Parshas Balak 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
הלא את אשר ישים ה' בפי אתו אשמר לדבר ... (כג-יב)
MASHAL: When R’ Isser Zalman Meltzer zt”l arrived in Yerushalayim, he visited R’ Zelig Reuven Bengis zt”l, the Raavad of the Eidah Chareidis, and told over an incredible story in front of all those present.
“When I first came to yeshivah, I was overtaken by the intensity of the learning. Seeing the other bochurim and their abilities, I also applied myself to learning. Since I possessed a very good head, I dedicated days and nights to the study of Torah and indeed felt satisfaction in my learning. I felt my life changing for the good. One day, though, I noticed that everyone was dressed with such dignified attire, while all I had was ragged, worn-out clothing. I was completely ‘out of style.’ Humiliated and ashamed, I decided that I could not return to the Beis Medrash. Sooner than later, I’d be the talk-of-the-town. Instead of standing up to the challenge, I decided to take the easy way out and just leave yeshivah.
However, as I was making my way out, a boy approached me and commented that the Rosh Yeshivah was very impressed with my learning. ‘It’s not easy to impress the Rosh Yeshivah,’ this boy said to me, ‘but after talking in learning with you, the Rosh Yeshivah has even recommended that other boys should come over and talk to you in learning.’ Hearing that changed my perspective. If the other boys admired me, despite my shabby appearance, then I realized that I had nothing to be ashamed about.”
With tears rolling down his face, R’ Isser Zalman turned to R’ Bengis and exclaimed, “You were the boy who delivered those impactful words to me!”
NIMSHAL: The power of words is very much the topic of Parshas Balak. For better or worse, words are very powerful. They can make or break an individual, an entire group of people or even an entire community. How careful must we be...