RABBI BEN ZION SNEH
Take a good look inwards. It’s the end of our year, a time for self-introspection. How deeply did we care for others? For their feelings, their opinions, their lives? Has narcissism got a hold on our personalities. Even a little bit? Do we care? Or better yet do we show others we care? Do we demonstrate thoughtful behavior through our actions? Let’s see what the Torah says and how the Gedolei Yisroel acted.
Explaining the commandment not to plow with an ox and a donkey together- The Daas Zekeinim Baalei Tosafos tells us to take into consideration the feelings of the donkey. The donkey might see that the ox is continuing to chew away after he stopped eating and feel jealous (because the ox is rechewing his food, “chewing his cud,” as a good kosher animal does!). Imagine that – we have to be mindful of the feelings of a donkey!
The Sefer Hachinuch adds that if no two animals think alike, certainly no two people are the same as well, and we must be careful to respect each person for the greatness that they have deep in their souls! The Chazon Ish was once asked to sign a heter meah Rabbonim. It’s a halachic document, signed by 100 Rabbonim. that allows a man to divorce his wife, even if she refuses to divorce him, or if she cannot accept a get due to her mental condition.
The Talmud Chacham who approached the Chazon Ish to sign had a difficult life, to say the least. His wife was prone to terrible mood swings and mental illness. She was next to impossible to live with. The Chazon Ish thought long and hard before signing.
“Let us project into the future. I sign this document and the other Rabbonim that are waiting to see if I sign, will sign as well. Your divorce goes through. As sometimes occurs, your wife's condition improves, and one day you and your new wife go out for a stroll. I am afraid that if she sees how happy you are, her health will take a turn for the worse. What will we all feel then?...”
The elderly sage's countenance took on a sadness that revealed his eternal love for all of Klal Yisroel. Continuing to talk as if to himself, he said. “I have no choice but to daven for her to get better now – not later. What is her name and her mother’s name?”
In a quiet corner of his small apartment, the Chazon Ish turned to face the wall. With tears emanating from the deepest depths of his inner being, he davened for a woman who he never met, but whose condition touched his soul. In an amazing display of Kiddush Hashem, the woman's illness took a turn for the better, and the couple remained married. The care, concern and love for a fellow Jew, of a gadol b’ Yisroel, created a new reality.
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
