Parshas Emor 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- May 14
- 2 min read
אלה מועדי ה' מקראי קדש אשר תקראו אתם במועדם ... (כג-ד)
MASHAL: The Maggid of Yerushalayim, R’ Sholom Schwadron zt”l, would use humor and charisma in his drashos to help bring out mussar points and to influence his listeners. Once, during his weekly Friday night drasha in the Zichron Moshe shtieblach, a person got up and announced, “This is leitzanus, (light-headedness). It is improper to speak this way.”
R’ Sholom took the rebuke to heart. He feared that perhaps this man was right, and he feared continuing to give his speeches in his normal manner. He decided to go to the Chazon Ish zt”l for advice and guidance.
The Chazon Ish asked for a demonstrational speech so that he could better decide whether R’ Sholom should continue in his humorous fashion or not. Since R’ Sholom wanted the Chazon Ish to experience his drashos, he began to speak as if he were speaking before a large audience.
The performance found favor in the Chazon Ish’s eyes, who laughed and confirmed he should continue speaking in this way. The Chazon Ish explained: “In Lithuania, there was a lot of Yiras Shamayim, but the joy was by the maskilim, and that is why so many youths fell away. By spreading Yiras Shamayim in this fashion, you are preventing this downfall.”
R’ Sholom took the Chazon Ish’s words to heart, and from then on continued spreading his moving words, ultimately influencing Klal Yisroel in an impactive way.
NIMSHAL: Parshas Emor teaches all about avodas Hashem; service of kohanim, mitzvos, yamim tovim, etc. When a person performs his avodas Hashem with simcha, joy, he not only strengthens his own Yiras Shamayim, but can have a great impact on others as well. This is the ultimate way to serve his Creator.