Rav Avigdor Miller זצ"ל on Drinking on Purim

Rav Avigdor Miller on How to be a Purim Drunk Q: What should be our attitude towards those who become shikur on Purim?  A: We have to know that the purpose of our lives is to acquire da’as, not to lose da’as. When a person becomes very intoxicated so he is already b’geder beheima, he’s in the category of an animal, and that’s no praise for him at all. However, sometimes in order to raise the airplane off the ground, you have to put high octane fuel into the tank to help get liftoff. And therefore, in order to make yourself more enthusiastic it’s the proper thing, there’s nothing wrong with imbibing a certain amount. But to get out of control, that’s a mistake. It’s not a kiddush Hashem; you make yourself look disgusting. No, I don’t approve of that, it’s very wrong, very wrong. And therefore, although it’s a mitzvah on Purim nichnas yayin yatza sod, you have to be very careful that nichnas yayin, the wine should come in to you, and yatza sod, and the secret of the Jew comes out. יין is gematria seventy, and סוד is also gematria seventy. So the seventy of wine comes in and it pushes out the secret that the Jew keeps inside him. So the Jew has in his neshama a love of Hashem, only that he’s too bashful to talk about it. He’s enthusiastic for the Torah and mitzvos but he’s embarrass to show it. But when the wine comes in, so the truth comes out and it shows his real pnimiyus. When he’s a little bit intoxicated the Jew shows the real enthusiasm that he possesses, things that he never showed before. So therefore, Purim is a great opportunity for people to demonstrate their loyalty to the Torah, their emunah in Hakodosh Boruch Hu, that He’s protecting us at all times, and that eventually we will conquer, we will outlive all of our enemies. All this and much more we can demonstrate on Purim; and we are able to do it when we evoke, we elicit, the greatness of which we are capable. We have it in ourselves! And a little bit of mashkeh helps out, no question about it. Of course, Purim is a great day of da’as in general. And we should try to make it as much as possible important in the eyes of our children, and in our family and in our community. Make a big fuss out of Purim! And the Purim seudah should be a very important affair, a very important seudah. And by making Purim very prominent in our lives, then it becomes one of the jewels, one of the most beautiful tachshitim on the luach of the Jewish year. TAPE # 867  (March 1992) Q: How do I utilize drinking עד דלא ידע in order to serve Hashem? A: עד דלא ידע בין ארור המן לברוך מרדכי. I'll tell you one peirush. It means עד ולא עד בכלל. You drink up to the point of losing your da'as. You drink just enough. But not enough to lose your da'as. On Purim you have to have da'as. You have to have more da'as on Purim, not less. Now, a little bit of da'as can be gained by drinking. A little bit. Oh yes; it's like an airplane that needs high octane gas to get up in the air. A little bit of alcohol helps your spirit go higher. Yes, a little bit of mashkeh. But too much alcohol will sink you. And therefore, there's no use in falling asleep in the middle of Purim like a drunken goy and then they have to call Hatzalah. On Purim you should be gaining da'as and if you utilize the day properly, it'll be a day of da'as. And you won't be gaining any da'as lying on the floor waiting for Hatzalah to come. TAPE # E-225 (March 2000)

Source: .TorasAvigdor.org Chag Purim Sameach everyone!

Parshas Vayikra Messages 5779

בּ“ה

Parshas Vayikra

This edition of Shabbos Sparks is dedicated l’zechus refuah shleimah mi’heira

to my Rebbe, HaRav Elyakim Getzel ben Sarah.

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‘And He [Hashem] called to Moshe -- ויקרא אל משה’ (Vayikra 1:1)

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In a Torah Scroll, the letter א in the word ויקרא is written small.  The Seforim explain that this comes to hint to us that Torah study (alluded to by the letter אלף spelled out -- see Iyov 33:33) will not endure except in someone who “makes themselves small” i.e. humble.  

