Much of this week's Parsha is devoted to the topic of keeping kosher. The Jewish attitude to kosher observance is quite unique. It is not that Kosher food is cleaner, healthier, and tastier. Rather, we are willing to acknowledge that non-kosher food is very tempting. But eating non-kosher food is against Torah law. In fact our Rabbis clarify our attitude when they tell us, "Do not say, 'I couldn't possibly eat pork.' I most definitely could, but my Father in heaven has told me not to."
Why is this attitude which recognizes temptation so important? Because there will be times that you will be truly tempted to do the wrong thing. Sometimes you will encounter bad which is really appealing. If you observe merely because it is attractive to do so then temptation might be too great for you. But if you recognize observance as a decision, then when challenged you can say, "It sounds tempting. But my Father in heaven has instructed me..."
One of the most important stories about the Chofetz Chayim is when as a young boy he took an apple from a vendor without paying for it. A few days later, when his Rebbe discussed the laws of theft, young Yisroel Meir realized that he had done wrong. He asked his mother for a coin to buy something, and then proceeded to buy an apple from the same vendor. When she gave him an apple he promptly placed it back in her cart.
Some people think that the Chofetz Chayim was simply born saintly and righteous, and lived his life without challenge. They think the Chofetz Chayim was born without temptation to steal, to waste time, or to speak Lashon Horah. Such an attitude makes for good folk tale material. But it isn't accurate. Little Yisroel Meir became the legendary Chofetz Chayim because when he was challenged he said, "It sounds tempting. But my Father in heaven told me not to."
Understanding challenge is key to success in our own lives and the lives of our children and students whom we mentor.
When Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman was in the United States raising money for his Yeshiva in Europe he was once driven through the streets of Manhattan. It was Thanksgiving Day, and Rabbi Wasserman sensed that there was something big happening on the next street. Although the driver was trying to avoid the congested streets near the parade, Rabbi Wasserman insisted that they park the car and walk over to witness the festivities.
After watching the festivities for a few minutes Rabbi Wasserman told the driver that he was now ready to return to the car. When the driver expressed confusion over the great Rabbi's behavior, Rabbi Wasserman explained simply, "Now I understand."
"I have many American students in my Yeshiva," the Rabbi continued, "students who traveled from America to Europe to study Torah. It is my responsibility as their mentor to understand their challenges, to appreciate the magnitude of their decisions. I need to understand the culture in which they grew up- the pomp and glitz which they gave up in order to study Torah. It was worth the few minutes to watch the parade. Now I can better understand them."
Appreciating challenge is a very powerful way to reach success. We may encounter a craving to say, to eat, or to do something that is not correct. It is much more comfortable when the "kosher" way is tastier, cleaner, and clearly more healthy. But sometimes we have this craving. The conflict between the desire to do the right thing and the desire to fulfill the craving can sometimes make it feel like our body is not working properly.
One eye-opening attitude is to think of G-d as your exercise coach. As a person becomes stronger greater challenges are placed before him. After all, an exercise bike would not be much of an exercise bike if not for the tension control that can be adjusted. The fact that life is sometimes comfortable and sometimes challenging means that you are living life productively.
I am reminded of a man who is told by his wife that the blinker on their car is not working. He takes the car to the mechanic, and after a bit of tinkering the mechanic tells the man to go to the back of the car and see if the blinker is now working. The man stares at the back of the car as the mechanic turns the blinker on. The man calls out, "Now it is working...now it's not... Now it's working... now it's not."
The message of the Torah is that sometimes mitzvos will come naturally, but that is not always the case. That doesn't mean anything is wrong. Sometimes there will be a very real craving to do the wrong thing. The Jew might be heard saying, "I'd really like to, but my Father in heaven has told me not to."
And if you listen closely you will hear G-d's Voice as well as He says, "I know that it is tempting. I know about the parades, I know about your challenges, I know where you are coming from. As I assign this new exercise to you, I am with you, and I have confidence that you will succeed."
With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos,
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine
Torah Links of Cherry Hill
www.teach613.org
www.onlinelinks.org
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I am pleased to invite the women to a new series which will focus on Shemirat Halashon (Watching our Speech). The series starts Monday, March 31st at 9:20pm at the home of Cindy Katz 21 Appley Ct. 856-321-1981. Our plan is to have guided study from 9:30-10:10pm and responses to pre-submitted questions from 10:10-10:30pm. Questions can be submitted to Katz_crew@yahoo.com.
You are cordially invited to a special Pre-Passover Lecture entitled
Egypt: An Appointment with Humanity
Presented by Rabbi David Ordman
International Lecturer for the Arachim & Gateways Organizations
at the Torah Links Judaic Center 304-D Kresson Road
7:30 PM Buffet Dinner; 8:00 PM Lecture
Suggested Donation: $8 per person
To RSVP, or for more information please contact Rabbi Mordechai Rhine at rmrhine@torahlinks.org, or Rabbi Yisroel Tzvi Serebrowski at 908-770-8248, or yserebrowski@torahlinks.org
PLEASE HOLD THE DATE: April 7 at 7:30pm for the annual Pesach Shiur entitled, "What's new for Pesach 2008," with special focus on practical tips for the Shabbos before Pesach. This presentation will be held at Young Israel of Cherry Hill, 817 Cooper Landing Road. Men and women are invited.
Please Note: Attached is the form to authorize sale of your chometz. I will be available in Young Israel for this purpose on April 6 from 8:30-9:00pm, on April 13 from 8-9:00pm, on April 14 from 8-9:00pm, on April 15 from 9:15-9:45pm, or by appointment. Please feel free to contact me at 856-667-4095 or 908-770-9072.
Monday night Tehillim class will meet this week, March 31, 8:00pm at Young Israel.
With best wishes,
Rabbi Rhine
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine is the Co-Director of Torah Links of Cherry Hill, and the Rabbi of Young Israel of Cherry Hill. His book, “The Magic of Shabbos,” (The Judaica Press, 1998) is available at Judaica stores worldwide. Additional articles by this author are available at his web site www.teach613.org.
To see more articles from this author go to www.teach613.org