Archives: Shayas Stickles

Unity
[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman for always looking over the divrei torah.]

Two of the greatest sins Klal Yisroel committed in the desert were creating the Golden Calf and Korach’s dispute. When Moshe rebuked them in Parshas Devarim, he hinted at each sin by naming a place. ‘וחצרות’ refers to the dispute of Korach that is related in our Parsha. The next words ‘ודי זהב’ refer to the sin of the Golden Calf. We know that the sin of the Golden Calf occurred before the dispute of Korach, so why did Moshe switch around the chronological order of events?

I saw a novel answer in the name of Rav Yosef of Puzna:
Chazal say that even if Klal Yisroel worships idols, as long as we stand united, Hashem forgives us. R’ Yosef therefore suggests, that since Klal Yisroel was united before the dispute of Korach, Hashem forgave us for the sin of the Golden Calf. Hence, there was no need for Moshe to rebuke us for it. It was only after the dispute of Korach, which brought discord into Klal Yisroel, did we retroactively have to be punished for the Golden Calf. Therefore, Moshe initially rebuked the sin of Korach, and only afterwards the sin of the Golden Calf!

We see from the aforementioned Chazal how terrible machlokes is. Machlokes tears people apart, be it neighbors, friends, business partners, siblings, or spouses. It is a lose-lose situation, and the effects are horrific and long lasting.
However, the opposite, i.e. having peace, unity, and being Mevateir [giving in], are beautiful Midos to acquire, and are tremendously rewarding both in this world and in the world to come.

Here’s one story I heard from Rav Frand that illustrates this idea:
In Yeshivas Ponovez, there was a Chazan for the Yamim Noraim that was aging and could no longer be heard by the Tzibbur, unless they turned off the air conditioning in the sweltering Bnei Brak heat. The Tzibbur asked him to give up his position. He argued that it had been his position for more than thirty years and he had the right to this privilege. They went to Rav Shach, and both sides explained their reasonings. Rav Shach said, ‘you are both right’. And then he turned to the Chazan and said ‘I’m an old man, and I have NEVER seen in my life a person lose out by being mevateir.’ The Chazan got the message and gave up the position. Rav Frand said that he heard from reliable sources that that man had five children, each one struggling with a particular issue, and within that year all the problems were solved!

Let us all strengthen ourselves by learning from Korach’s mistake to distance ourselves from Machlokes, even when we think (and know!) we are right. Rav Chaim Shmulevitz explains that only Korach’s dispute with Moshe was one side 100 percent wrong and one side 100 percent right. But every other dispute in history after that will never be like that, i.e that both sides are partly to blame.

May we all do some soul searching to make sure we aren’t at odds with anyone else. And if there is anyone that we avoid or don’t talk to, let us gather the strength to make up. We will then G-d willing merit all the wonderful blessings that come when one is at peace with all.

Editor’s note:There was once a Yerushalmi Yid walking down a street on Shabbos when a car driven by a Jew passed by. Someone walking behind the Yerushalmi Yid heard him say something to himself as the car whizzed past. The curious person inched closer to the Yerushalmi Yid as another car approached and heard the Yid whisper two words… “Shabbos, Shabbos!”
Such a powerful story!
(This is a beautiful story that I heard a while ago. If someone knows the origin of the story, please email me at zichronshaya@gmail.com. Thanks!)

I thought of two lessons that we could learn from this story:
First is that so often, people get caught up in the heat of the moment and give rebuke/ protest loudly saying “you are wrong!” and “this is not how you are supposed to act!” They become so absorbed in the moment that they often lose sight of the bigger picture, failing to express their point to the other person involved in the argument. This Yerushalmi Yid, however, did nothing of this sort. He made a quiet protest that didn’t affect the person driving the car, and therefore didn’t create any machlokes.

