Soroh Imeinu - Free From Sin!
Let’s begin with the following story told over by Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l which happened many years ago. There was a young Rabbi in Eretz Yisroel attempting to institute some liberal innovations into certain aspects of Hilchos Shabbos, especially for those serving in the army. However, when he presented some of these leniencies to Av Beis Din of the Eidah HaChareidis Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky zt”l, the Rav was not impressed. The young Rabbi persisted in offering various proofs to his approach from obscure sources. Rav Yosef Tzvi, somewhat exasperated, banged his cane on the floor and concluded, “Young man, I know only one thing. My Bubbe told me you are not allowed to be Mechalel Shabbos!”
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah tells us about the greatness of our Bubbe Soroh Imeinu. The posuk says she lived for 100 years, 20 years and 7 years - a total of 127 years. Rashi points out that the reason why the word “years” is mentioned three times is to teach us that she remained free from sin her entire life. This is absolutely outstanding and the question is what was her secret? How did she manage to remain free from sin her entire life?
Perhaps we can suggest the following answer. The מדרש רבה (ס׳:ט״ז) tells us that in Soroh’s tent, there were three miracles that took place continuously. The Shabbos candles remained alight throughout the week, there was a Brocha in the dough, and a cloud of glory hovered above the tent. The question is: What is the significance of the Shabbos candles remaining alight throughout the week? What does this miracle reveal about Soroh’s greatness?
The ספר הערות (ק״ז) from Reb Zeidel Epstein zt”l gives a beautiful explanation based on the Gemora in ביצה (טז). Reb Shimon Ben Lokish said: “Hashem places a Neshoma Yeseira into a person as Shabbos begins, whose purpose is to help elevate him over Shabbos, but this Neshoma Yeseira is taken from him when Shabbos ends. Regarding this the Gemora says - woe to the loss of this extra soul on Motzei Shabbos for its benefits are so great. This emphasises the great care that we need to take during the week not to lose the exalted levels that we have gained from Shabbos. However, Soroh Imeinu was different. Because the profound impact that Shabbos had on her didn’t fade with the passing of Shabbos; rather, its influence had its effect on her the entire week. This is symbolised by the miracle of the Shabbos candles which remained alight in her home until the next Shabbos.
We can now add a further dimension to the words of Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky. Indeed, our Bubbe, Soroh Imeinu, taught us far more than just to refrain from being Mechalel Shabbos. She taught us that the Kedusha and Menucha of Shabbos which can be gained through our efforts in Torah learning, the Tefillos of Shabbos, and the Achdus created by its beautiful Seudos, can stay with us and influence us throughout the week. Is it any wonder then, that Soroh Imeinu merited to remain free from sin her entire life? Because by utilising each Shabbos to its fullest and allowing its impact to elevate the following week, she continuously rose to greater heights in Avodas Hashem, and thus she remained totally free from sin!
