Weekly Story: Whose Accomplishment Is It?
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
The purpose of the Weekly Story is that it should lead up to a thoughtful discussion or farbrengen connected to that concept, and I am grateful to the many individuals who have informed me that it is indeed discussed at their Shabbos table or in their dvar Torah in shul. I will use lasts weeks story of not underestimating the ability and character of our youth, to be the introduction to this weeks farbrengen/thought.
In the beginning of this weeks parsha, the Torah instructs us that the first born son is to receive a double portion. Then the possuk states, this applies even if the man had two wives and by both of them their first child was a boy. However, the man loves the second wife more than the first and he desires to bequeath the double portion to the son of the wife he loves over the firstborn of his first wife.
The Torah than informs us that the law is; “You are not allowed to do this! Rather the son of the “hated” wife is to be recognized as he is the first born.”
In Toras Chaim (by the Mitteler Rebbe) on parshas Toldos and in ohr Hatotak (by the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedak) on this weeks parsh, the question is asked; we know that the Torah uses the metaphor of husband and wife to describe the relationship between Hashem and bnei Yisroel. Hashem has only one “wife” and that is us! So how could the Torah describe it that there are “two wives”? He has sworn that we will not be replaced!!
They answer, that there is indeed only one “wife”. However, there can be two feelings towards “her”. One is a feeling of love, which refers to the “good times”, [such as matan Torah, the times of the prophets and the beis hamikdash, etc.]. At those times the world was able to see the beautiful connection \that bnei Yistoel enjoyed with Hashem. Then there is the time of exile, where we don’t always feel the love that Hashem has for us. In fact to many it seems the opposite, And that is what the Torah means the son of the “hated” wife. It is referencing the children of ours that grew up in these “dark days” of exile.
The Torah continues, “And it will be when He wants to bequeath to His sons, He can not overlook the son of the “hated” one and favor the son of the “beloved” one. For the son of the “hated” one should be recognized.”
So the Mitteler Rebbe and the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek explain this to mean: And it will be when Moshiach comes, may it be speedily in our days, the question will be; who deserves the credit for accomplishing this tremendous feat of finally revealing the glory and essence of Hashem in this world? Whose actions actually caused it?
Some may want to look at the great personalities of the previous generations, those who accomplished tremendous things in the “good days”. The great Tanaiim or Amaoriim, or the leading tzaddikim in the later generations, the geonim and rishonim, such as the Rambam, Rashi, the Arizal, or the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezeritch and their disciples the Rebbeim etc. as well as their leading chassidim, Reb Hillel Paritcher, Reb Isaac Homiler, or perhaps even the great chassidim of the previous generation, Reb Yonah Poltava, Reb Yaakov Muskalnik, Reb Peretz Mockin etc etc etc. They and their contemporaries are responsible for this accomplishment.
So the Torah replies with an emphatic NO!!
Credit it is due to the children who grew up in the time of darkness. The children who did not experience the wonderful warmth and caring, by basking in the presence of the shechina and tzaddikim; and yet nonetheless they stood firm, steadfast and resolute in their conviction, not to be swayed by the tidal wave of the times. It is they who have to be recognized. Their accomplishment is considered greater than those outstanding individuals of the previous generations.
So to all the talmidim that are beginning a new year in Yeshiva, and all of those who were not zoche to be present at a farbrengen etc., don’t feel dejected.
The Mitteler Rebbe and the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek stated that it is your strong conviction and devotion that is bringing about the geulah hasheima with Moshiach Tzidkeinu. You see that there is a world out there, but you are not interested in it. Your only interest is in learning Toras Hashem and following the directives of ahvohdov hanevi’im (His servants the prophets).
Be strong and succeed, and we all will benefit from your success.
A kesiva v’chasima tova.
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech (educator) and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He is available to farbreng or speak in your community and can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com
Rabbi K from BMG
Based on this metaphorical explanation: Why does the son of hated wife need to be a first born?
Furthermore, the earlier generation seen “older” and more similar to being first born then the later generation of golus?
The first born has a leadership role in the family (setting the pathway for his siblings), therefore he is given double to reward and prepay him of his role.
This does not apply to the generation of golus which “if the earlier generation were humans, we are like donkeys…”.
I am trying to digest the holy words but don’t have the utensils needed.
Rabbi Sholom Avtzon
You are not the only one who asked me about this, and as you noted at the end it is an attempt to fully comprehend the words of the Rebbeim.
So I will give you my understanding as I explained shabbos by a ufrauf kiddish farbrengen.
We say or sing Friday night Eishes Chayil. One of the last pesukim is sheker hachein v’heivel hayoifie isha yiras Elokim he tishalul – charm is deceptive and beauty is nahgt; a G-d fearing woman is the one to be praised.
The midrash states one this Sheker hachein is referring to the generation that received the Torah. Heivel hayoifie is referring to the generations that lived during the time of the Beis Hamikdash. The generation to be praised is the Jews that are in golus and unlike their predecessors they don’t openly see the glory and miracles of Hashem, yet they are nevertheless steadfast in their commitment.
So while it is true that they are giants and we are midgets however the Torah states and Moshe was the most humble man on the earth and our commentators explain is that Moshe Raibeinu saw the generation of ikvisa dmishicha the generation before the redemption and was humbled by their commitment to Hashem and to learn His Torah and follow His mitzvos.
So we see that while in many aspects we are not close to their level of greatness, their is a certain quality in the Avoda of this generation.
This is akin to what the Rebbe explains in a maamar that while the tekias shofar during the month of Elul is only a minhag (custom) whereas the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a mitzvah of the Torah, nevertheless, their is a certain elevation in the blowing of the shofar in Elul over rosh Hashanah that this is our avodah.
I wish you a kesiva vchasima tova lshana tova umesuka.