D'Var Torah - Shavuos by Rabbi Baruch Lederman
Rabbi Eli Rosenholtz told me that Reb Dovid
Leibowitz ztz"l, Rosh U'meyaseid Yeshivas
Chofetz Chaim (RSA), used to cite the Talmudic
dictum, that one should learn not only from the
teachings of his rebbi, but from his actions.
Reb Dovid would then exhort his talmidim
(students): It looks like this speaking to the
talmidim, telling them to observe and learn from
their every facet of their Rebbi; but it is also
speaking to the Rebbi, it is saying that we must
strive to be the type of Rebbi that our talmidim
can learn from all our actions.
Rav
Shlomo Heiman ztz"l was a Rebbi in New York. One
day there was a blizzard, so when he arrived to
give his shuir (lecture), his normally crowded
shiur had only four boys. As was his custom he
gave a dynamic, booming, dramatic discourse. He
was as animated as if he were giving the shiur
to a huge assembly. One of the boys asked him
why he gave such a powerful presentation when
there were only four boys present. He answered,
"Do you think I was giving the shiur only to
you? I was giving it for you and all your
talmidim and talmidim of your talmidim. I was
giving it for the generations to come. I had to
give my all."
The
following story from the Talmud (Brachos 11a)
illustrates both of the above principles. Rebbi
Yishmael and Rebbi Elazar ben Azariah were
lodging at an inn. While they were dining, Reb
Yishmael was reclining and Rab Elazar was
standing up. When it came time to say the krias
Shema, Rebbi Elazar reclined.
Suddenly, Rebbi Yishmael rose upright and stood
to recite the Shema. Rebbi Elazar asked him why
he suddenly stood up. It puzzled Rebbi Elazar
that as soon as he reclined, Rebbi Yishmael rose
up. What's more, the halacha is that you are
allowed to say Shema lying or standing. Why did
Rebbi Yishmael see a need to stand up?
Rebbi Elazar commented, "My brother Yishmael,
your conduct reminds me of a person who receives
compliments on his beard and responds by shaving
it off."
Rebbi Yishmael replied as follows: "We all know
that there is a dispute between the sages of
Bais Shammai and the sages of Bais Hillel
regarding the recitation of Shema. Bais Shammai
says that uvshacbcha uvkumecha (in your
reclining and in you arising) means to say the
morning Shema upright and the evening Shema
reclining. Bais Hilled holds that uvshacbcha
uvkumecha is not telling us what position we
need to be in, it simply means to describe the
times we say Shema: uvshacbcha means evening
(when you recline) and uvkumecha means morning
(when you arise). But the Shema can be recited
in either position.
Since both you and I were reclining during our
recitation of Shema, I was afraid that the
talmidim might observe us and assume that we
ruled like Bais Shammai, which would be an error
as we do not poskin (rule) this way. I arose so
that they would see us each in a different
position and realize that the halacha is in
accordance with Bais Hillel that you may recite
Shema in whichever position you choose."
Rebbi Yishmael was ever aware that his students
would be learning and making conclusions from
his actions. He realized that his actions,
though perfectly valid, could cause confusion
amongst the students, for the students are
always watching, observing and absorbing. He
also realized that the students would go on to
teach others. A momentary confusion could turn
into an error in Jewish Law that could last for
generations.
We
all are teachers in one way or another, whether
as a Rabbi with talmidim, a parent with
children, a faithful active Jew within our
community. It means so much for us to realize
that our actions have a far reaching, long
lasting effect on others. We can strive to be
the type of person whose actions and whose very
essence provides illumination and inspiration to
others.
Dedicated by Simcha Gleich, l'zecher nishmas
Yehudis bas Elchonon.
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Congregation Kehillas Torah, San Diego, CA
www.kehillastorah.org.
