We can sometimes think, do we really matter? Are our actions important in the grand scheme of things? Or are we like a lone vote in a non-swing state? And then suddenly Hashem sends a sign. No, my child- it doesn’t work that way at all. Even the little things you do have a monumental impact. All by yourself, you can change an entire world.
Lavan was Rivka’s brother. Not known for his piety, the Ohr Hachaim HaKodesh takes note- why was his name written as if he was a Tzaddik? A short lesson. The Torah has a rule. When it talks about a righteous individual it says the person's action before his name. Yet the Torah lists Lavan's action before his name (Vayaratz Lavan- and Lavan ran).. As if he were a tzaddik.
Why? Asks the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh, he was far from righteous. What was Lavan running after? He saw how many gifts Eliezer had and he wanted them. He wanted to steal his money, so he ran after him. Not too noble. But for one split second Lavan saw a strange man talking with his sister and wanted to protect her. And for that small thought even though it did not last for more than a second - Hashem guised him as a tzaddik.
From this we see that no pure action goes unrewarded by the Heavens. Everytime the Kohanim went up to bless the congregation, R’ Shmuel, an elderly Jew went outside into the hallway. After a while they asked him.. Why are you leaving? He answered with a quivering heart.
“I go out into the hallway to cry.”
But why, they asked.
“When I was a teenager I was in Auschwitz and one of my bunkmates was caught doing something that was not allowed. He knew that he would soon breath his last breath and asked the cruel nazi guard (yimach shmo) to allow him to say a few words to the rest of us in the bunkhouse. He went inside to us and told us the followin, “I have lost everything in my life- all my possessions, all my family and soon I will be taken from this world. I have nothing left, nothing whatsoever in this world. But I am a Kohen and all I have left is the power to bless you all.” And he proceeded to bless us with the Birkas Hakohanim.
“Years ago I had a crisis of faith and wanted to give up every attachment I had to Yiddishkeit. But every time I remember this Yid who had nothing and yet took the time to bless us with Birkas Kohanim- I am embarrassed that I even thought of abandoning my observance. This Jew made me realize that Hashem blesses me every minute of every day with life, health and everything I need! That is why I choke up and cannot bear hearing the Kohanic blessing during the Holidays.”
Imagine, one pure Jew who had nothing - blessed his friends and saved generations of Ehrliche Yidden.
Each and every one of us has the power through our actions and thoughts to save worlds. We should never underestimate this strength. We must devote ourselves to our families, friends and everyone in our community. Hashem blesses us with life - we must use this life to help others.
It’s a Heavenly imperative.
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
