Weekly Reflections with Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Following the Ten Commandments of last week's portion, the Torah proceeds to introduce the mitzvos. "These are the laws that you shall place before them." In many cases the laws are clear. We simply study the laws and do our best to observe them. But in the course of time, unusual cases do arise. Real life isn't always a text book case. Perhaps, for example, damages were inflicted, but it is hard to ascertain the degree of liability. The Torah tells us: Go to the court, and do as they rule. What is amazing is that the Hebrew word for a Jewish court is "Elohim" the same word which is used to refer to G-d. Why would the Torah use a word sounding like G-d's name when referring to the court? When we consider Jewish law, there are two ways to understand the concept of a ruling. One approach is that G-d understood that in real life we would encounter cases that aren't easily resolved. He could have chosen any arbitrary method, such as flip a coin, to resolve the issue. The approach that G-d did choose is "Go to a court and do as they say". There is however a different way to understand a Jewish court. The power awarded to a court isn't something arbitrary. The scholars who sit on the court must be infused with the word of G-d. They must delve in Torah with such dedication that they begin to think in the ways of Torah. Just as two people raised in a similar environment will often see things the same way, so one who is imbued with G-d's word begins to see the world as G-d does. Such a person is authorized to apply Torah law to real life situations. There is a beautiful story about Rabbi Aaron Kotler who once called the yeshiva of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and asked to speak to Reb Moshe. The man who answered the phone explained that his Rebbe wasn't in. Sensing the reverence in the man's voice, Rabbi Kotler asked, "To whom am I speaking." The man responded, "Nissan Alpert." Rabbi Kotler recognized the name of Rabbi Feinstein's devoted disciple and said, "Oh. Let me discuss the matter with you. Tell me what your Rebbe would say." Rabbi Alpert had so devotedly absorbed his Rebbe's teachings, that Rabbi Kotler was prepared to accept him as Reb Moshe's spokesperson. Similarly, when Hashem authorizes a Jewish court to issue a ruling, it is not just a way to arbitrarily regulate Judaism. Posing a question to a truly accomplished scholar is like posing the question to G-d Himself. No wonder the word for such a court is "Elohim" a word that so closely resembles the name of G-d. G-d is saying, "Ask them the question and it shall be as if you asked it to Me." In each generation the Jewish people have special people whom they look for guidance. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was such a person. His devotion to Torah was so monumental that his rulings were, and continue to be, revered in the Jewish world. A couple once came to Reb Moshe and asked him for a blessing that they should have a child. Reb Moshe spent some time with them, and then blessed them fervently. The years went by and they did not have a child. Year after year they would come to Reb Moshe on Purim to request his blessing. One year, the woman decided to be a little bit more bold. Instead of merely asking for a blessing, she asked Reb Moshe to "decree" that she be blessed with a child. At first Reb Moshe was astounded by the request, but the woman insisted that as a Torah sage his decree would be like a spokesperson for Heaven. Reb Moshe smiled and said, "I don't know if I can decree that you should have a child. But in the merit of your belief in Torah sages, you deserve a child." When we have a question in life we cannot expect G-d to grant prophecy to resolve the question. "Go ask Elohim" G-d says, referring to Torah sages. They embody the words of Torah and are meant to be My spokespeople. Incidentally, the woman of the story was uplifted, but not fully satisfied. She asked, "When will I have the child?" Reb Moshe smiled and proceeded to count the months on his fingers, "1 is Nissan, 2 is Iyar, 3 is Sivan...9 is Kisleiv". He then declared, "Chanukah time." And so it was. With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos, Rabbi Mordechai Rhine QUESTION OF THE WEEK: This week's Parsha follows the Parsha which contained the Ten Commandments. Why does the Torah begin the mitzvos of the Parsha with the unique laws pertaining to a Jewish slave?
To see more articles from this author go to www.teach613.org |