Parshas Teruma
By: Rabbi Price
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this Shiur In memory of my Granfather-Dovid ben Mayer Shmuel-Yahrzeit-6 Adar
Parshas Teruma
The posuk says ,”Cover the
Rabbi Pliskin in “Growth Through Torah,” brings the Gemoro Yoma 72b that says that here we see symbolized that a Torah scholar must be pure inside as well as outside to be considered a Talmid Chochom. That is, just as the
There have been many intellectuals throughout the ages who have espoused profound philosophical ideas. They have expressed the most elevated thoughts of universal love for humanity. But in their own private lives they have been arrogant and cared only for their ideas but not with the people with whom they actually had to deal on a daily basis. This is not the Torah concept of a Talmid Chochom. To be considered a true Torah scholar and not merely someone who carries a lot of book knowledge with him, one must practice the lofty ideals that he speaks about. This has held true for all our revered Torah scholars both in ancient and modern times.
[Till here is from Rabbi Pliskin]
Just to give you some examples we find that the famous Philosopher, Aristotle was once found by his students doing an immoral act. When he was asked how such a great man can do such a lowly act, he replied, "Now I'm not Aristotle." In other words, when I'm lecturing in the University standing at the pulpit wearing my frock, then I'm Aristotle the Philosopher. But after I finish my lecture, step down, hang up my frock, and go outside into the desires of the world, then I'm a normal human being with animalistic desires just like anybody else. My teachings don't have to affect my way of life.
Rabbi Leff in his Sefer on Chumash brings a story about a Professor of Ethics in
Torah is not like that. Torah is not just a garment that you take off when you leave the Beis Hamedrash. It is rather something that is that is supposed to be incorporated into one's self, to refine his Midos - Characteristic Traits. It teaches him how to interact with others in the wide world, how to control his animalistic desires, and learn to be satisfied, not jealous of others.
The Lev Eliyahu (by Rav Eliyahu Lopian, zt"l, vol 4, pg. 351) discusses the concept of Ben-Torah. He questions how come when one learns Math he doesn’t become a "Ben-math"? He explains that Torah changes and refines a person's Midos, thus transforming him into a different person. It is as if the Torah gave birth to him, hence the name Ben-Torah (son of Torah). Other subjects have no such effect on the one who studies them.
I read an article in the Reader's Digest 1990, titled "Rajan's Monster Memory". It is a story about a guy from
In sharp contrast, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin ("Love Your Neighbor" p. 256) brings a story of a Rabbi Eliyahu Kletzkin, who also had a phenomenal memory. He used his memory "to assist others by memorizing the schedules of trains and ships all over the world. This way he could aid people who planned trips."
This underscores the point we made before as to the difference between Torah and Wisdom. The person without Torah used his talent only for his own glory. He couldn't see any gain-that is honor- in memorizing schedules. The idea of helping others didn't dawn upon him. Rav Kletzkin on the other hand only thought about using his gift to help others, even though he wouldn't be making trips or getting glory for himself."
I also pointed out in my "Letter to an Alumnus,”
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"You also must realize that whatever you do, you always are a Ben Torah first. This has to show in the way you act and deal with people. Some think that a person is a Ben Torah only when learning in Kollel, not outside. My Rebbi, on the other hand, always taught us that there is a Ben Torah who learns and a Ben Torah who works. As Rabbi Leff said whatever you are, you have to be a Talmid chochom who is a doctor not the other way around. The difference is seen whenever there is a conflict between the Torah and the job, which takes priority?!
When Yaccov Avinu gave a blessing he said, "Hashem should make you like Ephraim and Menasheh". Why did Yaccov mention Ephraim before Menasheh if Menasheh was the older brother? The answer is that Ephraim represented the Torah, since he had studied with Yaccov Avinu. Menasheh on the other hand was the statesman, Yosef's right-hand man. The lesson for us is that we should be B'nei Torah first." [Rav Zeidel Epstien, ztl. in Haoros on Parshas VaYechi p.175]
Rabbi Pliskin ends off his point, “Whenever you speak about lofty thoughts, ask yourself whether you really experience them. In your own behavior do you actually follow the principles you speak about? If not, do not stop speaking about those ideals, but elevate your behavior.”
A lot of times we hear a story about a person who is on a high level and we can’t relate to such a story because it is way over our heads. We feel that we would never be able to emulate the hero in the story. Even so, Rabbi Pliskin quotes his teacher who taught him, “Always aim for the stars, even if you don’t catch any, at least you won’t get your hands stuck in the mud.” We can definitely learn from the story to be better than we are presently even if we won’t reach the pinnacle that the hero reached. Just knowing that this level exists makes us proud that we are part of such a great nation, and gives us the incentive to be somewhat like these great people.
May we be zocheh-merit to speak about lofty ideals and reach them even if not the heights but at least to scratch the surface.
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