One of the highlights of the pre-Pesach season in the Flatbush Jewish community is the annual Shabbos Hagadol Drashah of Klal Bais Yitzchok delivered by its much-beloved mara d'asra, Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser. The drashah took place this past Shabbos Parashas Metzora, 7 Nisan/April 12 at Edward R. Murrow High School. Yidden walked in from outlying areas as well to attend this kiddush Hashem.
The Rav began his drashah by noting that preparations for Pesach are taking place on the heels of various tzaros that have rocked Klal Yisrael recently – in Eretz Yisrael, in the United States and in Europe. In addition, many people presently face daunting challenges in their private lives.
He cited Chazal who tell us that on Pesach, which is the chag ha'geulah, the festival of redemption, one in enjoined to regard himself as if he had come out from Mitzrayim. Yet, the Sefas Emes tells us that the inyan of geulah applies at this time not only on a communal level but on a personal one as well. This zeman gives a person the potential to extricate himself from his own personal "Mitzrayim," each with its attendant hardships. We see from here that Pesach is a time of hope and encouragement for the individual as well as for the klal.
There is a custom mentioned by the Shelah to kiss the matzah and marror before eating them, to show the simchah and the chavivus (preciousness) with which we approach these mitzvos. Hagaon Harav Yitzchak Hutner, zt”l, commented that while this custom in regard to the matzah is readily understandable since matzah brings to mind our redemption one may wonder why it applies to marror which represents the bitterness of Egyptian bondage. He explains that kissing the marror implies kabbalas yissurim b’ahavah, acceptance of suffering with love. Such willingness on the part of those undergoing adversity will serve as a powerful zechus which can cause the yissurim to be lessened or even removed.
Rav Goldwasser noted that in passage “Matzah Zoh” in the Haggadah we read that Bnei Yisrael left Mitrayim with matzos since upon Hashem’s revelation that the time of redemption was at hand they had to leave imminently and had no time to allow the dough to rise or to prepare other provisions. We learn from here that when considering a worthwhile undertaking, we should be careful not to be overcautious, burdening ourselves with questions and calculations and thereby risk losing a valuable opportunity. An example of this is the irrelevant, foolish questions people ask in regard to a shidduch possibility or not attending a shiur because of minor inconveniences. Bnei Yisrael’s hasty exodus from Mitzrayim is a model for us to avoid overcomplicating our lives and thus missing opportunities.
On Echad Mi Yodei’a in the Haggadah, the Rav quoted Hagaon Harav Elazar Shach, zt”l, who said that the words Echad Ani Yodei’a and Shnayim Ani Yodei’a which refer respectively to knowing Hashem and knowing the Torah, represent everything a person needs to know; all else is nonessential.
He related that a yungerman once came to Rav Shach with the idea that the Rosh Yeshivah should get involved with a scandalous situation. The Rosh Yeshivah asked him, “Why is it that you are aware of this and I am not?” While Rav Shach was unsparing in the guidance he provided Klal Yisrael, he felt involvement with this particular matter would be unnecessary and a distraction from the ikkar – Torah and avodas Hashem.
Rav Goldwasser spoke about how the wonderful middah of savlanus (patience) enhances one’s life. Fathers sometimes wish to convey lengthy, profound divrei Torah at the Seder, and have little patience for their children’s more elcmentary Torah thoughts they were looking forward to share. The father should muster the patience to give the spotlight to his children even if he won’t be able to cnvey all that he prepared, he said.
In a similar vein, the Rav spoke about how important it is to be mevater (give in) to others in daily situations and insisting on “one’s rights.” This could be in shalom bayis situation or even when drivers contend over a parking space. To illustrate the tremendous zechus that is generated when one is mevater to another, the Rav related that in a certain shul two bar mitzvah bachurim were erroneously scheduled to lein on Shabbos Parashas Yisro of that year. Shortly beforehand, after both bachurim had spent months preparing, the mistake was discovered. Fortunately, one bachur volunteered he would step aside and let the other read the parashah.
Several years later this bachur who gave up the honor found himself in the hospital with his mother who faced a critical medical situation. A decision had to be made with the input of daas Torah.
That Friday Hagaon Harav Elyashiv, shlita, entered that very hospital for observation where he would remain for Shabbos. It was the week of Parashas Yisro and someone was needed to lein for Rav Elyashiv. Having once carefully prepared this parashah the bachur volunteered for their privilege and was accepted. After leining for the Rav, the bachur was able to speak to the Rav about his mother’s predicament and came away with a psak and a brachah for her full recovery.
Rav Goldwasser commented that Hashem never forgets a commendable deed and always pays back at some point in time.
As every year, the Rav concluded with a request for assistance in providing Yom Tov provisions for the families in need.
The drashah was dedicated in part by Kosher Palace of Avenue U in Brooklyn.
The Rav began his drashah by noting that preparations for Pesach are taking place on the heels of various tzaros that have rocked Klal Yisrael recently – in Eretz Yisrael, in the United States and in Europe. In addition, many people presently face daunting challenges in their private lives.
