Posted in Hashkafa, tagged da'as torah, das torah, limud hatorah on February 16, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Rav Elchonon Wasserman once asked why the torah is referred to as ‘Toshiya – Counsel”?
He answered by explaining that all wisom and counsel comes from the Torah itself. The fact is that we rely on our leaders and sages to give us their counsel based upon their deep knowledge and understanding of the Torah Hakedosha. This is the meaning of “Da’as Torah”.
<From Rav Simcha Wasserman>
Posted in Hashkafa, tagged das torah, elul, machashava, pincus, rav shimshon pincus, Torah, yom tov on January 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Chazal teach us “Sofo Na’utz Betchiloso – The end is attached to the beginning”. In a different place, Chazal explain this concept with the words “Sof Ma’aseh B’machashava Techiloh – The final output is dependent upon the initial thought”.
When an Architect draws up plans for a building, he already has the final draft completed – with a full schematic drawn up, before the first brick is even cemented! When a person drives up to the mountains for Shabbos and you ask him where he is going, he doesn’t begin to describe for you the exact sequence of each exit on the highway etc… Instead, he simply says that he is “going to the mountains for Shabboss”. In other words, he already has his eye on the prize from the very beginning ….just like the Architect in our previous example! This same concept applies with respect to our desire for spiritual growth. We need to focus from the very beginning on what it is that we’d like to accomplish at the end. When we say Modeh Ani in the morning, we need to immediately think about how we want our day to evolve. When we hear the first sounds of the Shofar at the beginning of Elul, we need to reflect on what we’d like to accomplish by the end of Simchas Torah and devise a plan to meet that end goal. Elul is a time when G-d takes us on a rocketship to meet and live with him in the heavenly spheres – quite literally! We live in Shamayim on this Earth! To be sure, every Jew becomes enthused and excited during this precious time. However, if we do not draw up a plan of action and decide on exactly what spiritual items we will be ‘purchasing’ , then we will ultimately come away from the Yomim Tovim with nothing but fond memories!!
Therefore, by focusing on the “Sof Ma’aseh B’machashava Techiloh”, we greatly enhance our opportunity for success!
<Heard From Rav Shimshon Pincus>