Another lesson that I think could be learned from this story is that this Yerushalmi Yid felt it necessary to utter the words Shabbos every time a car past him. He felt it necessary EVERY time to remind himself of the fact that it is Shabbos. He didn’t just say to himself “Unfortunately that’s how things are…” How many times do we see someone desecrating Shabbos or any one of the other Mizvohs and let it slide? By letting it slide by, we are telling ourselves that this Aveirah is not so bad, which leads us to have a lower appreciation for what is holy. By reminding ourselves that Mitzvos are precious, we can avoid becoming desensitized and retain our values.
If you think of other lessons from this story, I would love to hear them.
Have a great Rosh Chodesh and Shabbos!}

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The Wisdom of Eretz Yisroel

[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman for always looking over the divrei torah.]

This week’s Parsha reports the episode in which the spies are sent to scout Eretz Yisroel to see if the Jewish People will be able to conquer the land. When the spies return, they relay a slanderous report about Eretz Yisroel. Moshe & Aharon fall on their faces, whereas Yehoshua and Kalev, whom the Pasuk emphasizes were among the aforementioned spies, tore their clothes.

The Imrei Shefer asks, that we already know that Yehoshua and Kalev were in the group that scouted Eretz Yisroel. Why does the Torah need to repeat that they went into Eretz Yisroel?

The Imrei Shefer offers the following interpretation: Moshe and Aharon falling on their faces was a form of prayer. They thought there was still hope to daven and nullify the decree. Whereas Yehoshua and Kalev tore their clothes-a form of mourning- because they knew that the decree was already sealed and that davening wouldn’t help anymore.
But that raises a question. Moshe and Aharon were greater than Yehoshua and Kalev, so how was it that Yehoshua and Kalev understood something that Moshe and Aharon did not yet understand?

Due to this question, the Pasuk reiterates that Yehoshua and Kalev had gone into Eretz Yisroel, which was something that Moshe and Aharon did not merit to do. Being in Eretz Yisroel enables a person to achieve greater heights in wisdom and holiness. As the Gemara in Kesubos says that one Yid who goes up from Bavel to learn in Eretz Yisroel is as great as two who remain in Bavel. [We also see this in our times, many of the Gedolei Hador live in Eretz Yisroel.] So that’s how Yehoshua and Kalev were able to understand something that even Moshe and Aharon didn’t yet understand!

Although we have many enemies who seek our demise, and especially of all those dwelling in Eretz Yisroel, let us strengthen ourselves to not fear learning and growing in Eretz Yisroel. Perhaps that will be [part of] our share in rectifying the sin of the Miraglim. May the day come soon when we will all be in Eretz Yisroel, appreciating the beauty of Torah in complete serenity, and basking in the light of the Divine Presence.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: LET YOUR SMILE CHANGE THE WORLD BUT DON’T LET THE WORLD CHANGE YOUR SMILE!]

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Individuality
[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman for always looking over the divrei torah.]

Parshas Beha’aloscha tells the story of the nation beginning to complain a lot in the Midbar. Hashem responds by giving Moshe the Seventy Elders to help lead Klal Yisrael.

Why was Klal Yisroel complaining, and what is the significance of the Seventy Elders to deal with their complaining?

Rav Yonah Sklare explains that they complained because they felt stifled and constrained in their covenant with Hashem. They felt the intensity of it was too much for them. Hence, Hashem gave them the Seventy Elders. Seventy is the number that symbolizes individuality. There are seventy diverse nations and languages. There are seventy approaches to Torah.

Hashem was telling them that the way out of feeling constrained is to find in Torah a specific path where you can express your individuality. He was telling them, ‘Choose a specific Rav from amongst the Seventy Elders that you would like to develop a close relationship with and emulate.’

The lesson is clear: we must keep the Halacha even if some of the Halachos are difficult, but the way out of feeling constrained is to express our individuality in our Torah life; be it through a special relationship with a specific Rav or mentor, a specific approach to Torah learning that speaks more to us, or a specific Mitzva that we would like to excel in.

[Editor’s note: Perhaps an additional lesson that can be learned is the concept of accepting Jews from other backgrounds. We must realize that just as among the Goyim there are seventy nations, so too in regards to the Jewish People, there are 12 tribes. Each tribe has its own way of serving Hashem. Each person has their own role in life in how to serve Hashem. If we come to this recognition, then that will bring Moshiach much closer and we will merit to greet Moshiach in our days.]

