Parshas Matos-Maasei 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 16
האחיכם יבאו למלחמה ואתם תשבו פה ... (לב-ו)
MASHAL: It was a Friday night, and a special gathering had been organized to offer chizuk and inspiration to a group of young boys serving in the IDF. The organizer, Rabbi Yitzchok Guttman, had invited the esteemed Mashpia, R’ Gamliel Rabinowitz shlita, to speak to the soldiers.
R’ Gamliel’s background as a Yerushalmi, known for its strict, anti-Zionist ideology, made his attendance remarkable. Yet, R’ Gamliel arrived with his usual radiant, welcoming smile. He stood before the young soldiers and delivered a deeply moving, elevated speech. He poured his heart out, offering them inspiration, spiritual warmth, and love.
When he finished his remarks, he walked out of the room, leaving the boys uplifted. But a minute later, the door swung open again. R’ Gamliel stepped back inside and called out to the group: “Boys, you should know that I am from the Neturei Karta (anti-Zionist group)!” With that declaration he turned around and left the building. The organizer stood there in amazement, suddenly grasping what had just occurred.
R’ Gamliel belonged to a group fiercely opposed to the ideology of the army these boys were serving in. He did not hide his identity, nor did he compromise his own deeply held beliefs. Yet, he still came to uplift them. He taught them a monumental lesson: At the end of the day, we are all Yidden!
NIMSHAL: The Jewish nation traveled (Masei) and belong to different camps (Matos), yet as a whole, we share one soul. Moshe reminded Gad and Reuven that although they may want to “do their own thing,” ultimately, we are one nation that joins each other - no matter the differences between us!