Parshas Vaeschanan (Nachamu) 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
ואתחנן אל ה' בעת ההוא לאמר ... (ג-כג)
MASHAL: An elderly wealthy man had a son who was an outright ignoramus. The young man was so witless that he could not be trusted with the family riches. Realizing that in a number of years his son would inherit all of his silver and gold, the wise old man feared his son would foolishly squander the entire fortune. As he had no other children, he knew this would potentially become a major problem. He scratched his head feverishly for many days until he devised a plan.
He took a large box and placed in it several letters containing words of approbation and pleas for help, customarily carried by individuals collecting charity. He then placed all of his money on top of the letter. “At least,” figured the elderly man, “my son will be able to take these letters and request some donations to sustain himself after he fritters away the inheritance.”
NIMSHAL: Said the Dubno Maggid, Hashem established a Bais HaMikdash and a sacrificial rite for the Jewish Nation. Yet it was revealed before Him that the Bais HaMikdash would one day be destroyed. He therefore placed a thought in the heart of Dovid Hamelech and our great Sages, to establish prayers for us in place of the holy site. When there will no longer be a Bais HaMikdash for us to perform the Avodah, at least we will will be left a means capable of beseeching Him.
This great merit of tefillah is what Moshe Rabbeinu utilized to its fullest potential in the beginning of this week’s parsha and from him we take lesson. Tefillah is part and parcel of the Jewish nation. It is said that following the Yom Kippur War, the Beis Yisrael (Gerrer Rebbe) was besieged by visiting delegations from all over the world. To all queries he had one answer, “We must pray.” Once a distinguished Rav asked him casually, “What do you say about the current situation?” Replied the Rebbe: “I say Tehillim!”