Hauling Ice Cream

While on a trip this summer, we were driving on a long stretch of interstate highway. These stretches usually offer interesting sights and much time to think about them.

During one particularly long stretch, I passed two trucks that carried ice cream.

One was a long 18-wheeler, and was probably on its way to a warehouse or supermarket, hauling pallets and pallets of yummy, frozen treats.

The other, less intimidating one, was a traditional, city-street ice cream truck, probably on its way back to the garage after a long day's work. 

As I continued driving, I noted another, far more interesting contrast between the two ice cream haulers.

Gevald or Gevaldik

Chaim Yankel was beside himself. He phoned the police to report that thieves had been in his beloved car.

"Gevald! They've stolen the dashboard, the steering wheel, the brake pedal, even the accelerator," he moaned.

Five minutes later the phone at the police station rang again. It was Chaim Yankel.

"Gevaldik!" Chaim Yankel exclaimed joyfully. "I just realized I got in the back seat by mistake."

***

The Ba'al Shem Tov teaches that the forty-two journeys that the B'nei Yisroel traveled between Mitzrayim and Eretz Yisroel are a metaphor for the journeys that are traveled by a Yid throughout his lifetime.

The question is asked: some of the journeys involved events that were displeasing to Hashem, and some were outright acts of rebellion against Him. How can we say that also these negative-experience journeys are a part of The Plan?

One Step

A group of people were once travelling through the forest. In the darkness, one person veered off the path - only slightly - yet, before long he was deep in the wilderness, far, far away from the path. 

Needless to say, the person who got lost didn't just end up in the wilderness with one step. His being in the wilderness was a result of the very first step he took off the path, and his continuing on that trajectory, without correcting his first, tiny misstep. 

***

Entering the wilderness of life does not happen with just one step. At a moment of temporary darkness, our focus veers from the light and truth of Torah, and so long as it is dark, we continue taking steps away from the Path of Life, G-d forbid.

When the light of Torah illuminates our lives again, the error is discovered, as does the direction and path of return.

One step at a time. 

Gathering a Nation

ובהקהיל את העם תתקעו ואל תריעו

Hashem instructed Moshe: When gathering the Yidden, blow a Tekiah, not a Teruah.
(Bamidbar 10:5)

What is the significance of the Tekia sound, vis-a-vis the Teruah sound? Why is Tekia the sound that gathers the nation?

***

For most immigrants coming to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was extremely rare to find a job that did not require one to work on Shabbos. As such, many frum Jews were in constant search of a livelihood, often losing their jobs before or immediately after Shabbos, as a result of their not working on Shabbos.

The story is told of two families who struggled with Parnassa, yet fought valiantly to stay steadfast to a Torah lifestyle. Every week, each father set out to find a job, only to lose it at the end of the week, for their commitment not to work on Shabbos.

Interestingly enough, when the children of one family grew up, they stayed committed to a Torah lifestyle, while the children of the other family did not.

Setting a Trend

In previous generations, it was the custom to wear Tefillin throughout the day. Even after Davening, Tefillin was worn when going about one's business, in the street and at home. However, in later generations, Yidden had lost a certain degree of commitment to the Mitzvah of Tefillin (along with other Mitzvos). 

Rebbi Shimon Ben Elazar said: Mitzvos for which the Jews gave up their lives - in the time of a government decree - are still upheld with a strong commitment by the Yidden, such as: Bris Milah and not serving idols. And all those Mitzvos for which the Yidden did not give up their lives, still lacks commitment and is "weak" by them... such as Tefillin, which is still "weak" by the Yidden. (Shabbos, 130a)

Making the Extra, Ordinary

According to many opinions, the question about reclining is only asked at the Seder nowadays; it was not asked during the time of the Beis Hamikdosh. This is because the prevailing custom in those days was to recline during all meals, not only on the night of Pesach.

As such, reclining on the eve of Pesach was not an anomaly; it was as normal and "ordinary" as making Kiddush - something the child was accustomed to seeing. And, since reclining on the night of Pesach was considered usual conduct in his family - something the child took for granted - seeing his family recline did not pique his interest; it did not seem out of place. Hence, it did not beget a question.

This is just what we do. 

Inside Outside

מה בין תלמידיו של אברהם אבינו לתלמידיו של בלעם הרשע

(Avos 5:19)

The Mishna enumerates key differences between the character of the students of Avraham and the character of the students of Bilam.

The question is asked: Why doesn't the Mishna just enumerate the differences between Avraham and Bilam themselves? Certainly, the difference would be just as obvious as the difference between their respective students!

