THE BATTLE FOR "SHALOM" - part 15

TO UPROOT THE CAUSES OF ENMITY

 

Of course to the extent that a person develops in Da’as Elokim-internalizes truth and Torah values; to that extent Gashmius/materialistic interests, Kovod-honor-pride and the like become less and less important to him, thus removing primary causes of enmity and Machlokes.

A Godol said about the Rosh Yeshiva, “Reb Aharon doesn’t know what kovod is.” He in general never considered himself -- only his mission.

The Rebbitzin Oleho Hasholom once made the most awe inspiring comment about her husband to this Talmid: “In fifty years he never spoke about himself”!

Rav Schneur zt'l used to talk about how his father’s total dedication to his shlichus - his mission - was always to the exclusion of any personal considerations. He couldn’t ever understand how one can bring in personal considerations when there is an important task to be done (see pp. 36-7 in Yom Hazikoron for an example of this from a Vaad Hatzoloh meeting).

Rav Yehuda Jacobs shlita (mashgiach in Lakewood) recently said in a shmuess: The Rosh Yeshiva had different opinions from others and at times was strongly at odds with other important personages as to the Derech Hatorah in many vitally important areas. Yet never did he ever say a word against anyone personally; he spoke only of the issues themselves. This was because he had absolutely no interest in anything other than the issues, in anything other than Torah concerns. The rest just didn’t matter; it was totally outside his range of interest.

There is an inspiring story of Rav Schneur zt'l demonstrating both his disinterest in “Katnunios” and his deep concern for the feelings of others:

 

Rav Schneur was at a chasuna (wedding) in New York. He told the bochur who drove him to wait by the door of the hall-he has an important meeting to attend in Lakewood and they must leave the moment the Chupah-ceremony is over.

After the Chupah the bochur saw that Rav Schneur was not leaving. Coming over, Rav Schneur indicated that he wants to wait a while. Twenty minutes passed - a half hour - an hour - in the end Reb Schneur waited till the end of the Chasuna!

Afterwards he explained to the bochur why he changed his plan: At the Chupah he wasn’t given any Kibud – (honor), not a brocha or anything else. Of course this meant absolutely nothing to him; but, had he left early, the baalei simcha might just have imagined that he felt insulted and it could worry them, possibly even cause hard feelings G-d forbid. Preventing this was more important then the meeting! (Rav Malkiel shlita)

Finally, and this was a key point in Rav Schneur’s approach to forming opinions and making judgements, maintaining Sholom V’achvoh requires getting the total picture of people and events-not just a piece here and a piece there – and viewing that picture against a backdrop of Torah.

This, in effect means emulating the way The Holy One - ‘Hakodosh Boruch Hu’ Himself, so to speak, looks at people and judges their actions; or as Rav Schneur would term it: looking from above, from the vantage point of the Kisei Hakovod itself....

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