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From the desk of Rabbi Nissim Lagziel, Mashpia in Oholei Torah

BEGIN WITH A GRIN

A policeman stops a pedestrian for not obeying the traffic sign.

“Sir, do you know how to read?”

“Of course.”

“What does this traffic sign say?”

“Stop, children crossing.”

“Then why didn’t you stop?”

“Because I’m 34!”

OBEY FIRST, ASK LATER

Although I usually end with a story, this time, I’ll start with a story, one told by the Rebbe many times. At the beginning of the Shivchei HaAri he brings the following story:

“One erev Shabbos, close to Shabbos, he went with his students outside the city of Tzfas… to welcome the Shabbos… As they sang, he said to his students: Do you want to go to Yerushalayim before Shabbos and we will make Shabbos in Yerushalayim? – and Yerushalayim is more than twenty-five parsa’os from Tzfas (each parsa being between 2.25 and 3 miles).

“Some of the students said yes, while some students said: Let us first go and tell our wives – in the language of the Gemara, “I will go and consult with my wife” – as soon as they said they would first go home, the Rav began to tremble greatly and said: Woe to us that we did not have the merit to be redeemed. If you had all told me that you want to go very happily, all Jews would have immediately been redeemed, since now is the time to be redeemed. And since you refused, the galus returned due to our many sins.”

What connection is there between this story and the parsha, parshas Shoftim? And what message can we derive from it for our daily lives in connection with bringing the Geula?

In parshas Shoftim, the Torah focuses on the legal system. Every legal system in the world (should be) built on a foundation of justice, fairness and purity of middos. Moshe guides the nation and its future leaders about the proper Torah-Jewish way to establish an effective system of law enforcement, worthy of its name.

One of the basic rules of Torah justice is the mitzva to obey what the sages say, as it says in our parsha (17:11), “According to the law they instruct you and according to the judgment they say to you, you shall do; you shall not divert from the word they tell you, either right or left.” Even if what the rav or judge says seems to us to contradict the Torah or halacha, we must listen, we must obey. As our Sages say, “Even if they tell you that left is right, and right is left.”

The story quoted above is an excellent example of this. On the face of it, how can the statement “I will go and consult my wife” contradict bringing the Geula? Those students did exactly what Jewish law says to do. The Shulchan Aruch says that in order to leave home, permission should be asked of the Mrs. Especially when leaving the house and family before Shabbos! Imagine what not asking would do to the couple’s shalom bayis… So why should this delay the Geula?

The answer is in the Gemara (Eiruvin 67b), “With regard to a Torah law, we first raise objections and then we perform an act, i.e., if someone has an objection to a proposed action, we must first clarify the matter and only then may we proceed. However, with regard to rabbinic laws, we first perform an act and then we raise objections.”

What’s the logic in this? It would seem that if something is forbidden, why do it first and then ask questions? Why not wait and find out?

OBEY THOSE IN THE KNOW

Any beginner student of Torah, namely any child who learned in cheder would say that the reason for the difference is simple. The laws of the Torah are more stringent and therefore, we need to clarify them before doing a given action. Rabbinic laws are “lighter,” which is why it’s not so terrible if you act first and ask afterward… for even if there was a mistake, it’s not as big a deal.

But someone loyal to the teachings of Chassidus and the Rebbe’s unique approach, knows that the Rebbe would never explain the Gemara in such a demeaning way. Something deep lies within here, but what?

The Rebbe explains that the opposite is correct! When it comes to Torah laws, one can argue and discuss and bring proofs this way and that way, to argue that the reasoning tends to one way, whereas the verse seems to indicate the other way, and so on.

But when it comes to the rabbinic laws, i.e. an instruction transmitted to us by the sages of the generation, what’s needed is, first obey! Do it, and then ask questions. Because if the sage/judge/Rebbe told you, he knows what he’s saying and there’s no room for questions!

As the Rebbe put it, “It’s impossible to bring Moshiach with such conduct, that when hearing an instruction from the Arizal, one takes out the Shulchan Aruch and ask a rav for peshat in the Be’er Heiteiv… to see that there’s no contradiction! Moshiach cannot be brought in this way!”

This is not only the way of Chassidus, but the way of Torah. According to Nigleh too, every student, every Jew who is loyal to Hashem and His Torah, must know that the leaders of the Jewish people, the sages of the Torah in our generation, are scholars, “somewhat greater” than us, and we can rely on them. And if you have a question, it is only because you lack real toil in Torah. If you studied and delved into the matter, patiently, you would see that they are right.

From the Chassidic perspective, the obligation to listen to the Rebbe is sourced in true, firm hiskashrus. When a Chassid is truly mekushar to his Rebbe, he obeys unquestioningly. As the previous Rebbe said, “In Lubavitch, one doesn’t ask why.”

The message for us is clear. In order to bring the Geula, we cannot wait until each person understands why he needs to behave a certain way and why the Rebbe singled out that thing, and why and how come, and when, and how is it possible… Enough with the questions because the real answer for bringing the Geula is absolute obedience!

TO CONCLUDE WITH A STORY

We will also end with a story, one told by the mashpia, R’ Mendel Futerfas. One of the Chassidim of the Rebbe Maharash was a businessman, a rich man who invested him money mainly in lumber. Being a Chassid, he did not make a serious move in life without asking the Rebbe.

He was once asked to invest in a new business. It had become the style in Russia to drink something called kvass, and it seemed that with a small investment and a large market that the profits would be very great. He went to Lubavitch and had yechidus with the Rebbe Maharash and presented the offer. He noted that the experts said it was very worthwhile and asked for the Rebbe’s consent and blessing.

The Rebbe listened attentively to all the details and then said: No. I don’t think it’s worthwhile getting involved with this.

The Chassid was disappointed. He had been sure that it wasn’t much of a question and went just to receive a bracha. He had not expected a flat-out no.

He returned home dispirited and when merchants came to finalize the deal, he despondently said he could not get involved because the Rebbe told him not to.

“Impossible!” they said. “Go back to the Rebbe and explain all the positive reasons and surely you will get his consent and blessing.”

The Chassid wasn’t comfortable going back after he had already gotten a no, but decided to do so anyway. He traveled to Lubavitch and had yechidus once again. He reviewed the details of the deal and added points that hadn’t been mentioned previously. He made sure to say that the experts all thought it was very worthwhile and would generate a large profit, and finally asked for the Rebbe’s consent and blessing.

The Rebbe heard him out and said: I already said no and told you that I don’t think this is worthwhile.

The Chassid was disappointed yet again and his friends did not accept this answer. He finally caved in and went to Lubavitch a third time. He practically cried to the Rebbe: Rebbe, they all tell me that it’s an opportunity of a lifetime. In what way did I sin that I cannot do something so worthwhile? When I profit, I will give so much to tzedaka!

The Rebbe listened and said: I already said my opinion two times, that it is not worthwhile getting involved with this and I can only repeat that.

The Chassid returned home brokenhearted. His friends pressed him and he could not withstand the test. For the first time in his life he did business without receiving the Rebbe’s consent and blessing and even went against what the Rebbe said.

What happened was not surprising. The businessman invested nearly all this wealth to manufacture the drink, expecting big profits, but it never happened. Things didn’t go according to plan and part of the merchandise was lost, another part remained stuck in warehouses, and he was almost completely wiped out.

Because there needs to be absolute obedience!

Good Shabbos!

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