Close To Torah

הנסתרות לה’ אלקינו והנגלות לנו ולבנינו עד עולם לעשות את כל דברי התורה הזאת (כט:כח).

“The hidden things are known only by Hashem; the revealed matters are for us and our children…” (29:28).

The Chassam Sofer interprets this verse in a homiletical fashion. He says that the Torah is teaching us how to act. First he states the concept and then he shows how the verse is expressing this. We are put on this physical earth and must learn to function properly here. Our mission is to become as close to Hashem as possible through Torah, Mitzvos and bringing out our potential. One may think that since this is the main goal, it would thus be appropriate to ignore the physical world around us and not interact with it or any people. This however is not the Torah way! Although one who limits physical pampering and excess pleasures is commendable, the Torah does not want one to neglect the physical in an extreme way. Rather, Hashem wants us to be balanced people. Our greatest leaders were known for just how practical and down-to-earth they were!

The Chassam Sofer writes that he knew of some supposed “pious individuals” who ignored their wives and children stating that they would not deal with such trivial matters! He bemoans such misguided and hurtful actions. The Torah’s message is clear and simple: Be normal.

He reads this verse to be stating this explicitly: “In your heart, connect to and pursue closeness to Hashem, but in your outward appearance, interact with the world and your children!”

There was a man who became obsessed with enunciating his every syllable in Shema. The other congregants were disturbed by his loud and distracting noises. They brought him to the Chazon Ish for help.

“What is the reason that you are reciting Shema in this fashion?”, asked the Chazon Ish respectfully.

The man replied by quoting the Gemara Berachos (15b) religiously, “He who enunciates the words of the Shema properly, in Heaven, they will cool down the fires of hell for him”.

The Chazzon Ish helped him get the message with his soft yet powerful response, “yes, I understand, but you don’t want to freeze!” The man rethought his actions and followed the sage’s advice!

No one knows the exact reason why the great Gadol Rabbi Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg wears so many pairs of Tzitzis. Many suggestions have been offered, but the matter remains unknown. A man as great as him certainly is entitled to take upon himself what he sees fit. When a student of his decided to follow suit and donned extra pairs of Tzitzis claiming that he desired to be like his Rosh HaYeshiva, the Rabbeim decided that Rabbi Scheinberg himself would be the best person to deal with him. Reb Scheinberg’s words were characteristically straight and to the point: “be normal”!

This is the way of the Torah. We are not asked to be radically antisocial and to avoid all interaction with people. We are told that while it is most noble to spend our time growing and thinking about Hashem, the healthiest and most productive way to carry out this mission is by means of normalcy!

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Parshas Nitzavim