Chukas 5776 July 15, 2016

A Taste of Torah Stories For The Soul Strike Out By Rabbi Akiva Stern The Difficult Truth Based on a story in The Legacy of Maran Rav The colloquial terminology for ineffective When Miriam passed from the world, by Rabbi Yitzchok Dershowitz communication is “talking to the wall.” this source of water ceased. Now, the well Rabbi Aharon Kotler was the founder Obviously, delivering a monologue to is about to reemerge, but the merit that of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, a wall, or any inanimate object for that would bring it back was attributed directly and is largely responsible for the rise of matter, is a waste of time and effort. In to Moshe – whose spiritual level was as an ends unto itself in this week’s parsha, Moshe is commanded greater than Miriam’s. Hashem therefore America. Arriving in America in 1941, to speak to the rock, which would commanded Moshe to talk to the rock, Rabbi Kotler worked tirelessly to make miraculously facilitate the reemergence of his vision for Torah in America a reality. due to his higher spiritual status. Moshe’s But many did not see things as he did, the Well of Miriam, a spring of water that merit can bring about the miraculous in and he was often subjected to rejection, flowed from a stone. In an astonishing an even more overt and obvious fashion! ridicule, and derision while engaged in turn of events, Moshe seems to directly So why didn’t he do as he was told? The Lev fundraising efforts. flout Hashem’s order and, instead of Aryeh explains that we are told that Moshe talking to the stone as G-d commanded, Mr. Irving Bunim (1901-1980) and his was the humblest of men. It occurred to son, Amos, were two Jews who did Moshe struck the stone. According to him that when he would manage to bring “get it,” and they assisted Rabbi Kotler many commentaries, Moshe was punished forth water with speech alone, the Jewish greatly in his struggles to build Torah for this sin and could no longer enter the People would deduce that he was much on American shores. (Amos wrote Land of Israel with the Jewish Nation. greater than his deceased sister Miriam. a biography of his father’s life and activities entitled A Fire in His Soul.) This passage is difficult and begs Rather than publicly display his own clarification on quite a few points. To greatness and thereby minimize, to some It once happened that Rabbi Kotler name but a few: Why would Moshe, the degree, his sister’s piety, he chose to simply and Amos came to a wealthy Jew in truest servant of Hashem, directly disobey mimic the first instance and strike the rock the hopes of obtaining a donation. After sitting in the waiting room for this command? Furthermore, what was here, as well. This act was considered to be 45 minutes, Amos exclaimed to Rabbi the great significance of this disobedience? a sin, because had he but spoken to the In the world of nature, both striking a rock Kotler, “It is the greatest honor to wait rock, the more overt miraculous display and talking to it are equally ineffective if with the Rosh , but I don’t would have brought a greater measure of understand why the must one’s purpose it to get a drink. Clearly, glory to Hashem’s Name. suffer this humiliation!” either action would be perceived as astonishing and miraculous. And finally, It seems to me that there are two powerful Rabbi Kotler replied, “I want to tell it is notable that this was not the first time messages to be garnered here. On one you something, and I want you to water was brought forth from a stone. hand, this brings out the humility, as well remember it for the rest of your life. Initially, when the Jewish People first got as the incredible sensitivity and caring, that Since the time when Moshe broke the first set of Luchos (Tablets), it was water from Miriam’s Well, Moshe was in Moshe embodied. On the other hand, it highlights the importance of recognizing decreed that true Torah is only achieved fact instructed to strike the rock! Why through difficulty and suffering. If the would the appropriate action on the first each and every individual’s unique Torah does not come through struggle, occasion be considered a grievous sin on strengths. We each have the capability to one must question whether it is true the second? use our innate personalities and unique Torah! In fact, I am happy that that I Rabbi Aryeh Yehudah of Brod, in his work characteristics to accomplish amazing encounter such challenges, for now I Lev Aryeh (Chullin 7b), addresses these things and bring glory to Hashem’s Name. know I am working toward true Torah.” questions. He explains that, generally, When we are summoned to step up to Our Sages teach us, based on a verse miracles are performed specifically in a the plate, rather than slink back and in this week’s parsha, that Torah is manner that most resembles nature. The play down our own capacities, we must acquired only by one who gives his life well initially existed in the merit of Moshe’s step forward and embrace the challenge. for it. The simple understanding refers sister Miriam, and Hashem originally If and when we do so, we will merit to to dedicating one’s life to its study, but Rabbi Kotler understood that building commanded Moshe to strike the rock to sanctify and bring a more complete glory to Hashem’s Name. and spreading Torah require the same bring forth the water, for speaking to the perseverance. rock would have been a greater miracle. Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ By Rabbi Yaakov Zions SUMMER NIGHT SEDER FOR BACHURIM Last week we asked: Can you think of a the item. For example, the friends were in Attention boys entering 7th similar case, where one friend is required different time zones and it was no longer grade and older! The Kollel is to say the proper blessing on the item while Yom Kippur in the location further east, or the other isn’t required to say any blessing one was eating chametz on the 22nd day of once again holding its Summer th Night Seder for Bachurim at all? in Eretz Yisroel, where there is no 8 at the Kollel West Side Bais A: 1) When one drinks water, the proper day of Pesach for those who live there, while Medrash. Sunday-Thursday, bracha is shehakol, provided its consumption in the Diaspora it is still Pesach and chametz mincha 7:45 pm, followed by is to quench one’s thirst. Thus, if one of the is forbidden. (Sources: Orach Chaim 204:7 learning. Ma’ariv at 9:10 pm. friends wasn’t thirsty, no bracha would be and 196:1) Stipends available for boys required. 2) One who eats a forbidden item This week’s question: How many of who maintain the schedule. doesn’t make a bracha on it. If one friend our brachos (blessings) are not recited on For info or sponsorship needed to eat the forbidden item, such as Shabbos, (besides the middle brachos of the opportunities, please contact where it was necessary for preservation of weekday amida which are replaced by the [email protected]. life, he would make a bracha. 3) In a similar one special Shabbos bracha)? vein, if one person was permitted to eat To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email ryz@ RABBANIT MIZRACHI ON the item, only he would make a bracha on denverkollel.org. JULY 31ST The Women’s Division of the Denver Community Kolleland Aish Denver present a video Lives of Our Torah Leaders for women, Leading up to The Rambam - Part IX Tisha B’. Sunday, July 31st at 8 pm at Aish Denver. Moreh Nevuchim became hugely controversial Rabbi Abulafiah’s opposition to some of Rabbanit Yemima is one of due to the nature of the philosophical the Rambam’s views are included in his the most in-demand speakers issues the Rambam discussed and the work Yad Ramah on Tractate Sanhedrin. today, attracting hundreds of positions he took. While embraced in The Ra’avad, meanwhile, wrote a critique women to her lectures, where some communities, other Torah authorities she presents deep messages on the entirety of the Rambam’s Mishnah with a sense of humor. criticized it, and some even regarded it as Torah, disagreeing with the Rambam in Sponsorship available. No heretical. During the Rambam’s lifetime, numerous places throughout the work. charge, suggested donation the controversy was kept under control. Virtually every modern-day printed edition of $5 to help cover costs of This was due to the great respect people had of Mishnah Torah contains the Ra’avad’s future video presentations. for the Rambam, as well as the calm and glosses next to the Rambam’s words, and moderation encouraged by the Rambam their disagreements have been studied, THE M.B. GLASSMAN himself to his students and others who analyzed and dissected in yeshivos and FOUNDATION GOLD LUNCH & defended him and his opinions. Torah study halls throughout the world LEARN PROGRAM Some of the more notable personalities for centuries, a testament to the statement The M.B. Glassman Foundation who criticized the Rambam were Rabbi of our Sages (Pirkei Avos 5:17) that “any GOLD Program is a division Meir HaLevi Abulafiah (1180-1244) and dispute [carried out] for the sake of Heaven of the Denver Community is destined to last.” Kollel dedicated to bringing Rabbi Avraham ben Dovid (1120-1197), Torah study to seniors in the more commonly known by the acronym of In Provence, there existed a small but community. Don’t miss a great his name, the Ra’avad. These great Torah learned Jewish community that produced Lunch and Learn class on the authorities respected the Rambam greatly, many great Torah scholars. Many of these weekly parsha at the East Side even though they criticized, sometimes Torah scholars supported the Rambam, Kosher Deli, 499 S. Elm St. at sharply, certain opinions and ideas espoused but there were those who opposed him, 12:00 am. There is no charge by him. Great people can disagree, even as well. The Rambam corresponded with for the lunch or the learning! strongly and vehemently, on ideas while the “Chachmei Provence” (Wise Men of Transporation can be arranged. maintaining mutual respect and admiration Provence), as they were known, and much For more information, contact insight into the Rambam’s opinions can be [email protected] or call on a personal level; this is the way of Torah 303-820-2855. study. gleaned from these letters.

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