He cited Chazal who tell us that on Pesach, which is the chag ha'geulah, the festival of redemption, one in enjoined to regard himself as if he had come out from Mitzrayim. Yet, the Sefas Emes tells us that the inyan of geulah applies at this time not only on a communal level but on a personal one as well. This zeman gives a person the potential to extricate himself from his own personal "Mitzrayim," each with its attendant hardships. We see from here that Pesach is a time of hope and encouragement for the individual as well as for the klal.
There is a custom mentioned by the Shelah to kiss the matzah and marror before eating them, to show the simchah and the chavivus (preciousness) with which we approach these mitzvos. Hagaon Harav Yitzchak Hutner, zt”l, commented that while this custom in regard to the matzah is readily understandable since matzah brings to mind our redemption one may wonder why it applies to marror which represents the bitterness of Egyptian bondage. He explains that kissing the marror implies kabbalas yissurim b’ahavah, acceptance of suffering with love. Such willingness on the part of those undergoing adversity will serve as a powerful zechus which can cause the yissurim to be lessened or even removed.
Rav Goldwasser noted that in passage “Matzah Zoh” in the Haggadah we read that Bnei Yisrael left Mitrayim with matzos since upon Hashem’s revelation that the time of redemption was at hand they had to leave imminently and had no time to allow the dough to rise or to prepare other provisions. We learn from here that when considering a worthwhile undertaking, we should be careful not to be overcautious, burdening ourselves with questions and calculations and thereby risk losing a valuable opportunity. An example of this is the irrelevant, foolish questions people ask in regard to a shidduch possibility or not attending a shiur because of minor inconveniences. Bnei Yisrael’s hasty exodus from Mitzrayim is a model for us to avoid overcomplicating our lives and thus missing opportunities.
On Echad Mi Yodei’a in the Haggadah, the Rav quoted Hagaon Harav Elazar Shach, zt”l, who said that the words Echad Ani Yodei’a and Shnayim Ani Yodei’a which refer respectively to knowing Hashem and knowing the Torah, represent everything a person needs to know; all else is nonessential.
He related that a yungerman once came to Rav Shach with the idea that the Rosh Yeshivah should get involved with a scandalous situation. The Rosh Yeshivah asked him, “Why is it that you are aware of this and I am not?” While Rav Shach was unsparing in the guidance he provided Klal Yisrael, he felt involvement with this particular matter would be unnecessary and a distraction from the ikkar – Torah and avodas Hashem.
Rav Goldwasser spoke about how the wonderful middah of savlanus (patience) enhances one’s life. Fathers sometimes wish to convey lengthy, profound divrei Torah at the Seder, and have little patience for their children’s more elcmentary Torah thoughts they were looking forward to share. The father should muster the patience to give the spotlight to his children even if he won’t be able to cnvey all that he prepared, he said.
In a similar vein, the Rav spoke about how important it is to be mevater (give in) to others in daily situations and insisting on “one’s rights.” This could be in shalom bayis situation or even when drivers contend over a parking space. To illustrate the tremendous zechus that is generated when one is mevater to another, the Rav related that in a certain shul two bar mitzvah bachurim were erroneously scheduled to lein on Shabbos Parashas Yisro of that year. Shortly beforehand, after both bachurim had spent months preparing, the mistake was discovered. Fortunately, one bachur volunteered he would step aside and let the other read the parashah.
Several years later this bachur who gave up the honor found himself in the hospital with his mother who faced a critical medical situation. A decision had to be made with the input of daas Torah.
That Friday Hagaon Harav Elyashiv, shlita, entered that very hospital for observation where he would remain for Shabbos. It was the week of Parashas Yisro and someone was needed to lein for Rav Elyashiv. Having once carefully prepared this parashah the bachur volunteered for their privilege and was accepted. After leining for the Rav, the bachur was able to speak to the Rav about his mother’s predicament and came away with a psak and a brachah for her full recovery.
Rav Goldwasser commented that Hashem never forgets a commendable deed and always pays back at some point in time.
As every year, the Rav concluded with a request for assistance in providing Yom Tov provisions for the families in need.
The drashah was dedicated in part by Kosher Palace of Avenue U in Brooklyn.
26 comments:
How lucky people are those being able to listen your lectures, hope they know to appreciate them.
Dear Rabbi Goldwasser,
do You think of recording your speeches on CD or even make a DVD?
I whish being there.
Could I ask You a question please ?
Why do we read the complet hallel for only first day of Pesah but not all other days of the holiday ?
everybody is talking about this lecture, and we can't wait for a new one
I know You are very busy, but please try to organize seminar for teachers ( in general)and teach them how to keep students attention longer then 5 minutes.
Have You seen how many people come ?
I love rabbi goldwasser deroshos keep them coming please.
Happy to find more Your's sites. You are inspiration for many of us.
Your lectures always give a proper answer on my questions. Thank You
How could I order Your tapes, or can I buy them in GB and if yes, where. I love your way of teaching.