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

Overcoming Challenges
[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman for always looking over the Divrei Torah.]

Parshas Naso contains the laws regarding a Sotah- the woman suspected of adultery. It is interesting to note that a large discussion of the story about the exile and redemption from Egypt is included in Maseches Sotah. What is the connection between a Sotah and the exodus from Egypt?

I have heard quoted [I’m not sure what the source is], that the most painful rebuke that a person will experience after his/her lifetime, is when he/she is going to be shown what he/she could have accomplished in this world.

The Gemara tells us that the redemption from Egypt was in the merit of the special righteous women who were very courageous in Egypt.

Hence, I’d like to suggest that perhaps the story is mentioned in Maseches Sotah as a profound lesson for the Sotah woman and anyone else seeking to follow in her immoral ways. The Torah is saying, “Look what you could have accomplished! The redemption for the entire Jewish people came about because of people who rose above their challenges and temptations, and look how low you have sunk, or how low you will fall if you continue to follow in her ways!”

Throughout life, we all have various challenges and temptations that the Yetzer Hara throws our way. One tool that can be helpful in overcoming the drives and urges of the Yetzer Hara, is to ponder BEFOREHAND the terrible effect that the sins will have on us if we cave in, and the special level we can be elevated to if we muster the strength to rise above them.

May Hashem give us all the strength to be able to overcome all the many trials and tribulations that Hashem gifts us with, as we travel through the journey of life.

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

Shavuos 5779

[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to aaron Friedman for always looking over the divrei torah.]

The Seforim bring that the Shalosh Regalim correspond to the Shloshah Avos, and Chag HaShavuos corresponds to Yitzchak Avinu. What is the connection between Shavuos and Yitzchak Avinu?

We know that Yitzchak corresponds to Avodah [prayer]. Yitzchak specialized in a direct and real relationship with Hashem.

In fact, the Torah describes Yitzchak’s avodah as “Vayeitzei Yitzchak lasuach bisada” [And Yitzchak went out to ‘talk’ to Hashem in the field]. The root of the word lasuach, is ‘seecha,’ which refers to speech, or in other terms, ‘shmoozing.’ The Pasuk is teaching us that Yitzchak’s shmoozing was with HASHEM! He had such a real and direct relationship with Him that even his regular shmoozing was with Hashem.

The above explanation can also explain why Rivka fell off the camel when she saw Yitzchak in the field conversing with Hashem, as she was so in awe to see someone who had such an awesome and direct relationship with Hashem.

Perhaps this is one aspect of how Yitzchak corresponds to Shavuos. Matan Torah was the moment when there was the largest revelation in all of history of G-d to EVERY single one of us. G-d actually talked to the entire Jewish people! Perhaps in the essence of this day, there lies the power to strengthen and develop our connection to Hashem.

May we all work during this Yom Tov on strengthening that relationship via learning Torah, davening, and doing Mitzvos. May we continue to climb in growing closer and closer to the goal of the marriage-like relationship between us and Hashem!

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

Small steps lead to…

[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman for always looking over the divrei torah.]

Parshas Bamidbar begins with the Torah enumerating the number of men in Shevet Binyamin right next to the amount of men in Shevet Dan. As with everything in the Torah, this is significant, and has a profound lesson for all of us.

Dan only had one child, a son named Chushim, who was hard of hearing. Binyamin had ten healthy sons. An observer at the time might have said or thought to himself that not much will come of Dan’s Shevet. They will surely be very few, and certainly in comparison to Shevet Binyamin.

The Torah tells us that in actuality, it was just the contrary; through Binyamin’s ten sons, Binyamin’s descendants numbered 35,400 men, while Dan’s Shevet had almost double, a staggering 62,700! The lesson is clear; never give up on any child [and teenager or adult for that matter], as big things start small!

The above I heard in the name of the Chofetz Chaim.

‘Big things start small’ is an idea that can be applied not only in the physical world, but in the spiritual world as well. When one starts to improve oneself spiritually, even in small ways, if one is persistent and steady, it can morph into big changes.