In a Sicha, the Rebbe explains that, on the outside, Bilam espoused to be like Avraham: he put on a nice show of righteousness, kindness and nobility. Yet, Bilam's true character and deepest aspirations were quite the opposite of Avraham's.

And it was the unspoken, intangible, yet ever-present reality that had the ultimate and greatest impact on his students. Thus, much like Bilam himself, his students were haughty, had an evil eye, and flagrant character.

A Jew in the Stars

When Pharaoh’s astrologers predicted the birth of the Redeemer of the Jewish People, Pharaoh ordered all Jewish newborn baby boys to be thrown into the Nile River. On the actual day of Moshe’s birth, Pharaoh extended this decree to the Egyptian baby boys as well.

Why did Pharaoh included also the Egyptian baby boys in his decree?

Rashi explains that the astrologers were unable to see in the stars if the newborn Redeemer was a Jew or an Egyptian.

The question remains: If the astrologers were able to determine that the Redeemer was a boy, and by reading the stars they were able to update Pharaoh when Moshe was thrown into the Nile, why were they unable to get a more detailed description of the Redeemer of the Jewish People? Why weren’t the stars accurate enough to include the crucial detail of his being a Jew?

Three Oils. One Hero.

A Chanuka Dvar Torah

When the Greeks came into the Beis Hamikdosh, they deliberately defiled the oil that was designated for the purpose of kindling the Menorah. Later, when the Chashmonaim sought to rededicate the Beis Hamikdosh, they could not find any pure oil. Eventually, they found one flask, still intact with the seal of the Kohen Gadol. However, there was only enough to last for one day... (Shabbos, 21b)

***

There were three "grades" of oil used in the Beis Hamikdosh. Oil that came from the first drop (squeeze) of the first harvest of olives, oil that came from the second drop, and oil that came from the third. 

Our sages explain that given the expense involved in harvesting and preparing the highest grade of oil, this "Grade A" oil was reserved for the Menorah, which required only 3.5 Loig per day. The lesser grades were used for the Menachos. Since Menachos require much more than 3.5 Loig on a daily basis, the costs of using only Grade A oil in such great quantities was prohibitive.

Mind the Young - the Young Mind

Unlike other nations who sought to physically annihilate the Jewish people, the Greeks enjoyed the Jewish people and their contributions in the social, financial and intellectual arenas. In fact, the Greeks had a real appreciation and deep respect for the Torah and Jewish philosophy.

However, the Greeks could not tolerate the Jews' blind faith and submission to a Higher Power. For the Greeks, everything had to make sense, logically. Thus, Kabolas Ol was something the Greeks could not comprehend nor accept.

“Do Mitzvos, learn Torah!” the Greeks argued, “we will even help you build your Yeshivos! Just go about your learning as an intellectual pursuit, but not with a blind submission to Hashem!”

Green Stems and Red Petals

A teacher once instructed her students to take out their crayons and paper for "drawing time".

"We are now going to draw," she said.

The students took our their supplies and were just about to begin...

"Wait!" the teacher said. "I will tell you when to start..."

The teacher waited till all of the students placed their crayons back on their desks.

"Today we are going to draw a flower," she instructed.

The children picked up their crayons...

"Wait! Like this..." the teacher said. 

Walking over to the blackboard, the teacher began to draw a green stem and a flower with six red petals, and instructed the students to do the same.

The students dutifully copied the teacher's flower.

And so went art instruction in this class.

One day a child from this class visited a school in another town.

Of Lions and Children

The Medrash relates that during the Flood, Noach was once delayed when bringing food for the lion in the Teiva, and the lion attacked him because of that.

Rashi adds that this is what the Posuk means, “A Tzadik receives his ‘payment’ in this world”.

Did Noach really deserve such a punishment? Certainly, having been charged with the enormous and heroic task of caring for the survival of all the species, Noach should have been afforded a bit more consideration!

One of the answers given is especially relevant to parents and educators.

Education On the Way

"Remember what Hashem has done to Miriam on the way when you have left Mitzrayim."

Why does the Torah tell us when Miriam's punishment took place?

Wouldn't it have sufficed to just remind the Yidden of the punishment alone?

***

The Chofetz Chaim was once travelling in a train. He watched a woman get up and open the window near her seat. A minute later the woman's daughter got up to close the window. The woman got up again to open it, and her daughter came shortly thereafter to close it.

Appealing Apples

The little bird was perched atop a high branch enjoying the summer breeze. Suddenly, the tree began swaying, as a bear began to climb the trunk.

“What are you looking for?” asked the bird.

