“This is what Hashem spoke about, when He said, ‘I’ll be sanctified through those nearest to Me…’” (Vayikra 10:3)
Rashi asks, “When did Hashem say this?” Ramban answers that Hashem never said those exact words. However, these “words of Hashem,” are obvious from His actions. When Hashem does something, it’s to make a statement to us.
Rav Schwab comments: “We say after Krias Shema in Shacharis, ‘Praiseworthy is the man that’ll listen to Your mitzvos, and Your Torah and Your words, he’ll place on his heart.’”
We know about mitzvos and Torah, but what are “Your words” referring to?
Rav Schwab says that when Hashem deals with someone in a certain way, He’s sending him a message, and when he gets that message and understands what Hashem’s telling him, that’s called “placing Hashem’s words on your heart.” (Rav Yisroel Reisman, Shiurim al Chumash)
“IT’S
MAMASH because of lashon hara!”
“No, I heard everyone needs to say perek lamenatzeiach six times a day.”
Circa 1991, in my seminary dorm under the shadow of Saddam Husein’s threat of chemical warfare. Take any group of teenage girls, give them a “situation,” and they’ll find you dozens of reasons for the hardship and dozens of solutions. We used to call this Insomnia Inspiration. Late night DMCs evoke deep spiritual convictions that seem to make perfect sense even the next morning. A generation later, I wonder how many of these “mamash, I heard it myself!” solutions have become minhag by now. And the trend ain’t over.
Rav Schwab’s son tells a story of his father. In his old age, Rav Schwab was confined to a wheelchair and relied on an aide. One day, the aide was late, and Rav Schwab arrived late to shul. He was very bothered, as it was his strict practice to always be early. Rav Schwab commented that this happened because when he got married, the day after sheva brochos ended, he was late for shul.
People think they hear Hashem’s message to them, but often they fool themselves as to what the message actually is. I once had an incredible conversation with a good person. He had a job interview scheduled for nine that morning. He was debating whether to shave his beard for this interview. At seven, he decided to shave his beard. At eight thirthy, he got a call saying that the position was already filled.
“But,” said this man, “I saw Hashem was talking to me! He wanted me to shave my beard, and that’s why He set up the interview. Once I shaved it, the interview wasn’t necessary.”
I was shocked! Mouth hanging open! This was the message he was taking? But people fool themselves like this all the time. So how do we get the real message?
“You need to kiss the mezuzah seven times every night, then missiles won’t fall on your house.”
“You have to shuckel very hard when saying v’lamalshinim, and then Hashem will kill Hamas.”
