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Parsha Ponderings
Parshas Bereishis Heart Direction
By Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky
Parshas Bereishis begins yet another cycle of Torah learning. As we concluded the holiday of Sukkos, and with it the entire period of Elul, the holy yomim tovim, Sukkos, and, of course, Simchas Torah, we read Parshas Bereishis, symbolizing a new beginning.
The word “Bereishis – In the beginning” seems to mean more than just the beginning of the world. The Torah is hinting something more to us.
The first letter of the Torah is a “beis” and last letter of the Torah is a “lamed.” Together, they spell “lev, heart.” What message is the Torah hinting with this?
I heard the following story in the name of Rav Ephraim Shapiro, rav of Congregation Shaarey Tefilah of North Miami Beach.
A young woman who had made aliyah from France to Israel was desperately searching for a shidduch, a partner in marriage. Her friend suggested that she see Rav Yissachor Meir, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hanegev in Netivot, and she happily obliged. Being that she did not understand Hebrew, she spoke to the Rosh Yeshiva through an interpreter.
Rav Meir heard her plight, and with a caring heart, instructed her to say certain chapters of Tehillim every day. He specified to her, in his native Hebrew, to say, “Kapital yud gim-
mel, kapital chof, kapital kuf
chof aleph, kapital kuf lamed,” using the word “kapital,” the Yiddish term commonly used when referring to chapters in Tehillim. She readily agreed to do so, thanked the Rav, and left.
Only a few weeks later, she met the perfect man and became engaged. She excitedly told her friend the good news along with her entire episode with the rosh yeshiva, but her friend was a bit surprised.
“I don’t understand. You don’t know how to read Hebrew! How did you say those chapters of Tehillim?”
The woman looked puzzled, as if she did not understand the problem.
“The Rav told me to say a special prayer every day, and I did exactly that! Every day, I picked up a book of Tehillim, and held it close to my heart. Then, with complete concentration and devotion, I said his special prayer. It goes like this: Kapital
yud gimmel, kapital chof, kapital kuf chof aleph, kapital kuf
lamed!”
My grandfather, Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt”l, had a fascinating insight. The two letters preceding the letters “lamed” and “beis” are an “aleph” and a “chof,” spelling the word “ach,” meaning “only” or “but.” “Ach” in Hebrew is always used as an exclusionary word, noting something missing or excluded.
The two letters following the letters “lamed” and “beis” are the letters “mem” and “gimmel,” spelling the Hebrew word “gam, also.” “Also” is obviously inclusionary, connoting an addition or an inclusion.
Our Sages teach us, “Echad ha’marbeh, v’echad hama’amit, u’bilvad sheyihei libo lashamayim, Whether one does more, or whether one does less, if only his heart is loyal to Hashem in heaven.”
The Torah, with its first and last words, is teaching us a fascinating lesson. One can be at the beginning of the long road of spirituality, knowing nothing yet but the first word of the Torah. On the other hand, one can be at the end of a long journey, having studied the entire Torah, and yet that is not what is most important in life.
What is most important to a Jew is his heart and his loyalty to Hashem and the direction he is traveling. That is what will ultimately propel him to a spiritual high.
Whether one’s actions are an “ach” or a “gam,” what is in between those letters, the “lev” will ultimately define his essence. Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky is the Director of Advancement at Yeshiva of South Shore – Yeshiva Toras Chaim Beis Binyamin. He is currently compiling the Torah thoughts from his grandfather, Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt”l, into print, in Hebrew and English. If you have any stories or divrei Torah to share from his grandfather, or to subscribe to receive a weekly dvar Torah from Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky’s teachings, you can email him at skamenetzky@yoss.org.
A RAMBAM MAN
Never leaves a supermarket wagon in the parking lot. ♦ Recognizes the “Don’t” in “Don’t cut the line.” ♦ He is the one who offers the “first sip” through which he gives more than a soda. ♦ The first 10 in minyan. ♦ A Rambam Man is the one campaigning, not complaining. ♦ He doesn’t ask, “Is that everything?” he is the one asking, “What else can I help you with?” ♦ He is an idea which leads the chabura, davens for the amud, and gives shiur. ♦ He is the “r” that protects the word “Friend.” ♦ Recognizes the “Don’t” in ”Don’t forget the milk.” ♦ He is the one who wears a scarf to make his mother happy. ♦ Knows that you never take the last cookie. ♦ A Rambam Man celebrates a victory by shaking the other player’s hand first. ♦ He doesn’t ask, “Where’s the exit?” he knows where the fire extinguisher is. ♦ He is the husband who is present when he is there. ♦ Recognizes that you don’t just love Israel, you represent it. ♦ He is the space between “nowhere” and “now here.” ♦ Helps clean up after the simcha is over. ♦ A Rambam Man is first to be asked and the last to demand. ♦ He cheers for the other team too. ♦ The one calling at 12:00AM to wish you a happy birthday. ♦ Recognizes that you look for the pass before the shot. ♦ He helped pump out the basement regardless of whether the house had a mezuzah. ♦ A Rambam Man doesn’t ask, “Can I do it later?” he asks, “How about right now?” ♦ The one who reads the word “untied” as “united.” ♦ He calls his friend when he sees he isn’t in school... and photocopies his notes for him. ♦ The one who is always standing on the subway because he always gives up his seat. ♦ He is the idea that you put your siddur and chumash back after davening. ♦ He is the husband who turns around to check on you. ♦ The one doing the “don’t” favor. ♦ The one who carried the bags but refused the tip. ♦ A Rambam Man never leaves shiur without thanking the Rebbe. ♦ A Rambam Man never leaves class without thanking the teacher. ♦ He is an idea which makes partner, starts a company, heads a practice, and chairs a committee.
