Parshiot Matot-Masei: Hope In Dark Times

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In Parshiot Matot-Masei, the Torah recounts the journeys, encampments, and slew of stops along the journey of the Jewish nation in the desert. An arduous trek just begins to define the expedition that was filled with innumerable trials and tests that inevitably helped strengthen and fortify Hashem's nation.

Rav Dovid of Lelov zt"l shared an incredible notion on this topic related by my revered father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlit”a. The Midrash conveys a parallel to B’nei Yisrael’s journey in the desert and our prolonged and lengthy exile. Just as every stop and destination in the desert was recorded in the Torah by Moshe for posterity and eternity, the same will transpire for us as we continue living in what is now a 2,000-year-plus exile. As such, each of our journeys will be documented.

Ponder what the Jews have been through; it is quite a lot. There have been many dispersions, expulsions, and exiles. When Moshiach arrives, Eliyahu HaNavi will record all our previous stops – the treacherous trials of our bitter exile and turn each episode into a very special sefer, a holy book.

Astoundingly, the Lelover explained that not only will our national exiles be logged, even the personal battles and tests that we managed to conquer will be entered for posterity!

We live in a world of temptation and indecency, yet it is filled with tremendous opportunity. One day, amazingly, a sefer will detail every person’s bout through exile highlighting the perseverance and ability to ward off moments of lure and challenges faced during our banishment. We will be victorious, remain holy, and succeed!

Before Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l immigrated to the United States of America, the saintly rabbi applied for a rabbinic position in Europe. Rav Yaakov hoped and sincerely believed that he would receive the position he sought. Within time, news spread that a yid of a markedly lower stature was chosen for the prestigious role. Rav Yaakov was downtrodden and dejected. Notwithstanding humility, the sage understood that he was a far superior candidate. But without a backup plan for support, Rav Yaakov feared being unable to provide bread for himself or his kin. Left without an option, the Kamenetskys departed for the American shores. Once here, Rav Yaakov rose to become the lofty Rosh HaYeshivah at Yeshivas Torah Vodaath standing as one of the Gedolei Hador, greatest rabbis of the generation.

Years later, Rav Yaakov related to his expansive family, “the ‘winning candidate,’ the man who was chosen for the job was tragically murdered by the Nazis along with that entire city. I davened so hard that I would get that job and was so disappointed when things failed to pan out. Now, however, it is all clear. Because, had I gotten accepted for that employment, none of you would be here today! Hashem spared my life!”

We never know Hashem’s plan! When one is struggling and life appears hazy and bleak, let it rest in the recesses of the mind that Hashem is present and did not stop bestowing love. The Almighty is always doing whatever is best for us!

By Aryeh Fingerer