By Rabbi Yossi Gordon, Director of Chabad on Campus
Sholom Aleichem. Imagine a priceless thing that no one wants. If it’s priceless, why doesn’t everyone want it? If no one wants it, why is it priceless? Please read on:

When the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn (1880-1950), left Soviet Russia after miraculously being freed from a death sentence, he was asked for his reaction to his recent experiences. He answered:

“If you wanted to give me a million dollars to go through it again, I would refuse. But if you wanted to give me a million dollars to erase one moment of the suffering I just went through, I would refuse that too.”

One seldom encounters a person who stands up for what is right even when life itself hangs in the balance. People who are harassed by powerful governments and hold steadfast to truth and their belief in G-d’s mercy are indeed heroic. You might think that I am describing a case that happened under some villainous totalitarian regime. Sadly, I am referring to events that occur in these hallowed (Yes, I really mean hallowed, as in sacred) United States of America.

No Sale! – Parshas Behar-Bechukosai

By Rabbi Yossi Gordon, Director of Chabad on Campus

Sholom Aleichem. Imagine a priceless thing that no one wants. If it’s priceless, why doesn’t everyone want it? If no one wants it, why is it priceless? Please read on:

When the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn (1880-1950), left Soviet Russia after miraculously being freed from a death sentence, he was asked for his reaction to his recent experiences. He answered:

“If you wanted to give me a million dollars to go through it again, I would refuse. But if you wanted to give me a million dollars to erase one moment of the suffering I just went through, I would refuse that too.”

One seldom encounters a person who stands up for what is right even when life itself hangs in the balance. People who are harassed by powerful governments and hold steadfast to truth and their belief in G-d’s mercy are indeed heroic. You might think that I am describing a case that happened under some villainous totalitarian regime. Sadly, I am referring to events that occur in these hallowed (Yes, I really mean hallowed, as in sacred) United States of America.

This past week I had the pleasure of participating in an impromptu Farbrengen (Chassidic gathering). Present was a Jew who seemed like all the rest of us there. Then he told his story. He had been accused of by a government informant who was looking for something to lighten his own problems with the Feds, so he served up this Jew. The informant found the agents of the federal government more interested in getting convictions and their careers enhanced than truth and justice. So this man was arrested. His family was traumatized and nearly ruined financially.

Never during his ordeal, not even once, did he ever doubt that he would be freed. He was sure that it was all only a test. Eventually, he was indeed found not guilty and the presiding judge even reprimanded the prosecution for even bringing the case!

Sitting together, I must admit that I felt small. I felt a twinge of envy. I felt small in front of his amazing faith in G-d despite the months of apparent uncertainty. I felt envy for a person who passed a daunting test. He has a priceless thing, his test that he passed. But I would never want it nevertheless. Priceless, but no one wants it.

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, the Torah instructs Jewish farmers in Israel to observe the Shemittah, the seventh year when the land is to lie fallow. Now imagine this farmer who works his land every year to make his living. How is he supposed to survive a year without work? Well, the Torah asks that very question.

“And if you shall say: What shall we eat in the seventh year? [G-d answers] I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. You shall sow on the eighth year and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in, you shall eat of the old store.”

The Jewish farmer is meant to rely on G-d to provide for him. When he observes Shemittah, G-d promises him that he will not only have enough for the sixth year and the year off, he will have enough for the year after too. After all, he needs to eat while he works the land in the eighth year! Pretty good deal!

Consider this: The Jewish farmer who observes Shemittah exhibits great trust in G-d. He is relying on Him to provide. His question of “What shall we eat?” is 100% legitimate. The Torah even expects him to ask it.

That fellow who I met this week exceeded the faith of the Torah’s farmer because he never even questioned! His test was not about a year or two of salary, rather about his entire life. He was facing some thirty plus years behind bars! The statistics are that extremely few are found to be not guilty! Yet, he knew it was all a test. His exoneration proves that that is all it was indeed.

Let the Almighty send us Moshiach already. Our heroes have passed the tests. Enough is enough. How much longer must we wait? May it be with mercy and may it be NOW!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Shabbat Shalom!! L“Chaim!!! Chazak!!!!

This Torah Thought is dedicated in loving memory of Schabse Noach ben Moshe z”l and in honor of the immediate complete restoration to robust good health of Ruchama Aliza Sara Chana bas Esther Lieba (www.babyaliza.com) amongst “sha’ar choilei Yisroel!”

3 Comments

  • I smell Lawsiut

    “…the presiding judge even reprimanded the prosecution for even bringing the case!”

    Sounds like a milicous perseqution or civil rights violation lawsuit can be braught. Contact your local civil rights lawyer.