וְכ ִֽי-יָמ֥וּךְ אָח ִ֛יךָ ע מָָּ֖ךְ וְנ מְכַּר-לָָ֑ךְ לֹא-תִַּֽעֲבֹ֥ד בָּ֖וֹ עֲבֹ֥דַּת עִָֽבֶד: כְשָכ ֥יר כְתוֹשָָּ֖ב י הְיֶֶ֣ה ע מָָ֑ךְ עַּד-שְנַּ֥ת הַּיֹב ָּ֖ל יִַּֽעֲבֹ֥ד ע מִָֽךְ: (כ"ה ל"ט'מ ,)
("When your brother stumbles by you and is sold to you, do not work him the work of a slave. Like a paid worker he should be with you; until the jubilee year he shall work with you.")
The Ohr haChaim haKadosh speaks at length about what these verses are coming to teach us. He explains that we are alluding here to the entire history of the Jewish people, from Exile to the Final Redemption. One point in particular that he mentions is how the Exile actually has a positive side to it (Why else would Hashem do it if not for underlying positive reasoning?), and how that our being in many places across the world causes many good things throughout the entire Creation. These are all lofty concepts, but to take it on a simple level: There is something special about traveling around spreading the Word of Hashem! (see sefer Madreigas ha'Adam section M'zakeh es haRabim Chapter 6).
Story:
Before the Arizal's passing from the world, he assured his student Rebbi Chaim Vital z"l that he would be with him whenever he may need him, whether by dream or by some other method. The Arizal passed away, and so continued the process for many years, that whenever Rebbi Chaim would have some doubt or the like, the Arizal was there to help him. Until it came to a certain time that this stopped... Rebbi Chaim did not know why, until he received the response: For stopping to travel around spreading the Word of Hashem, to bring the people back! (A "Novardoker" story!) (Shvchei R' Chaim Vital Pg. 87)
Question:
How to measure success in "outreach"?
Answer:
Are you trying to tap into your private corner in the Torah, whatever it may be? That's enough! How many people did you reach, how many copies did you make, (how much kavod and human recognition did you get...)—who cares! We are not here for results anyways! (See Chovos haLevavos in Sha'ar haBitachon Chapter 4 Number 4). All Hashem cares about is your caring and trying, so get ready for the miracles to start flying!
Spreading Hashem's Wonders (see Tehilim 105:2):
- Out of the hundreds of fires across Eretz Yisrael, no major private damage or injuries caused. Thanks Hashem!
- Eight Iranian agents arrested in England, hours before their planned attack. Hashem is protecting us.
- Hypersonic missile from Yemen lands next to the Israeli airport with no serious damage or injuries caused. There is never anything to worry about, thanks to Hashem.
- High-ranking terrorist neutralized. Got 'em!
- Senior Hamas official killed in Lebanon. The more the better.
- Hezbollah's logistics commander killed in Lebanon. This is just for starters...
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Issue #24