(Quoted in Maayanah Shel Torah)

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‘And He [Hashem] called to Moshe -- ויקרא אל משה’ (Vayikra 1:1)

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Many, many lessons and things are derived from the small א (see above).  But overall, one of the big lessons we learn from the small א is how much can be derived from every last detail in the Torah:  From one letter -- a small one even! -- there are so, so many insights and lessons to be gleaned. Just imagine one word, or sentence!  Indeed, the holy Torah is endlessly deep.

(Tal U’Matar)

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Tells us Rebbe Shlomo of Radomsk zt”l:  Just as with a simple animal, when a Jewish person says over it “Korban” (“Offering”), immediately it is sanctified with a high level of holiness, so much so that its blood is sprinkled in the Sanctuary, kal vachomer (all the more so) if a person accepts upon themselves and declares: “From today and onwards I will be holy to Hashem!” then certainly, immediately, great holiness is rested upon them.  

(Vi’karasa L’Shabbos Oneg)

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‘If his Offering is an Olah. . .’ (Vayikra 1:3)

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We are taught that one of the things that an Olah-offering atoned for was a sinful thought.

Explains Rabbeinu Bachya zt”l:  The Olah-offering is listed before the rest of the offerings in the parsha.  And by way of the simple interpretation, it is because thought comes before everything, and a sin of thoughts about something bad comes before the actual sin in action.

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|~Maaseh~| There was once a young man who had, let’s say, taken an “alternate route” to end up in Yeshiva:  He had left his home in Brooklyn many years earlier to move out West, and explore Native American culture.

For many years, he lived amongst Native Americans in Montana, and had essentially become one of them.  However, when he met with one of their elders, who was said to possess the deepest of wisdoms, she encouraged him to return home and pursue Judaism!  

Feeling very disheartened and confused, he made his way back home, and somehow -- through Divine Providence -- ended up knocking on HaRav Shlomo Freifeld zt”l’s door.  Rav Freifeld listened to the young man's story and was genuinely fascinated!  He asked the young man what his greatest interest was, and the man said he is very interested in horses.  

They conversed about various types of horses for a while, and then Rav Freifeld had to go, but invited his young guest to meet him again at his office the next day.  The young man was impressed by Rav Freifeld’s willingness to speak with him about horses, so the next day he returned, and again began to speak about his interest in wildlife and nature for quite some time.  

Their daily meetings continued on for some time, until one day, Rav Freifeld had to leave his office to tend to an urgent matter.  The young man was waiting in the office for a few minutes when he saw out of the corner of his eye some books lying on the floor behind Rav Freifeld’s desk.  The young man knew enough to know that Jewish books are holy and shouldn’t be left lying on the floor, so he bent down to pick them up and put them on the desk.  

However, when he bent down to pick up the books, he saw that these were actually not Jewish books. . . they were books about horses from the library!  It turns out that Rav Freifeld went to the library and took out several books on horses to read, in order to familiarize himself with the topic to be able to maintain a conversation with this young man.  

Needless to say, this young man was deeply moved and overwhelmed by Rav Freifeld’s effort to connect with him, and it made a lasting impression upon him.

(Told over in a Dvar Torah of my Rebbe, HaRav Binyomin Goldstein

shlit”a.  For the unabridged version, see the book ‘Reb Shlomo’)

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Gut and meaningful Shabbos to all!

UPDATE on Rav Rosenblatt shlit"a

B"H

Shalom aleichem and good afternoon.  Baruch Hashem Yisbarach, there has been some improvement in Rav Rosenblatt shlit"a's condition.  He is not sedated anymore; he opened his eyes for a second or so, and he moved his legs (all B"H!).  

However, he is still in need of rachamei Shamayim.  Please continue to daven and say Tehillim for HaRav Elyakim Getzel ben Sara.

B'Ezras Hashem Yisbarach there will continue to be more and more improvement.  And may all of our tefillos continue to be answered!!!!

Kol Tuv!

