Rabbi's Corner

A newly married yeshiva student's wife once requested that he take out the garbage when he left in the morning to go to yeshiva.  He replied that it was not fitting for someone who studies Torah to do this.  In fact, later that day he went further and asked his Rosh Yeshiva (Head of the Torah school) his opinion about the matter.  "Yes," said the distinguished Rosh Yeshiva, "it is indeed not fitting for someone like yourself to take out the garbage."  And with that, the yeshiva student went home being thoroughly satisfied that the Rosh Yeshiva agreed with him.  The next morning, there was a knock on the door of the yeshiva student's home.  He was shocked to see the Rosh Yeshiva standing there.  "Would you please show me where you keep your garbage?" asked the Rosh Yeshiva.  "I came here to take it out for you."

In this week's parashah, Parashat Ha'azinu, we read the following: "My lesson will fall as the rain, my saying will flow like dew, like rainstorms on grass, and like raindrops on vegetation." (Devarim 32:2, Steinsaltz Edition)  Rabbi Chayim Shmuelevitz used to cite the Vilna Gaon on this verse who said that rain helps things grow.  But what does rain help grow?  Only that which has already been planted.  The same is true with the Torah, the study of which can help a person grow.  But just like the rain and plants, the growth spurred by Torah study is dependent upon what kind of character traits a person already has.  The Torah student filled with arrogance will become more arrogant as his knowledge increases, and he may laud it over those whom he considers inferior to him.  The person who is not filled with himself will use his Torah learning to be of service to his fellow Jews.  In fact, for such a person, the more Torah knowledge he accumulates, the more will his behavior toward others will become a Kiddush HaShem (a sanctification of HaShem's name).

A Rabbi once told the Chazon Ish all about the positive intellectual qualities of a young man whom his sister-in-law was considering marrying.  After listening patiently, the Chazon Ish interrupted the Rabbi and asked him, "Yes, but will he also be a good husband?"