Being that Rosh Chodesh has just passed, this is the opportune time to get off to a fresh start in working to improve ourselves, and into being better and more special people.

May we all work slowly but surely, on improving our relationship to Hashem and in keeping the Mitzvos, and may those small changes transform into large improvements; as we head toward the Yom Tov of Shavuos where we will relive the special covenant between us and Hashem.

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

Eternity

[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much. A special thank you to Aaron Friedman who has been looking over the divrei torah before it gets sent out!] [Editor’s note: This was the last Dvar Torah Shaya sent out before his petirah. In this dvar Torah, Shaya teaches us about Moshe’s Midda of Netzach-success for eternity. Shaya has in fact left all of us his own everlasting legacy that will remain with all of us forever. In the past, Parshas Behar has fallen out during the week in sefira corresponding to Netzach. Although the week of Netzach has already passed, I feel that this is a lesson which should be shared with all of you. Shaya has in fact left all of us his own legacy that will remain with all of us forever.]

The fourth week of Sefira corresponds to Moshe’s Midda of Netzach. It is therefore appropriate to understand what this Midda is, how it epitomizes Moshe, and the lesson we can learn from it.
Although Moshe wasn’t allowed to enter Eretz Yisroel, he davened to at least be allowed to look at Eretz Yisroel, and his request was granted. Why wasn’t Moshe allowed in to Eretz Yisroel, and what was the significance of Moshe’s LOOKING at Eretz Yisroel?

Moshe’s midda was Netzach [success for eternity]. Whatever actions Moshe performed continue to last for eternity. Moshe took us out of Egypt and we are still around today. [Which is a novelty for anyone who knows history concerning the rise and fall of so many nations.] Moshe gave us the Torah and we still have the Torah.

Hashem foresaw that Klal Yisroel would sin in Eretz Yisroel to the point where they would be deserving of death, which would ultimately lead Hashem to do one of two options: Either to G-d forbid actually destroy us, or allow us to atone for our sins by exiling us and having us struggle with different challenges and tests among the other nations. Hashem, out of his love and compassion for us, chose the latter. This, the Meforshim explain, was the reason that Hashem didn’t allow Moshe into Eretz Yisroel. Had Moshe been allowed to enter Eretz Yisroel, Moshe’s Midda and personality would have created the need for an eternal stay in Eretz Yisroel, and then the only other option for Hashem would have been to actually destroy us.

The Ner Uziel adds that perhaps this is the reason that Moshe asked and was granted permission to LOOK at Eretz Yisroel. It was to create Klal Yisroel’s longing and passion for Eretz Yisroel for eternity. [As it’s usually the EYE that sees that starts the process of longing and connection.] Thus, we see until this very day how all Yidden love and yearn to be in Eretz Yisroel!

We can now truly appreciate Rav Simlai’s Drasha at the end of the first Perek of Sotah. He asks, rhetorically, “why did Moshe long to go into Eretz Yisroel? Was it to eat from its fruit and enjoy its goodness?” He answers that Moshe said that “Klal Yisroel was commanded to keep many Mitzvos only in Eretz Yisroel; let me enter so there can be a fulfillment [KIYUM] of all of the mitzvos through me.”

Based on what we are saying, we can truly appreciate this statement; Moshe wasn’t merely davening that he wanted to keep all the Mitzvos, and without his entering Eretz Yisrael, there would be some mitzvos he could not fulfill. Moshe wanted there to be a KIYUM- an everlasting endurance- to the mitzvos via Klal Yisroel’s commitment to them, which he knew could only come about through his entering the land and fulfilling those Mitzvos. Unfortunately, we didn’t merit that, and thus, throughout history, we did not have an everlasting ability to keep those Mitzvos. May the day come soon when we will once again be able to keep every single one of those Mitzvos.

Based on this overview, I speculate that any exertion and toil to grow in Avodas Hashem in this week of Netzach has an extra special ability to have a more lasting effect on us for life.

May we all succeed in tapping into this rich potential for permanent growth, to reach and maintain great heights.