Parshas Pekudei Messages 5779

בּ“ה

Parshas Pekudei

Unfortunately, around 4 or 5 AM Thursday morning, my dear Rebbe, HaRav Rosenblatt shlit"a had a severe stroke and so he is currently in the hospital.  Please, please be mispalel for HaRav Elyakim Getzel ben Sarah for a refuah shleimah.  May you be blessed for your efforts, and may all of our tefillos be answered!  These divrei Torah are all l'zechus refuah shleimah mi'heira for HaRav Elyakim Getzel ben Sarah, and may all the learning that come from them be so, as well!

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‘These are the countings of the Mishkan’ (Shemos 38:21)

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We read about it Parshas Pekudei a tally of the materials donated for the Mishkan, etc. and how they were used and appropriated.  It appears, says HaRav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, that this reckoning teaches us that we need to do an accounting on everything that HaKadosh Baruch Hu gave to us.  Our life; what are we doing with the time on this world that Hashem has granted us? Are we using it for Torah and Mitzvos, or, Chas V’Shalom, for nothingness and meaningless matters?  And our money; are we giving to charity requisitely?  Are we properly keeping the Halachos that deal with monetary matters?

And this applies to everything Hashem has kindly blessed us with -- all our strengths, our talents -- everything.  We need to ask ourselves; are we using them in accordance with Hashem’s Will?

(Darash Moshe)

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‘And the Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan. . .  And when the Cloud ascended from upon the Mishkan, the Bnei Yisroel would travel in all their journeys.  And if the Cloud would not ascend, and they would not travel until the day that it ascended.’ (Shemos 40:34, 36-37)

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With this topic we finish off the Book of Shemos.  That Hashem would lead the Bnei Yisroel, letting them know when they should travel and when they should not.

We must understand that this is true as well in our own lives:  Hashem leads us and helps us on the right path through life with certain signs and messages -- whatever they might be.  As we say in our morning blessings, ‘Who prepares the footsteps of man.’

This assurance that Hashem leads us and guides our way through decisions, etc. and is always involved in our personal lives is a wonderful way to leave -- and thing to leave with -- from Sefer Shemos.  And B’Ezras Hashem, to go forward with in the Holy Torah.

(Tal U’Matar)

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‘For the Cloud of Hashem was upon the Mishkan by day, and fire would be on it at night, before the eyes of the entire House of Yisroel in all their journeys.’ (Shemos 40:38)

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HaRav Shalom Schwadron zt”l suggests that this passuk alludes to the bitter Galus, Exile, that has been “home” to the Jewish People for the last few thousand years.  The passuk is telling us that during all of Klal Yisroel’s journeys, throughout the Exile following the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, “fire” has always been burning to guide us through the darkness of Galus.  What is this fire?  It is the Torah, as it says in Yirmiyahu (23:29); ‘Behold, My Words are like fire -- the Word of Hashem’.  This is a reference to the daled amos shel Halacha, “the four cubits of Torah Law,” -- a place where Torah is studied -- which illuminates the road for us as we travel through the long, harsh night of Exile.  

Adds HaRav Avraham Leib Scheinbaum shlit”a:  This is how it has been throughout our Exile.  The Torah has been our sanctuary, our island of serenity, our place of refuge, our tower of hope.  In the Torah, we have always felt that we were with Hashem. We never felt alone. The continued study of Torah was a remarkable phenomenon, especially during the Holocaust, when Jews turned bunkers, cellars or underground tunnels into Battei Midrash, houses of Torah study.  

In the Vilna Ghetto, an entire religious school system continued while the Nazi guards were unaware that it was going on.  In the Daltmorgan Camp in southern Germany, a group of Yeshiva students would convene at night to study Mishnayos.  This was after a day of hard labor in the clay pits.  Bone tired and near starvation, covered with vermin from lack of showers, they would listen as a young student from Novhardok recited chapter after chapter of Mishnayos aloud, from memory, and the rest would repeat after him.  Others studied Talmud by memory as they marched for hours in the biting cold.  Their bodies were cold, but their hearts were warmed by the fire of Torah.  They were not alone. Hashem dwelled -- and dwells -- in the daled amos shel Halacha which they maintained.

