D.Abraham
04-09-2003, 03:48 PM
Please read.
Parshas Hagadol
Malachi 3:4
by Rabbi Dovid Siegel
"This week's haftorah, read in conjunction with Shabbos Hagadol, depicts the
Jewish scene moments before the advent of Mashiach. Malachi, the last
prophet before our first exile, shares with us the prevalent conversations
during the final moments of our final exile. The masses of our people will
reflect upon the generation's unprecedented affluence and conclude that
Torah observance is a wasted exercise. Their argument will be,"What
material gain has ever come from observing His commandments or walking the
downtrodden path for His sake? We constantly praise the agnostics and the
wicked who met much success and yet, escaped the wrath of Above." (3:14,
15) The impressive financial success of so many unaffiliated Jews will
suggest an indifference on the side of Hashem, almost to the extent of
condoning their inexcusable behavior.
What will be the response of the righteous? The prophet continues, "Then
the G-d fearing people will speak amongst themselves and Hashem will
hearken, listen and preserve the comments of those who revere Him and
respect His name." (3:16) During those dark moments G-d fearing people will
be scarce. However, those who will endure and persevere, despite the fierce
influences of exile, will remain steadfast in their faith. They will gather
and strengthen one another sharing their true perspectives on life. They do
not seek tangible benefits from life and certainly do not expect a reward
in this finite world (see Malbim to 3:16) Their service is based on
reverence and respect rather than reward or material gain. To them, the
absence of fame or financial success will not present serious challenge to
their commitment. Instead, they will patiently await the era of redemption
wherein the glory of Hashem will become revealed to all.
Our Chazal in Yalkut Shimoni (591) explain this unwavering faith with the
following parable. The queen was once confronted by a maidservant in the
midst of a dark night. The latter argued that she was more attractive than
the queen herself! The queen responded calmly, "Say all you wish now
because tomorrow in the light of day the truth will be revealed." In the
same vein righteous people, during our dark exile, find themselves at a
serious disadvantage. In the absence of Hashem's clear revelations anything
can be presented and said. Allusions can easily be construed that promise
eternal bliss for those who walk the unethical and immoral path. It
requires men of great character and commitment to rise above public opinion
and speak the truth. Their response to this senseless talk is, "The truth
is around the corner." "Soon Mashiach will arrive and the clear revelations
of Hashem will tell the real story." Regarding these devout, the prophet
says, "And for you who fear Hashem a gracious and healing sun will shine
upon you." (3:20) Those who firmly awaited the light of redemption will
merit its light, the brilliant radiance of Hashem. The light of day will
finally arrive and those clear perspectives of the righteous will become
self evident truths.
In truth, these very same discussions took place in Egypt and served as an
essential factor in the preservation of our people. The Midrash Rabba
(Shmos 5:18) reveals to us that the Jewish people observed Shabbos long
before they were commanded. In defense of his people, Moshe Rabbeinu
approached Pharaoh and insisted on a day of rest. After being granted his
request, Moshe conveniently dedicated the seventh day of the week for this
purpose. The Midrash adds that the Jewish people effectively utilized this
day to study scrolls of redemption. In the midst of heavy persecution the
Jews maintained their faith in Hashem. Although no trace of Hashem could be
seen they remained devoted to Him. They didn't question Hashem's lack of
involvement and were not influenced by the darkness of their
exile. Although their wicked taskmasters enjoyed a comfortable life this
could not seduce the Jewish people into straying from Hashem. They, too,
gathered together and encouraged each other with the truths of Hashem.They
understood that daylight would eventually arrive and, in the radiance of
Hashem, the truth would become self evident. In this merit they did
experience those long awaited results. Eventually, Hashem did shine His
light upon them as it says, "For the Jewish people there was light in their
settlement." (Shmos 10:23) May we merit to experience this light speedily
in our days."
Rabbi Dovid Siegel
Kollel Toras Chaim
Kiryat Sefer
Israel
E-mail: rdsiegel@torah.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haftorah, Copyright © 2003 by Rabbi Dovid Siegel and Torah.org. The author
is Rosh Kollel (Dean) of Kollel Toras Chaim, Kiryat Sefer, Israel.
