishna in Avos (2:11) etc. These are the plans of a person whose Torah is the focal writes that hating one another removes a person from the point of his life. Others call bein hazmanim “vacation” and world. The way to amend this is through loving our fellow already have made plans as to how they will relax during this Jews – ahavas habriyos (lit. loving the creations), which is the time. root of all positive middos. Therefore, if one performs good deeds because he truly loves his fellow man, he is actually There are those who do require a bit of rest during rebuilding the ruins of Yerushalayim. bein hazmanim and must release some of the stress that comes from being in a structured framework the rest of the When Chazal tell us that this person who brings joy year. This person is usually one who is not comfortable to a chosson and kallah has rebuilt “one” of the ruins of within the framework of his yeshiva and who does not learn Yerushalayim, they are telling us that his deeds are indeed out of a love of Torah, and a joy that comes from Torah. He one reason to rebuild Yerushalayim. [Baruch Hashem, there learns because he is bound by the system he’s in is. are numerous people in Klal Yisroel who possess good Consequently, during bein hazmanim he feels tired and looks middos and are involved in chessed because they truly love for other outlets. Not everyone needs this, though. chessed, and authentically love others. They do not hold themselves as important due to their deeds, and they do not There are some places that organize group trips for seek honor for what they contribute. They also try to the bachurim, still under the auspices of the yeshiva. They convince others to join their cause and perform acts of travel somewhere together, and while there, they still chessed.] involve themselves in Torah. It does serve a purpose that while there, they relax more than they would have usually, Unfortunately, there are those members of Klal and this strengthens them. But all the while, still keeping a Yisroel who are actually promulgating through their deeds, Torah environment without prikas ol – lit. Removing the yoke the destruction. The Yerushalmi (Yoma 1:1) teaches of Torah. Some do this by traveling with their families in that every generation that does not merit seeing the order to get a change of scenery. It is known that a change of rebuilding of the Temple, is considered as if it has destroyed location can strengthen a person and can make one it. This is because that generation is still carrying on with the healthier. These are acceptable forms of vacationing that do same sins that were committed at the time of the not involve prikas ol. destruction. We are still holding on to the sin of sinas chinam, and hence, the Temple cannot be rebuilt. In order to rebuild If one plans to travel with friends, not within the the Temple and not just “one” of the ruins of Yerushalayim, authority of the yeshiva, this poses a great spiritual and all of Klal Yisroel must do teshuva and amend the sins that physical danger. Unfortunately, a few tragedies caused the destruction. occurred during bein hazmanim, Rachmana Litzlan, as there is a lack in the protective merits of the Torah. Given all the above, if we want to bring about the During these days we need many merits to protect us from rebuilding of the Temple, the simplest thing incumbent upon all sorts of unpleasantness. There were instances where us is to improve our good middos and love of others. This is some boys withstood the test the entire bein hazmanim, yet the path that will fix the sins that caused that destruction. on the last day decided that they needed to “air out” and a Every person who acts with proper, positive middos is tragedy occurred, Hashem shall protect us. adding a building block for the redemption. The exile and destruction of the Temple might go on, given that * * * others are still holding on to their sins of sinas chinam; Let us mention another idea that is pertinent for the entire but from the person’s standpoint, he has fixed that year, not just for and bein hazmanim. In which was his responsibility to fix. He is no longer וידבר משה אל ,Parashas Mattos (Bamidbar 30:2) we are told looked at as one who is promulgating the destruction of And Moshe spoke to the heads of – ראשי המטות לבני ישראל לאמר the Beis HaMikdash. the tribes of Yisroel. Rashi explains that Moshe bestowed * * * honor upon the princes by teaching them first. Only then did he teach the rest of Klal Yisroel. The Princes were on very I wish to now mention something regarding bein lofty levels who possessed Ruach haKodesh (this was hazmanim. Yes, we still have a few days until bein hazmanim, expounded upon in volume 63). They surely did not need, yet some people feel that it has already begun. nor seek this honor. Even still, Moshe decided to give them honor, as they deserved it. There are those who plan out their learning schedule for bein hazmanim. They know what they will learn, and in We find a similar idea with Aaron HaKohen, during ויאמר משה אל ,(which way they plan to learn, and with which commentaries, the inauguration of the Mishkan. (Vayikra 9:7

3 4 And Moshe said to Aaron, Come forward, On the other hand, if one feels content with what he has, he – אהרן קרב אל המזבח close to the altar. Rashi explains that Aaron was ashamed always feels “full” and satiated. He feels no lack. Yaakov and scared to go near. Moshe asked him, “Why are you Avinu (Bereishis 33:11) responded to Eisav’s offer of wealth ,Hashem has been kind to me – חנני אלוקים וכי יש לי כל ,embarrassed? For this you were chosen!” Aaron thought that by saying he was unworthy of such a lofty service in the Mishkan, yet and I have everything. Rashi comments, “I have all that I Moshe told him to come near, because he was indeed need”. Bachurim are still not in these situations, but over worthy. Some commentaries explain Moshe words of “For time, upon becoming husbands and fathers, there are more this you were chosen” to mean that precisely because of your trials of being content with one’s lot. It is valuable to know humility and sense of unworthiness with regard to this this concept. service, you were chosen. * * * We have discussed a number of times the dangers that are associated with honor. Sefer Chasidim (84) writes There is more to say regarding the destruction of the Temple that one should not be happy if others honor him, as this and how to properly feel the loss. One should know how honor will detract from his merits in Olam Habah. This different life was, and how joyous it was while we had the means that even though one did not pursue or look for Beis HaMikdash. honor, if at the moment he is being honored he derives The Gemara in Berachos (3a) relates how the status pleasure from it, his merits will be detracted from. Despite of Klal Yisroel after the destruction is likened to sons who this, Moshe chose to bestow honor upon the Princes. This have been kicked out from their father’s table. Let us imagine was done as Moshe Rabbeinu knew that they were on a level what the situation was like before when Yisroel sat with in which they would not derive any pleasure from this Hashem, as His children at His table. Everyone sits around honor. one table and can see their father with their eyes. They talk to him regarding anything that bothers them and which is on איזהו מכובד? המכבד את ,(The Mishna in Avos states (4:1 .Who is the one who is honored? The one who honors their mind. They receive everything they need from him – הבריות others. How so? The simple understanding is that by This was the feeling Klal Yisroel had prior to the destruction. honoring others everyone becomes his friend and ends up Our role is to correct the sins that continue until honoring him. But we can explain in another manner. Honor today. As the Rambam writes (Hilchos Taaniyos 5:1), that the is a spiritual, internal feeling of joy that one receives while purpose of the fasts is in order to awaken us to amend the others are honoring him. When one is not concerned with sins that happened then, and which are continuing today. We himself, rather with the feelings and honor of others, he also must repent from all our sins and strengthen in Torah possesses this internal feeling of joy and happiness, more so learning, and in good middos. We must also increase our than he would have if the honor was bestowed upon him. tefillos and pleadings with Hashem that He shall rebuild the The Mishna also teaches that a rich man is one who Temple speedily in our days. Through this, we shall merit is content in his lot. The explanation is that a very wealthy rebuilding the ruins of Yerushalayim. individual is never satiated with his monetary lot. He always feels a lack, like he is missing. The Midrash (Kohelles Rabbah 3:1) says: If a person has one hundred, he desires two hundred. If he has two hundred, he’ll desire four hundred.

4