(Peninim on the Torah; sixteenth series)

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As we know, at the end of every Sefer of the Torah, we say the words ‘Chazak Chazak Vi’Nischazeik!’ -- ‘Be strong, be strong, and we will be strengthened!’

Rebbe Aharon of Chernobyl zt”l taught that the repetition -- ‘Chazak Chazak’ -- means that we must strengthen ourselves time and again to do the right thing.  Even if you tried once and failed, strengthen yourself and try again, a second time, and a third time, etc.  And if we do this, then ‘Vi’Nischazeik’ -- Hashem will help to strengthen us.

(Torah Wellsprings)

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|~Maaseh~| Once, government officials came to Rimanov, and said that they were commandeering the Shul to be used as a warehouse for army supplies.  The community leaders came to Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Rimanov zt”l for suggestions how they might be able to avert this tragedy.  One member of the community spoke up and said there might be a saving grace, because the roof of the Shul leaked, and if the officials became aware that the supplies may be damaged by water, they would forgo use of the Shul.  

Rebbe Menachem Mendel said, “What?!  You have allowed the Shul to fall into disrepair?  No wonder this has happened!  Hashem has punished you for evidencing disrespect for His House.  Have the roof repaired immediately and see that all necessary repairs are done, and you will see that they will withdraw their plan.”

The townspeople did as Rebbe Menachem Mendel had instructed, and, miraculously, when the Shul was repaired, they were notified that the government no longer needed it as a warehouse.

(Four Chassidic Masters)

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Gut and meaningful Shabbos to all!

Parshas Vayakhel Messages 5779

בּ“ה

Parshas Vayakhel

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‘And Moshe assembled the entire congregation of the Bnei Yisroel. . . And Moshe said to the entire congregation of the Bnei Yisroel. . . “Take from with yourselves a Portion for Hashem.”’ (Shemos 35:1,4,5)

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Says HaRav Avraham Leib Scheinbaum shlit”a:  In the first passuk of Parshas Vayakhel, Moshe Rabbeinu is addressing the entire nation b’hakhel, all-inclusively -- men, women and children -- and instructing them regarding the privilege of constructing the Mishkan.  

The Mitzvah of erecting the Mishkan is a communal Mitzvah.  Building a place where the Shechinah will dwell, a place from which all of Klal Yisroel will draw inspiration and holiness, must be done through the Tzibbur (community) -- together as a unit.  

HaRav Baruch Sorotzkin zt”l explains that for the entire Jewish People to derive spiritual inspiration and influence from the Mishkan, it is essential that they feel they have a part in it.  Therefore, even the poorest Jew was compelled to contribute towards the Mishkan, so that they would have a share in this edifice.

The Adanim -- which were the silver bases into which the Kerashim, wooden beams, were fitted -- were derived from a special collection from all of Klal Yisroel.  This was because the foundation of the Mishkan had to originate from everyone equally.  

We find later in Parshas Pekudei, that Moshe gave a complete reckoning of the silver, its proceeds and exactly how it was spent.  This was done to indicate that there was exactly enough silver, and every bit of it was used for the adanim.  This was unlike the gold and copper, which had a surplus.  Every individual had to feel that he had an equal share in the Mishkan’s foundation.

(Peninim on the Torah; sixteenth series)

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Notes HaRav Yehoshua Kalish shlit”a; the Torah seems to reiterate a lot when dealing with the Mishkan and the donations for it, the phrase ‘as Hashem commanded’ or something similar.  Why the repetition?

Explains Rav Kalish; according to the opinion of Chazal which Rashi zt”l quotes, the command to build the Mishkan, although listed before the sin of the Golden Calf, came chronologically after it, and was like an atonement for it.  

