Women-Power – Parshas Vayeilech 5769
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Loading ...הקהל את העם האנשים והנשים והטף… למען ישמעו ולמען ילמדו ויראו את ה’ אלקיכם ושמרו לעשות את כל דברי התורה הזאת (לא:יב).
“Gather the Nation, the men, women and children… so that they will hear and learn and respect… and properly fulfill the Torah” (31:12).
Every seven years a grand gathering of all the Jews was held. The king read portions of the Torah to the assemblage and many words of truth and inspiration were taught. But why was it so important to have everyone there? Rashi tells us that the end of this verse describes why each person had to be present. The men came to learn Torah and the women to hear. What is the difference between these two goals?
The answer is that there are two elements of Judaism that we develop in ourselves and pass on to our children. One is the truth and validity of the Torah on an intellectual level. The second is our passionate feelings and emotions towards serving Hashem with excitement and zest. Both are necessary in developing as a proper Jew.
The father represents the intellectual element; the mother the emotional. Certainly both elements are vital and are possessed by both genders. However, generally, each gender specializes in one. Thus, the father who is the intellectual aspect of Torah understanding comes to recharge his Torah learning. The mother, who teaches a love for Torah and Mitzvos, comes to hear words of Yiras Shamayim in order to instill and awaken her ever important emotional side! These are the dual roles here.
Why were the children required to be brought? Firstly, as stated explicitly in Chazal, it was to give reward to the parents for bringing them. Secondly, so that they too would have exposure to this great and amazing experience.
We now understand why everyone was there, but one question remains. Why are the objectives expressed backwards in the verse? The verse begins listing off the participants, stating, “men and women,” but in the following words which states the objectives, “to hear and learn” it places hearing, the woman’s specialty, before learning, the men’s domain? Why the change?
Here we have discovered a beautiful and fundamental truth. The women have the most important role in getting this job done! True, the learning of Torah is the most important Mitzvah which is more valuable than anything else, but the passion, dedication and encouragement of the women is the only way that it will get done!
When the Torah was originally offered to the Jews after they left Egypt, it is interesting to note the order of its presentation. Shemos (19:3) “Ask the daughters of Yaakov and the men of Israel (if they will accept the Torah).” Why are the women mentioned first?! Because it is up to them! Just as in Egypt, the continuation of the Jewish Nation was lead solely by the righteous women, so too here, if Torah was to be instilled into the hearts and souls of the Jews this would only be accomplished through the women’s undertaking and dedication.
The Chazon Ish was once asked to decide which school should take precedence. There were only enough funds to open up one Jewish school, either for the boys or for the girls. Which one should receive the available monetary endorsement? His response was immediate and clear. Open up a Bais Yaakov, because without those girls no Talmidey Chachomim will be found! Every boy will fear to persist in the Bais Medrash knowing that if he remains there he will never find a young lady willing to marry him. Thus, the Chazon Ish, with great Torah insight, assured that Torah would continue. The lesson which this story illustrates is truly deep. The men are indebted to the women for their encouragement and their zeal to ensure that they live up to a high Torah standard!
Chazal say that a wife gets rewarded for all of her husband’s learning. This is very fair and understood! She caused him to learn and succeed. Indeed one of the greatest of our sages said it so eloquently. Rebbe Akiva stated, “all of my Torah accomplishments and thus those of my students as well belong to the credit of my wife! He meant it. This is a glimpse into the greatness and importance of our Nation’s leaders and builders, the women!
