Small in Stature; Great in Goals
Small in Stature; Great in Goals There were a few times in my life when I merited seeing the countenance of a holy tzaddik. The first was when I was a young man learning in Armentières in France. The gaon and tzaddik, Rabbi Avraham Yaffen, zt”l, son-in-law of the Alter of Novardok, came to pay […]
The Dignity of Talmidei Chachamim
“Before an old person shall you rise and you shall honor the presence of a sage and you shall fear your G-d – I am Hashem” (Vayikra 19:32) “The wise inherit honor and fools generate shame” (Mishlei 3:35) Honor befits the wise ones who are engrossed in Torah study. The Maharal (Netivot Olam, Torah 11) […]
Flying off the Handle
Flying off the Handle On a trip with my secretary from Paris to Israel, we stood in the security check line at the airport. The line was long and so was the one next to us. Suddenly, a new line opened up. The clerk summoned us to follow him to the newly-opened line with our […]
Enough for Everyone
Enough for Everyone I once came to deliver an inspirational message to the members of a congregation. Before I entered the Beit Hakeneset, the Rav approached me with this reproach, “I have to tell you something which may not sit well with you. Last year, you delivered a speech, in the merit of which women […]
Taking the Time to Save a Life
Taking the Time to Save a Life One time, as soon as I finished my Torah shiur, I hurried to leave the Beit Hamidrash, as I had an engagement somewhere else. On my way out, I noticed that a man was making his way toward me, intent on reaching me before I reached the door. […]
Escorting a Jew to Observance
Escorting a Jew to Observance I was once walking home an unaffiliated Jew from the yeshiva. Someone I knew met us on our way and was taken aback. “How does the Rav see fit to walk this person home? He does not observe Shabbat. It is a disgrace for the Rav to be seen with […]
Approved Reproof
Approved Reproof Once, as I was delivering a shiur, a man suddenly burst into the Beit Hamidrash and began to publicly denounce me. The congregants were up in arms in an attempt to defend my honor. Pandemonium filled the place as shouts and argument filled the air. The man would not calm down. The matter […]
Calling for Commiseration
Calling for Commiseration My private number, known to a select few, once rang. An unfamiliar woman was on the line. As soon as I picked up, she burst forth in a torrent of tears over her bitter lot. Her sighs traveled through the wires. Regrettably, instead of empathizing with this poor woman, I demanded to […]
Knowing One’s Place
Knowing One’s Place One Shabbat, as I looked around the Beit Hakeneset before the onset of the tefillah, I noticed that all the seats were taken. If another man would show up, he would be forced to remain standing throughout the entire tefillah, unless a good-hearted fellow Jew would offer him his seat. As I […]
Preserving Another’s Pride
Preserving Another’s Pride An amazing story about my grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, taught me just how careful one must be to preserve his fellow Jew’s honor. My disciple, R’ Pinchas Avitan, related that during one of the pregnancies of his grandmother, may she rest in peace, she craved a fried tongue. Her family was […]
Human Dignity
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai said, “Hakadosh Baruch Hu has mercy on His creatures. If someone stole an ox, which walks on its own, he must repay five coins, whereas if someone stole a sheep, which must be carried, he must repay only four coins, since he suffered embarrassment through carrying it (Mechilta, Mishpatim, Parashah 12). […]
Torah – The True Goal
Torah – The True Goal In 1998, when the world-wide soccer games were at their peak, the streets of France were completely empty. The entire nation was glued to their televisions, rooting for France’s victory. I was also interested in hearing the outcome of the games. This was not because I was any fan of […]
