Defending Our Brand
vs. testing the limits of Skepticism
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This week’s parsha of Emor begins; “Speak to the Kohanim, the sons of Aaron, and say to them”. Rashi explains (from a Gemara) that the words (“Emor “v’amarta”), “speak” and “say” means to caution the elders regarding the youngsters (“lehazhir hagedolim al hakatanim”).
The Rebbe explains that this pasuk constitutes a primary source for the concept of education. It also also offers an insight into the nature of education. The word used by Rashi (quoted from the Gemara),lehazhir, refers to the responsibility of the Kohanim to educate their children as their obligation “to caution” them. The word lehazhir also means “to make shine.” This implies that rather than being content with setting a basic educational standard for our youth or training them in the rudimentary observance of the commandments, we should teach them to perform the commandments optimally, even beyond the letter of the law, so that they, both the commandments and the children, shine.
This lesson is emphasized by the fact that the Torah teaches it to us through its instruction to the Kohanim. Their task is to help others rise spiritually and become close to Hashem (through the service in the Beis HaMikdash); so too, we should strive to educate our youth not to merely be well versed in the Torah in observing its commandments but through this study and reflection draw close to Hashem.
The Rebbe spoke many times that every person should have a Rav (“Aseh lecha Rav”) whom he or she consults with on a regular basis for guidance in all areas of life. Although we have spoken about this in the past, with people relying on answering questions though apps texting and emails it behooves us today more than ever to address this topic especially in light of recent events. When we turn to electronics for answers instead of Rabbonim we not only loose out on the necessary human interaction, the human touch, which is essential, we sometimes unwittingly go against Halacha. Take for example a recent app for taking pictures and sending them for questions regarding ritual purity and menstration. For reasons involving lighting etc., pictures are not allowable; therefore using this this app is clearly against Halacha.
We can read or watch a fabrengen of the Rebbe for 15 or 20 minutes or we can also speak to someone who was there. By hearing about it from someone who was there we learn about the fabrengen in a much more tangible way. We get a broader sense for the context, the intention, the purpose and the direction of that fabrengen. This we cannot get all of this just by watching it for 15 or 20 minutes. Without a living connection we lack the fullness of the experience and a complete understanding of what was intended. This is “lehazhir hagedolim al hakatanim”, this is how we both educate and inspire; when the elders share their knowledge and experience to the younger generation we create an unbreakable chain. When the youth receive properly and they go on to fulfill their purpose optimally.
Unfortunately as of late this standard has been challenged and has been harmed. While it’s good thing to bust a myth, to clarify truth from fiction, that pursuit can also be hijacked for a less than noble purpose. Some seek to “squeak by” in their observance of Halacha and prefer to challenge inconsistencies of Rabbonim or demand to be shown the source instead of seeking to be a participant and striving to be a Chosid. It’s fair to ask a question, we all need to get to the truth, but sometimes it can go too far and then the question defeats its purpose. Sometimes it’s pushback, an attempt to avoid having to accept the ways of the Rebbe and the minhagim of Chassidim. We live in open society and we see other approaches in other communities. Some ask why they too can’t have the leniencies they see others enjoy. Whether it’s the height of a mechitza, the positioning of a bima, if they can use an eruv on Shabbos or if they can meet with representatives of other religions. The job of the elders is lehazhir, to caution and to illuminate our lives in the ways of the Rebbe Chassidus and Shulchan Aruch.
Our purpose is best served when we seek the guidance of our elders our Rabbonim, Emor v’amartah. Those who were there and those who are knowledgeable know that the Rebbe was against meeting with representatives of other religions. He discouraged inter-religious dialogue. There are letters and fabrengens that say that these kind of things fall into the category of; “Al tifnu el elilim, Do not turn it towards false entities”.
The job of a Lubavitcher Chosid is to spread authentic Judaism in addition to spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus. On this the Rebbe was very clear saying that we see to it that everything that we do follows Shulchan Aruch and mesorah. Nowadays if the Rabbonim say that something is not appropriate (es past nisht) we get pushback. While it is true that every stringency needs a basis in Halacha at the same time we need take the advice and guidance of our Rabbonim. There have been differences of opinion amongst the Rabbis since time immemorial. No one has ever used that as a reason or as a free ticket not to listen. It’s great to dispel a myth. We need to be careful however not to loose the most important part, to truly desire to receive the answers needed to follow in the ways of the Rebbe and Chassidus optimally.
There is a letter of the Rebbe written to HaRav Yaakov Landau OBM where the Rebbe asks him to explain exactly how the Rebbe Rashab blew the shofar (the shevarim) on Rosh Hashana. The Rebbe already knew everything that is written on the subject; nonetheless he sought the mesora. There is nothing so valuable and important.
May we all merit to appreciate and desire the opportunity to know and to live in the ways of the Rebbe and our minhagim by seeking out and following the guidance and advice of our elders, the Rabbonim, “lehazhir hagedolim al hakatanim” and together as one go and greet Moshiach.
A Good Shabbos