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

This Shabbos will be Shaya’s 5th yahrtzeit. If everyone can take a little time out of their day to do something in his memory, it would bring an aliyah to his Neshama. You can also share thoughts and memories of Shaya with his family. Please email 2714bartol@gmail.com. Thank you and may Shaya’s Neshama have an aliyah.

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

Musings of Shaya

Dearest Shaya,
I am not sure what you know up there right next to the Kisei Hakavod- right next to Hashem, so let me share with you a couple of things that have happened since you were niftar.
Your beautiful legacy that you have left us is still going strong. So many people have gained so much and are constantly inspired to change their ways because of all the beautiful inspiring divrei torah that you wrote every week.

Not everyone knows, however, of all the hours that you put in every single week to tweak the dvar torah to perfection, to ensure that no one would get insulted by your words. How you spent hours ensuring that the grammar was correct, and hours upon hours looking through different sefarim and listening to countless shiurim to find that perfect balanced Dvar Torah that no one on ‘either side of the fence’ (right/left wing) would be hurt by. Your Divrei Torah hit home no matter if the person reading it had a kippah seruga/ black hat/ streimel/ covered their hair or didn’t. Everyone was truly inspired.

Your legacy continues, as one of your chavrusas whom you learnt with for a number of years before you were niftar has finally finished his first tractate in Gemarah (Berachos) and has started another one. Someone to whom a thought of finishing an entire tractate may never have come to his head if not for you drilling in to him that drive and passion for Torah. That person was able to make a siyum on Tractate Berachos and start another one and it is all thanks to you for starting that drive and to the person that helped him accomplish this goal after you left us.

Your holy legacy continues as other chavrusas of yours who were indelibly inspired by your patience, warmth and smile continue to strive for greater and greater heights knowing that you, Shaya, are looking down from that high place in Shamayim and are flashing them that huge smile of yours and telling them “YOU CAN DO IT! JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE…!”

Shaya, your legacy continues as people all around the world do things for you for the Iluy of your sweet Neshama.

Shaya, so many people were touched by that warm smile of yours no matter how difficult the illness may have been at that time – that smile had to be on your lips!

That smile, I thought that I was the only one to get that one thousand watt smile whenever you saw me, and then I realized during your shivah that you gave that smile to every single person to whom you encountered and it was a genuine and authentic smile because you truly loved each and every person you met as if they were a close friend or relative. It made no difference who the person was, you always managed to find the good in that person and to praise that person.

What a privilege to have someone like you in our generation and family!

Shaya, there is another side of you that I as your little brother was privileged to see. It doesn’t mean that other people couldn’t have seen this side, it just means that it is another side which I recall quite fondly about you.

It is the big brother side of you.
I still recall vividly all of the stories that you would share from your Rebbi when you were in middle school. I must have been 5 or 6 years old. You had a fantastic ability with your amazing memory to recall every detail of the story and you made it so alive with your story telling! Ahh! Those were the days!

Shaya, it was you who the Shabbos before that big day when I would start high school came over to me and said “Hey Baruch Leib, would you like to learn together?” And then, you spent the rest of the afternoon teaching me that first Mishna so that I would be prepared when I would begin Yeshivah the next week.

Shaya, do you recall all the fun we used to have on Shabbbos afternoon, playing Tap Tap and all those fun games? You made it so much fun to play with! Who else was it but you who taught me how to play checkers which to this day I enjoy playing as a result of all your patience in teaching me! Oh, how you tried to teach me how to play chess, but to no avail.

Shaya, do you recall all the many hours you spent with me in the Schabes’s backyard teaching me how to play basketball and perfecting that swish to a Tee and how you always tried to raise the hoops higher and higher to challenge me further and further?

It wasn’t just me and it wasn’t only when it came to games that you pushed people to grow. It was in everything in life. You were and continue to be a role model in life for so many people. And you did it in such a sweet way. You didn’t say to people, “Look at me, look at what a challenging life I have! I am still able to smile and cheer people up, why can’t you?” You just went and acted as your friendly self and put on that huge thousand watt smile that we all love and miss, and subtly the people that were close to you were in awe in all that you accomplished in your short but very fruitful years, with all the pain and suffering you endured during your long sickness.

