Parshas Vaera 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
ויאמר פרעה מי ה' אשר אשמע בקלו לשלח את ישראל ... (ה-ב)
MASHAL: In the city of Krakow, word arrived that Franz Joseph I, the Emperor of Austro-Hungary, was visiting. The Rov of Krakow, R’ Shimon Sofer zt”l (grandson of the Chasam Sofer) felt a tremor of trepidation and anticipated the day. According to halacha, witnessing a reigning monarch is a rare opportunity to recite a specific blessing.
Because this blessing is said so infrequently, R’ Shimon felt compelled to read it from a written text to ensure he said it correctly. He carefully transcribed the words onto a slip of paper and clutched it tightly. But as the royal procession approached, a wave of intense nerves washed over him. The air thick with pomp and the glint of golden medals, R’ Shimon’s hands shook violently. Suddenly, the slip of paper fluttered from his fingers! Forced to rely on his memory, he closed his eyes and recited the blessing by heart, his voice trembling with awe for the earthly ruler standing before him.
That evening, during Maariv, the congregation noticed something startling. R’ Shimon was weeping uncontrollably.
His students approached him after davening, concerned. R’ Shimon looked at them with eyes full of pain. “I am crying because of that paper,” he said admittedly. “Today, when I stood before a human king, I was so overcome with fear and awe that my hands failed me. But every day, when I stand before the King of Kings, I hold my Siddur with perfect composure. How come I’ve never been so moved by the presence of Hashem that I dropped my Siddur?!”
NIMSHAL: Pharaoh said, “Who is Hashem that I should listen to His voice?” A person like Pharaoh could not recognize the Almighty G-d. He apparently, only understood power that he could see, touch, and fear physically.