Parshat Ki Tisa: United We Stand

By Aryeh Fingerer

 When recounting the sin of the golden calf, the Torah relates, “Vayikach miyadam vayatzar oto bacheret.” (35:22). Aharon HaKohen took all the gold and wrapped it in a cloth. Why was Aharon concerned about their being leftover gold? It is explained that Aharon wanted to ensure that there wouldn’t be a solitary remnant of gold leaving none to be surface anywhere. How come? What was the worry? My father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlit”a relates in the name of the Metzias Yitzchak the incredible notion that Aharon hid all excess gold to guarantee that nobody would find even one gilded piece to craft a personal golden calf. A single golden calf was desired because a sin is awful, but lack of unity is much more critical. A unified and united nation can reach past their failings with a merit protecting and shielding them. However, those who transgress are splintered and unable to be salvaged.

The underlying lesson is extraordinary. Oftentimes one may point a finger and pass judgment in err. Realize that the power of unity saves and protects. One should make a special effort to constantly be fused with family members, and in tandem with neighbors and the community at large. In unity we stand tall, but in division we crumble!

The Yalkut Shimoni brings down a parable of a frail, elderly man who assembled his sons while on his deathbed. The siblings noticed their ailing father clutching a bundle of reeds. "Sons, look at this bundle,” proclaimed the dad. “I want one of you to try to snap this bunch." Each son tried their might to break the wad, but no matter how hard they whacked, it would not give way. The feeble, aged father inquired, "Can’t you separate the reeds?" The sons incredulously looked at their patriarch saying, "What do you mean? Can you break it?" The father countered, "Sure, I can." Staring at their father in amazement, and he grasped the bundle, separated it, pulled out a single stalk, and cracked it in two. One by one, he split all sixty reeds that had been gathered. "See, I just destroyed the bundle."

In a final life lesson to his kids, the father explained how the bundle represented the brothers acting in unison, unbreakable and impervious to destruction or harm from others. As such, there is opportunity for sorrow or pain. However, when acting alone as individuals, then you are just one reed susceptible to harm and damage from anybody.

In our current extremely challenging times, it is incumbent on one another to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters with adoration, and achdut, unity! Live a life of harmony and stay bonded because if when divided we eventuallu fall.

 

Parshat Vayak’hel: Who's Great?

Parshat Vayak’hel (35:22) discusses the kind-hearted and generous men and women who donated various types of gold and material for the building of the Mishkan, Tabernacle, stating, “Vayavo'u ha'anashim al hanashim,” meaning the men ascended to the women. Seemingly, the pasuk should have said, “Vayavo'u ha'anashim im hanashim,” the men and women came together to make their donation. Why is strange verbiage used? My father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita noted an amazing thought from the Chiddushei HaRim expressing that “Vayavo'u ha'anashim al hanashim,” refers to the men being superior, rising on top, and superseding the women. Why was this necessary and in what way did the men surpass the women?

The Ger Rebbe explained that previously these men had sinned by providing gold for the golden calf. However, now they were doing teshuvah by giving it over to Hashem. The action of repentance allowed the men to ascend as they were on a higher level than the women who never lapsed. This demonstrates a beauty in tumbling. A person who never sinned, or fell, is not as holy as one who collapsed and got back up. Somebody who tasted wrongdoing yet has the fortitude and resilience to forge ahead and become even stronger, greater, and holier is very special. Where a ba’al teshuvah stands not even a tzadik can stand. No matter what may have transpired, the power of teshuvah affords a chance for spiritual growth.

The story is told of a man from a religious family in Bnei Brak who heartbreakingly left the Jewish path. As his Judaism deteriorated, the man planned to wed a non-Jew and opted for Shabbat to break this news to his parents but first openly violated the sacred day. In the afternoon, the groom’s father announced that he was headed out to a class by Rav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman ztk”l and asked his son to join. Surprisingly, the young man consented. Afterwards, the father took his son to the revered rabbi and mentioned his decline in Shabbat observance. Rav Shteinman inquired of the man the timeframe of this sad turn of events to which a reply of two years was given. The rav questioned if thoughts of teshuvah ever surfaced. The gentleman offered four times that he had pondered the concept, spending ten minutes each time dwelling on the idea. Rav Aharon Leib concluded with some simple math. “For a sum of about 40 minutes over the last two years you were in the place where ba’alei teshuvah stood. This is the place where the biggest tzadikim are unable to stand! I envy you for that opportunity!” After Shabbat, the man chose to break his engagement, and today, baruch Hashem is a Torah-observant Yid!

Later, the groom was asked why he wished to attend the lecture; after all, hadn’t he spent the whole day desecrating Shabbos! He explained that as a boy in yeshivah, his class visited Rav Shteinman for a test. At the time, the sage asked very simple questions of the talmidim and distributed candy to each that delivered a response. Yet, one child had no reply for the gadol’s query – and that was himself. Rav Aharon Leib persisted with an even easier question; again, he remained silent, unable to provide a response. Realizing his learning troubles, the rav went for an even easier question that again drew a blank stare. As his classmates departed the tzadik’s, Rav Shteinman told the boy that reward is given according to how hard we try, not based on the results. His classmates tried hard to respond to one question, receiving a single sweet for their efforts. But, you pushed yourself on three occasions, so your reward is three candies." With a brimming smile that showcased his deep greatness, the rabbi handed the young student three goodies. From this memory, the man chose to join the shiur that was the precipice for changing his impulsive lifestyle becoming a full-fledged ba’al teshuvah!

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