Shaya, as you sit next to the Kisei Hakovod and bask in Hashem’s presence; daven for all the suffering in this world to end. Daven for all those singles who are looking to get married, for all those people who don’t have children yet to merit to have children, for all those who are in need of a livelihood, health, and any other pain and suffering to merit their salvation.

I know that in the world that you are in now, there is no pain and suffering because everything makes sense up there, but we who reside in this world, in a world of falsehood where what appears to be good is really not and vice versa, we don’t understand all this pain and suffering. We are davening that the ultimate Geula will occur. Please tell Hashem that enough is enough and that it is time to bring the final redemption with the coming of Moshiach very soon!

Love,
Your youngest brother who misses you tons,
Baruch Leib

To be added to the weekly Dvar Torah list please email zichronshaya@gmail.com

Respecting Others

[Editor’s note: As a memory of my beloved brother Shaya, I would like to continue sending out his pearls of wisdom that he has shared with all of you in the past. For some of you this may ring a bell and for others it may appear to be totally new. May the learning of Shaya’s Divrei Torah inspire us to change our ways and thereby give an Aliya to the neshama of our dear beloved Shaya whom we miss so much.]

According to the opinion that the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died between Pesach and Shavuos had a brief respite on Lag Baomer, we can appreciate the relevance of a number of Torah thoughts regarding Lag Ba’omer.

The Gemara tells us that the students of Rabbi Akiva died because they didn’t show proper respect to one another.

Each week of Sefirah corresponds to a different Midah (attribute) epitomized by one of the Ushpizin. This week is the Midah of Hod, epitomized by Aharon. The specific Midah for Lag Baomer is ‘hod shebi’hod’, i.e. completely Aharon’s midah. We know that Aharon was the quintessential ‘Oheiv Shalom Vi’rodeif Shalom,’ the lover and pursuer of peace.

There is a custom to learn and work on one of the 48 ways to acquire Torah each day of Sefirah, and on the last day to review and incorporate all of them. The thirty-third kinyan-acquisition is Ahavas Habriyos-loving people. Additionally, my friend Zecharya Michelson pointed out that the thirty-third travel spot of Klal Yisroel in the Midbar was Hor Hahor, the place where Aharon was buried!

So perhaps the reason that none of the Talmidim died on Lag Baomer was because they were able to overcome their issue of not showing proper respect to each other by tapping into the midah of the day; the midah of loving and respecting people and pursuing peace like Aharon!

This week’s Parsha discusses the Halachos of the Kohanim. On the one hand, the Kohanim are all descendants of Aharon, the Ohev Shalom and Rodeif Shalom; yet simultaneously, the Kohanim [and all the Bnei Levi] are the ones who killed the sinners of the Golden Calf.

Is that a contradiction? Absolutely not. When it comes to wicked sinners and heretics, we have no tolerance and acceptance. However, when it comes to our fellow Jews who try to follow Hashem’s will, we must learn to appreciate each other for each person’s contributions to Klal Yisroel.

We are twelve Shvatim with twelve different personalities and approaches to Yiddishkeit. Each Shevet walked through the Yam Suf on its own path, but the water was transparent! The lesson is clear: we have different paths and approaches, but we must be able to ‘see’ and respect each other.

[Editor’s note: This idea of appreciating another Jew was something that Shaya lived by. There was no concept of ‘well, he doesn’t wear the same color hat or shirt as me.’ It was always about finding a connection with another Jew and trying to infuse that person with true warmth. Shaya’s family really only understood how much Shaya epitomized this by his Levaya and Shivah. There were a lot of people from all different backgrounds that came to his levaya and shivah and told the family how much Shaya connected to them. In the words of one of his neighbors, “Shaya was an ordinary person. He knew how to talk to someone on their level.” Shaya was able to relate to others because he breathed this principle of respecting other people no matter what kind of background they may have had. May we all try to work on ourselves to have the abilty to look beyond the externals and see the inner beauty of the Jewish People.]

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