What I Worry About
The Brisker Rav, Harav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik was extremely careful in every area of halachah, always checking that he was doing his utmost to fulfill whatever the Torah demanded of him at any given moment. He was genuinely fearful of the possibility of transgressing any aveirah. But those who knew him could attest that his fear stemmed from his deep yiras Shamyim and was only evident in relation to spiritual matters. In all other areas, he was completely calm and unconcerned. When he and his family were escaping Europe during World War II, it was necessary to forge a passport for one of his daughters. The ruthless NKVD (precursor to the KGB) got wind of the forgery and summoned Rav Yitzchak Zev to their headquarters. The Rav showed up to the hearing without a trace of fear, completely reliant on Hashem. When the Soviet police saw how truly calm and confident he was, they assumed he had done no wrong, and, uncharacteristically, they released him without punishment.
In contrast, when it seemed that the family would have to be mechallel Shabbos in order to save their lives, Rav Yitzchak Zev was frantic with worry and could not relax until it was clear that it would not indeed be necessary to transgress the holy day.
The Brisker Rav would explain his fear of sin and constant concern with carrying out Hashem’s Will in the following way: “Chazal tell us that a person checks his pockets to make sure his money is there. Even when one has just a few cents in his pockets, he cannot take his mind off of them. And if a person has a large sum of money in there, surely, he will be on guard to make sure his money is safe.
“My Torah and mitzvos are truly valuable, and that’s why I am constantly worried about them!”
Learn to appreciate the true value of Torah and mitzvos, your most valuable acquisitions.
Take This Home
When you’re about to skip or skimp on a mitzvah today, guard your chance. Here are some ideas: Stay in shul for the final Kaddish, say your next berachah out loud, stand still and read Asher Yatzer from a text. Do it now and do it right. The opportunities are limitless – and they’re there for your benefit!
In Short
In Parshas Chayei Sarah, after Sarah Imeinu died, the Torah writes, “Vayavo Avraham l’spod l’Sarah u’livkosah – Avraham Avinu cried for Sarah rather than about Sarah. Avraham was crying for what Sarah had lost with her petirah: she could no longer acquire mitzvos in this world.
It Happened to Me!
My Olam Haba Moment
We bought an array of fruit for Tu B’Shvat, including several less common varieties, planning to make a berachah of Shehechayanu on one of them. Someone brought to our attention that it was questionable whether we could make the berachah on these fruits, so we called a rav for guidance. His response was that it was not clear whether we could make Shehechayanu in this case and therefore it was better to refrain. We were disappointed, especially since in years past we had made a Shehechayanu, but in Yiddishkeit it’s not about what feels good – rather, it’s about doing ratzon Hashem. With that mindset, not making the berachah felt good!
S.L.
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