“Don’t mind me, Birdie,” answered the bear. “I came up here to eat apples…”

“But Bear, this isn't an apple tree,” the bird pointed out. “There are no apples here!”

“That’s ok,” answered the bear. “I brought my own apples.”

***

Rebbi says that the desired path in life for man to choose for himself, is one that serves to beautify its followers, and brings beauty to those around him. (Avos 2:1)

A number of questions arise at first glance:

Educating the Extraordinary

On the way to “bless” the Benei Yisroel, Bilam’s donkey saw Hashem’s angel with a drawn sword in its hand. Fearing for its life and the life of its master, the donkey tried to prevent Bilam from proceeding with his journey. At first the donkey strayed from the path, then, when passing through a narrow passage, the donkey leaned into the wall, crushing Bilam’s foot. Finally, the donkey sat down on the road and refused to continue traveling.

Not having seen the angel himself, Bilam thought that the donkey was being disobedient. He reacted the way any master would when addressing a disobedient animal; he hit the donkey each of the three times it deviated from what he wanted it to do.

In the end, Hashem opened Bilam’s eyes, and he saw the angel who then criticized Bilam, “Why did you hit your donkey three times…?”

No Compromise

In honor of Yud Beis Tammuz – the Frierdiker Rebbe’s birthday and day of liberation from Soviet prison. 

When the Russian government systematically shut down the Jewish infrastructure in Russia, the Frierdiker Rebbe sent his students to reopen the Mikvaos, schools, etc. Without regard to personal suffering or hardship, these holy students carried out this mission, oftentimes giving up their very lives in doing so. HY”D.

Undeterred by the relentless efforts to of the Russian government, the Frierdiker Rebbe forged ahead.

Disregarding the terrible danger he was putting himself in, the Rebbe single-handedly ran the operation of keeping the Jewish flame alive in Russia.

Of Seeds and Saplings - Part 3

Per a recent comment, here is a discussion on where, how and why compromises affect children.

To understand this we need to elaborate a little more on the analogy of the sapling... 

A sapling is pure and fragile. Its entire future hangs in the balance of proper nurture and protection throughout its "saplinghood". It requires proper nurture and care.

Of equal importance, it must also be guarded from extreme weather and protected from any damage. With a proper commitment, it will develop into a strong, healthy tree, capable of withstanding the toughest conditions and climates - even dents and scratches.

However, if it is exposed - even just barely - to rough elements, or sustains even a tiny damage early on, the effects will be evident in its poor development, and incapability of weathering even the slightest changes in climate later on.

Of Seeds and Saplings - Part 2

Psychiatrist: Do you hear voices?
Patient: No.
Psychiatrist: Do you ever think of hurting yourself?
Patient: No.
Psychiatrist: Do you steal?
Patient: No.
Psychiatrist: Do you drink? Smoke?
Patient: No, and no.
Psychiatrist: So why are you here?
Patient: Well… I have this problem; I tend to lie a little.

***

על כל פשעים תכסה האהבה

As humans, we often excuse or even ignore our faults or those of someone we love.

While this trait can be utilized to overcome differences between people and their loved ones, the Yetzer Hara utilizes this natural tendency to excuse the weakening of our resolve in giving our children a Torah-true Chinuch.

Of Seeds and Saplings - Part 1

The farmer's son was returning from the market with the crate of chickens his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open. Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood, scooping up the wayward birds and returned them to the repaired crate.

Hoping he had found them all, the boy returned home...

"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."

"Well, you did real good, son," the farmer beamed. "I sent you home with seven."

***

We Daven to Hashem that we merit seeing the results of our Avodah. Sometimes Hashem blesses us with results that surpass our expectations. Other times, we need a strong Emunah and Bitachon to stay committed...

One Baby, One Message

In one of the most famous court cases ever recorded, Shlomo Hamelech was asked to rule on a truly difficult case: the two women who each claimed that the baby belonged to them. The wise king ruled that the baby should be split (!), and each woman would get one half of the baby. 

Immediately one woman cried out in protest and said that she gives up her claim to the baby, lest the baby be hurt. Shlomo Hamelech then granted the baby to her, because she was obviously the natural mother, having exhibited the true motherly love to a child.

While the logic seems pretty straightforward, there is something puzzling about the ruling. How did Shlomo Hamelech take the risk of ordering to "split the baby"? Is it not possible that the other woman would have protested and ask not to cut it? Or, perhaps the real mother would be so shocked, that by the time she realized what was happening, her baby would be...?

How did Shlomo Hamelech take this risk?