Now, the Beis HaLevi takes an interesting approach to the Cheit ha’eigel, saying that the root of it was that the Bnei Yisroel were trying to make their own way to serve Hashem -- unfortunately, one that wasn’t at all the proper way.

Putting these things together, Rav Kalish expounds that this is perhaps one of the messages of the commonly recurring refrain mentioned above:  It emphasized that the Mishkan, etc., was done and made exactly according to how Hashem had said, which was a complete atonement and correction for the Cheit ha’eigel, when Bnei Yisroel tried to serve Hashem in a way they made up, not the way Hashem proscribed.*

(Heard from Rav Kalish shlit”a)

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* See Hegyonah Shel Torah on Shemos 25:5

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‘And every man whose heart lifted him came, and all whose spirit inspired him, brought the Portion of Hashem for the work of the Tent of Meeting and for all its service, and for the holy garments.’ (Shemos 35:21)

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Explains the Chida {HaRav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai zt”l}:  It is known that the nature of people is that at times, there awakens in their heart the desire to do a good thing.  But after some time, the inspiration “cools down,” and in the end, the person may not even do the good thing they thought to.  

It was not so with the Mishkan:  The Torah praises the contributors to the building of the Mishkan that ‘every man whose heart lifted him came, and all whose spirit inspired him, brought the Portion of Hashem’.  The Bnei Yisroel actually upheld what they thought to do at first!

(Vi’karasa L’Shabbos Oneg)

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‘And they brought to him [Moshe Rabbeinu] further contribution every morning.’ (Shemos 36:3)

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We are taught that the Bnei Yisroel brought their contributions early in the morning while people were still sleeping so as to not be noticed [and to give in the optimal form -- anonymously].

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|~Maaseh~| It is related that once, a bochur was caught smoking in secret on Shabbos.  This caused a great uproar. The Chofetz Chaim zt”l was approached and asked what should be done with the bochur; should they remove him from the Yeshiva, or let him stay?  The Chofetz Chaim invited the bochur to his room, and spoke to him for around ten minutes, and when the bochur left, he was crying and regretting what he had done.  No one else knew what had gone on in Rav Yisroel Meir’s room, and the matter remained a secret for a long time.  

After some years, a Rav told over the story before the congregation, and in conclusion of his words he said: “It is too bad, very much so, that we did not ask the bochur what the Chofetz Chaim said to him, so that we would learn thereof how to deal with bochurim.” At the end of the Drosha, the congregation began to leave, each person going to their own house -- except for one person, who remained, and their head was inclined on the chair.  The Rav approached him to wake him up because he thought that he was asleep, but he discovered, to his surprise, that the Jew had fainted!  He immediately poured water on him and treated him, until his “spirit returned.”

When the man came to, the Rav asked him why he had fainted; perhaps he wasn’t feeling well?  But the man answered that he had caused him to faint, when he told over in his Drosha about the bochur who was with the Chofetz Chaim.  The Rav wondered and asked; what connection did the story have to him?  Answered the man, that he himself was the bochur whom the Rav had told about.  

The Rav begged the man to tell him what the Chofetz Chaim had really said to him, and how he succeeded in influencing him.

The man replied: “When I entered near the Chofetz Chaim, he took my hand and grabbed it with warmth with both his hands; he looked into my eyes with a gaze of compassion and great love, and he began to cry and to say: ‘Oy Shabbos Kodesh!  Oy Shabbos!’ Such did the Chofetz Chaim cry throughout ten minutes.  In those moments, I trembled and I felt a stream of holiness that passed inside of my body.  I broke into a cry and I regretted from the depths of the heart about what I did, and I accepted upon myself complete Teshuva until this day.  Therefore, when you told the story, I was very moved, because I remembered the stirring occasion with the Chofetz Chaim, and therefore I fainted.”

(Ne’imos Netzach II, quoted in Peninei HaTorah)

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Gut and meaningful Shabbos to all!