Parshas Hagadol
Malachi 3:4
by Rabbi Dovid Siegel
"This week's haftorah, read in conjunction with Shabbos Hagadol, depicts the
Jewish scene moments before the advent of Mashiach. Malachi, the last
prophet before our first exile, shares with us the prevalent conversations
during the final moments of our final exile. The masses of our people will
reflect upon the generation's unprecedented affluence and conclude that
Torah observance is a wasted exercise. Their argument will be,"What
material gain has ever come from observing His commandments or walking the
downtrodden path for His sake? We constantly praise the agnostics and the
wicked who met much success and yet, escaped the wrath of Above." (3:14,
15) The impressive financial success of so many unaffiliated Jews will
suggest an indifference on the side of Hashem, almost to the extent of
condoning their inexcusable behavior.
What will be the response of the righteous? The prophet continues, "Then
the G-d fearing people will speak amongst themselves and Hashem will
hearken, listen and preserve the comments of those who revere Him and
respect His name." (3:16) During those dark moments G-d fearing people will
be scarce. However, those who will endure and persevere, despite the fierce
influences of exile, will remain steadfast in their faith. They will gather
and strengthen one another sharing their true perspectives on life. They do
not seek tangible benefits from life and certainly do not expect a reward
in this finite world (see Malbim to 3:16) Their service is based on
reverence and respect rather than reward or material gain. To them, the
absence of fame or financial success will not present serious challenge to
their commitment. Instead, they will patiently await the era of redemption
wherein the glory of Hashem will become revealed to all.
Our Chazal in Yalkut Shimoni (591) explain this unwavering faith with the
following parable. The queen was once confronted by a maidservant in the
midst of a dark night. The latter argued that she was more attractive than
the queen herself! The queen responded calmly, "Say all you wish now
because tomorrow in the light of day the truth will be revealed." In the
same vein righteous people, during our dark exile, find themselves at a
serious disadvantage. In the absence of Hashem's clear revelations anything
can be presented and said. Allusions can easily be construed that promise
eternal bliss for those who walk the unethical and immoral path. It
requires men of great character and commitment to rise above public opinion
and speak the truth. Their response to this senseless talk is, "The truth
is around the corner." "Soon Mashiach will arrive and the clear revelations
of Hashem will tell the real story." Regarding these devout, the prophet
says, "And for you who fear Hashem a gracious and healing sun will shine
upon you." (3:20) Those who firmly awaited the light of redemption will
merit its light, the brilliant radiance of Hashem. The light of day will
finally arrive and those clear perspectives of the righteous will become
self evident truths.
In truth, these very same discussions took place in Egypt and served as an
essential factor in the preservation of our people. The Midrash Rabba
(Shmos 5:18) reveals to us that the Jewish people observed Shabbos long
before they were commanded. In defense of his people, Moshe Rabbeinu
approached Pharaoh and insisted on a day of rest. After being granted his
request, Moshe conveniently dedicated the seventh day of the week for this
purpose. The Midrash adds that the Jewish people effectively utilized this
day to study scrolls of redemption. In the midst of heavy persecution the
Jews maintained their faith in Hashem. Although no trace of Hashem could be
seen they remained devoted to Him. They didn't question Hashem's lack of
involvement and were not influenced by the darkness of their
exile. Although their wicked taskmasters enjoyed a comfortable life this
could not seduce the Jewish people into straying from Hashem. They, too,
gathered together and encouraged each other with the truths of Hashem.They
understood that daylight would eventually arrive and, in the radiance of
Hashem, the truth would become self evident. In this merit they did
experience those long awaited results. Eventually, Hashem did shine His
light upon them as it says, "For the Jewish people there was light in their
settlement." (Shmos 10:23) May we merit to experience this light speedily
in our days."
Rabbi Dovid Siegel
Kollel Toras Chaim
Kiryat Sefer
Israel
E-mail: rdsiegel@torah.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haftorah, Copyright © 2003 by Rabbi Dovid Siegel and Torah.org. The author
is Rosh Kollel (Dean) of Kollel Toras Chaim, Kiryat Sefer, Israel.