Hi Kids, I hope this finds you all well and happy. All week I was thinking about writing about the subject of "Ta’amei Hamitzvos" - the taste ( note - not reason ) of the Mitzvos, but I have switched gears in the wake of Talia’s graduation ( mazel tov !!) and the hearing of the following story. Very briefly, the background to the story is the "sin" of Moshe regarding hitting instead of speaking to the rock. R’ Vallach develops the issue of "Emunah" - trust in Hashem, and how there are myriad levels of trust that we can have in all sorts of things, and certainly in Hashem in whom there is truly the possibility of realistic absolute trust. My understanding of the shiur is that while virtually all Jews have inherited from Avrohom, the gift of trust in and closeness to Hashem, we do not always have the awareness, cognizance and emotional strength to translate that relationship with Hashem into action. Moshe too, as we would say in our vernacular, ’took his eye off the ball’ for a split second in his otherwise perfect life, and was called on it. I hope I will tell the story in the way that will clarify this idea. It happenned in Morocco around the year 1930 ce. The French had conquered the southern part of the country after many years of fighting the indigenous arabs. While the Spanish hold on the north, it seems, was more solid, there were still pockets of resistance battling the French. In around 1925, this resistance managed to re-capture a number of cities. They were barbaric, disorganized tribal clans who vengefully brutalized the conquered French governors and authority-figures. The Frenchmen were brought in front of mock military tribunals, declared guilty of treason etc., and tortured and murdered. The Jews too, were of course caught in the middle at this fearful time and tried to remain neutral so as not to raise the ire and suspicion of the often crazed arabs. The great Tzaddik, "Baba Sali", ZT"L (1890 - 1984) was the Rabbi of the city of Mundiv, one of the cities re-taken by the arabs. The French governor stationed in the city surrendered, and was being led in chains through the streets to the makeshift courthouse. He requested of the arab officer that the route they take, be through the Jewish quarter. The officer, perhaps somewhat suspicious that the Jews had some close connection to the French side and curious to investigate, agreed to the request. When they passed the Rabbi’s house, the Frenchman stopped and asked the officer to call out the Rabbi. The increasingly curious officer sent some men in to get the Rabbi who at first did not want to go, fearing suspicions of complicity and collusion with the French. They forced him anyway and he came out to face the arab horde and the pathetic French prisoner. The Frenchman didn’t waste any time. " Rabbi, is it not correct that you have a son," he asked. The Rav of course said that he did (his son Meyer grew to be a great tzaddik in his own right). " I want you to bless him," demanded the prisoner. The Rav was somewhat surprised at this unusual request, but trying to avoid any controversy, he complied and muttered a terse bracha for his son. " Is that how a father blesses a son ?" the Frenchman exclaimed. " I meant for you to think for a minute and bless your son with all of your heart - a real blessing !!" There was silence on the street as the Baba Sali closed his eyes for what seemed like a few minutes, before he began lavishing upon his beloved son the most beautiful and comprehensive of brachos. When he finally concluded, the prisoner leaned closer to him and pleaded," now please bless me too, Rabbi." Baba Sali obliged and blessed and prayed for the poor condemned man. Prayers and blessings of tzaddikim like the Baba Sali bear fruit. Miraculously, this French governor was found not guilty and acquitted of all charges and released. Some years passed and by 1934, the French had regained control of all of southern Morocco once again. The former prisoner was re-instated as governor of Mundiv. The first thing he did after settling into his office was to summon the Rabbi. The Rav entered the office not knowing what to expect. The governor spoke. " Rabbi, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you for saving my life at that terrible time. I know that it was your blessing alone that caused the miracle for me and I want to offer you anything you might want or need - I am at your service always." The Rav replied modestly that he had no personal needs at all but would be more than satisfied with a guarantee from the governor that the Jewish community would be protected and allowed to thrive spiritually and materially. The Frenchman was happy to offer such a promise, but pressed the Rav again as to whether he had any personal requests. The Rav finally conceded," Okay, I do have one personal request - could the governor clarify to me what he was thinking when he asked me to bless my son." The man smiled at the Rav and explained." I fully believe that the blessings of the Jews, work. I knew then and I know now, with absolute certainty that the blessing from a man of your holiness and stature, could affect miracles. As desperate as I was, I knew that those blessings only work if they are given by an open and loving heart. I also knew that in those fearful times and particularly at that very tense moment being closely observed by the arabs surrounding us, a request for a blessing by a condemned stranger might not elicit from you a blessing powerful enough to save me. I therefore asked that you bless your son - but not just a simple terse blessing - rather to invoke the image of your son in your mind which would open your heart, from which would flow the most wonderful of blessings. Then, with your heart wide open, I pushed my way into it and asked you to let me tag along in the blessing - and thank G-D, here I am today." Did the Baba Sali not love his son enough to give him a heartfelt bracha without being prodded by the desperate prisoner ? NO, of course he loved his son very much. But just as it is with Emunah, trust in Hashem, the object of your love is not always in the forefront of your mind and in those moments the feelings of trust and love may not be at their most inspired. We all can admit this and sadly, I as a parent whose children live far away, am acutely aware of the fact that in my busy and harried life, I am not always thinking about you all. But as I watched my youngest child pass successfully through one important stage of her chinuch (and B"H eagerly await the next stage), it invoked within me memories of all of you and your respective transitions. As I quietly blessed my baby, turned lovely, sweet young woman (through my tears - I was a basket-case throughout the ceremony), I blessed all of you with a heartfelt bracha that was mentioned in one of the speeches, taken from a gemarah I recently learned. I paraphrase - May all your needs be met and your fate be eternal life in Olam Habah. May your hearts think with wisdom, your mouths speak with knowledge, your tongues sing joyous praises to Hashem. May your eyes see clearly the path of Torah and may the light of Torah shine through your eyes. May your lips express wisdom, determination and integrity and may you all always run in pursuit of Hashem’s truth. Have a wonderful shabbos everyone. We can’t wait to see you all soon IY"H. I DO love you all always, ’d’
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