WE CONTROL OUR WORDS BEFORE THEY LEAVE OUR MOUTH, BUT ONCE THEY LEAVE THEY CONTROL US.
could anyone tell me if there is a tape of the shiva osur btamuz speech ?
is rabbi dovid goldwasser speaking on chamisha osor b'av ?
how can i make my desire to stop being jealous of others a reality ?
There are many aspects of being Jealous and they must be addressed carefully.
When one is unhappy with his own life, (career, wife, kids, car, house etc.)his eyes will wander and look at the lives of others.
We are so quick to judge everyone around us, because truthfully, the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side. But we never really know the Tzaros of others, no matter how happy they may seem.
Chazal say that jealousy dries up the bones. A person can be so consumed in their jealousy of others that it can literally destroy everything that they have. Our sages tell us that when one is jealous they do not gain anything and will surely lose all that they have.
We must look at the positive things in our lives and appreciate the little details. when we focus on all the negative details in our lives. surely we want to live someone elses. However, it all depends on our perspective in life, we have to have emuna and bitachon in HKBH when things are going a little rough. We must also try to be truely happy for our friends when they are experiencing a simcha. We say in Shema: "Ve loh Sasurru achareim levavechem Veacharei Einechem....." "Do not let your eyes and hearts wander..." IF we appreciate the good that HKBH blesses us with, then our hearts and eyes won't desire what others have.
I hope this helped a little bit...
Tefilla is not a shopping list; it is the trafficless highway that leads straight to HKBH's ears.
There is absolutely nothing that we can not Daven for! We can move heavens and earth with one Tefilla.
The Alexander Rebbe said that the real exile of the Jews from Egypt was that they had learned to endure it.
I have davening for something for so long. But I'm ashamed to say I'm begining to lose my bitachon and am feeling frustrated with HKBH that I have not been answered yet. what should I do? I know I should have emuna and continue to daven and grow but its getting too difficult.....
"Nachamu Nachamu Ami Yomer Elokechem"-- Hash-m Says there needs to be a double nechama, one for me and one for Klal Yisroel. Its a rather comforting thought to remember that HKBH goes into GAlus with us and the Shechina cries with Bnai Yisroel.
We learn in Gemara Taanis that there were never such Yomim Tovim as Chamisha Asar B'Av and Yom Hakippurim and the Bnos Yisroel would go out dressed in borrowed white clothing.
R' Shmuel Slonim comments that this alludes to the days of great Teshuvah, when we are granted forgiveness for our sins--that they last from Tu B'Av to Yom Kippur.
Whoever can inspire to do Teshuva, how good it is. Even if a person cannot inspire himself, only through Koach of the inheritence of his forefathers who were righteous, that is also good. A person who does not possess the self-inspiration to do Teshuva nor does he have the Yerusha, he should at least borrow from his rebbeim and from friends to be inspired during these holy days.
On Tisha B'Av we say "Eicha Yashva Vedod--how is it that Tzion dwells alone? Ha'ir Rabosi Am--the city that was so filled with people?
The great Tzaddik R' Levy Yitzchok of Berditchev says in the future we will read the same Eicha but with a different intonation. "Eicha Yashva Vedod-- how was this city once desolate? Ha'ir Rabosi Am-- look at its hundreds and thousands of people!
We learn in the Iggeres HaRamban that "anger is a most serious character flaw and causes a person to sin".
When someone is consumed in their rage and and constantly loses their temper, nothing can restrain them. They are easily pulled toward Tum'ah and their Yetzer will take over. Anger severs the relationship with HKBH, and wont stop to think before committing a sin. The Talmud (shabbos 105b) tells us that "the man who loses himself to anger is considered to have worshipped idols!"
We may get frustrated at times when things aren't going as we like them to and we resort to frustration and sometimes even anger. The Talmud teaches us something most comforting: There are no men that left this world without sinning. so therefore HKBH has TREMENDOUS Rachmanus on us by sending us retribution small bits at a time (instead of sending one CHAS VE'SHALOM devastating blows). We learn that these retributions, depending on the individuals purification needs, can range anywhere from, dropping your car keys when your hands are full, missing your bus/ train when you are running late already, taking out a dime when you need a penny etc. Instead of looking at our daily life as hassle we should thank HKBH for doing kindness to us.
R' Yehuda Segal Z'TL talked about the importance of learning Shmiras Halashon each day. He developed a specail canlander for this purpose. In his will he asked that the calander be buried with him , and he explained it would serve as his passport to Gan Eden.
will there be any rosh chodesh shiur for elul ?
Always have Emuna, even if a person asks for something a thousand times, never be discouraged. One of the earlier Bellzer Rebbe said," No answer is also an answer". When you get frustrated, it is often because of our own expectations. Dont forget that the Navi says: Hash-m enlightens us,"My thoughts are not your thoughts, and therefore, we do not even have a glimpse into the depth of judgement and Divine Providence in this world.
The great Mussar giants say the famous chazal, "whatever is done in this world by Hash-m, is done for the good."
The Avodas Panim, says that one should be in the habit of saying: "Hash-m if you want it, then I want it. However if You dont want it, I also dont want it."
We have to train ourselves to always be positive and to stregthen our Emuna and Bitachon.
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