© 2006 by Robert Lepor. All rights reserved.
With the Help of HaShem Yisbarach, we shall thoroughly explain that which have [previously] written, [as follows]:
First of all, regarding the claim of the [evil] inclination that one’s observance of Shmiras HaLashon will not last longer than one or two days, he should answer [the evil inclination]: “Were it as you say, should one become lax in observing [Shmiras HaLashon] because of this? If someone were to go to the seashore and see that the ocean had washed up valuable stones and pearls, would he allow himself to be lax in gathering [these valuables] because he would only have a few hours, or at most one day [allotted], for gathering? Obviously not! [The above is true] even [of] a very rich person, all the more so [is this true of] a poor [person]. For having to [having to spend this amount of time would only be a good reason to desist from gathering] something inferior and contemptible. [This is not so in the collection of] valuable stones and pearls; every single moment that he gathers them and grasps them in his hand is of greater value than spending one-hundred days gathering inferior objects! This is exactly the case in our matter. For it is known what the GR”A teaches (in his holy letter Alim L’Terufah – “Leaves for healing”) in the name of the Midrash: For every single moment that a person stifles his mouth, he merits the Hidden Light (which no angel or creature can fathom). Notice that the Midrash does not mention “month”, “year”, “day”, or “hour”, but “moment”. This is essentially the meaning of the pasuk [in Mishlei (2, 4)] “If you will seek it as [you would] silver…”[1]; a person must seek his eternal goal as he would seek out silver and search for a hidden treasure. This is what the Tanna meant by saying, “Do not distance yourself from [an unlimited amount]”: A person should consider everything that he can obtain from [an “unlimited amount”] as a merit and a boon, [regardless of the quantity].
[1] The p'sukim read, “4. If you will seek it as [you would] silver, and as buried treasures [you will] search for it. 5. Then you will understand fear of HaShem, and knowledge of G-d will you find. 6. For HaShem gives wisdom, from His mouth emanates knowledge and understanding.”
The Hebrew reading is as follows:
According to the MaLBI"M, “seek it as [you would] silver” implies a more modest attempt to acquire wisdom (one willing to exchange worldly desires for Torah wisdom), while the phrase “as buried treasure” implies a more rigorous effort that produces the hidden pearls of wisdom hidden in the depths of the Torah.
First of all, regarding the claim of the [evil] inclination that one’s observance of Shmiras HaLashon will not last longer than one or two days, he should answer [the evil inclination]: “Were it as you say, should one become lax in observing [Shmiras HaLashon] because of this? If someone were to go to the seashore and see that the ocean had washed up valuable stones and pearls, would he allow himself to be lax in gathering [these valuables] because he would only have a few hours, or at most one day [allotted], for gathering? Obviously not! [The above is true] even [of] a very rich person, all the more so [is this true of] a poor [person]. For having to [having to spend this amount of time would only be a good reason to desist from gathering] something inferior and contemptible. [This is not so in the collection of] valuable stones and pearls; every single moment that he gathers them and grasps them in his hand is of greater value than spending one-hundred days gathering inferior objects! This is exactly the case in our matter. For it is known what the GR”A teaches (in his holy letter Alim L’Terufah – “Leaves for healing”) in the name of the Midrash: For every single moment that a person stifles his mouth, he merits the Hidden Light (which no angel or creature can fathom). Notice that the Midrash does not mention “month”, “year”, “day”, or “hour”, but “moment”. This is essentially the meaning of the pasuk [in Mishlei (2, 4)] “If you will seek it as [you would] silver…”[1]; a person must seek his eternal goal as he would seek out silver and search for a hidden treasure. This is what the Tanna meant by saying, “Do not distance yourself from [an unlimited amount]”: A person should consider everything that he can obtain from [an “unlimited amount”] as a merit and a boon, [regardless of the quantity].
[1] The p'sukim read, “4. If you will seek it as [you would] silver, and as buried treasures [you will] search for it. 5. Then you will understand fear of HaShem, and knowledge of G-d will you find. 6. For HaShem gives wisdom, from His mouth emanates knowledge and understanding.”
The Hebrew reading is as follows:
("ד) אם-תבקשנה ככסף וכמטמונים תחפשנה: (ה) אז תבין יראת ה ודעת אלקים תמצא: (ו) כי-ה יתן חכמה מפיו דעת ותבונה:"
According to the MaLBI"M, “seek it as [you would] silver” implies a more modest attempt to acquire wisdom (one willing to exchange worldly desires for Torah wisdom), while the phrase “as buried treasure” implies a more rigorous effort that produces the hidden pearls of wisdom hidden in the depths of the Torah.
No comments:
Post a Comment