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 were inspired to keep taharat hamishpachah, and men began keeping Shabbat and laying tefillin. For this, you deserve our thanks. But please change your style now and focus more on the parashat hashevuah and less on matters of personal ethics.”
I was stunned, but promised to do as he asked. He added that this time, I had a different seat reserved for me, not next to him as in the past. I did not respond.
As I tried to make my way in, I was frisked rigorously and vigorously. I was ordered to empty my pockets and even remove my shoes. In spite of the people’s protests that I was a prominent Rabbi, I was roundly humiliated by the security officers. I had a distinct feeling that they were merely following the orders of someone in the upper echelons of this community.
When I was finally allowed entry, I found that the seat saved for me was at the very back of the room. Everyone, including the president of the Beit Hakeneset, was shocked to discover this. Hashem is my witness that I never seek honor or acclaim. I immediately understood that the hand of the rabbi was behind all this. He was simply afraid that I would undermine his position. This thought was completely baseless. I live in a faraway country and come here only once a year. But his suspicion of me caused him to keep me in my place by humiliating me in this way.
When I reached the pulpit, I delivered piercing words, which penetrated the hearts of the listeners. The entire time I spoke, approximately one and a half hours, I never looked at the rabbi. But I ensured that my message entered his heart, as well.
How painful it is to see that wonderful people from our own camp embrace the attitude of Bilaam. Instead of seeking ways of increasing Hashem’s glory, they obscure their vision, becoming inferior even to a donkey. In their narrow-mindedness, they cannot see beyond their personal interest. They act only in ways which will enhance their own self-esteem.
Hashem has granted every person his place in the world. No one touches that which belongs to his friend (Yoma 38b). Just as a Rav has his place, apart from his disciple, so does each and every person have his portion, allocated to him by Hashem. It is never necessary to reduce another’s position in order to preserve one’s own.
