When the Sefas Emes was only two years old, his mother died, and six years later, his father tragically passed away as well. The young orphan was raised by his grandfather Rav Yitzchok Meir Alter, the first Gerrer Rebbe who was known as the Chiddushei Harim. Even as a young boy, the Sefas Emes was renowned for his hasmodah [diligence in Torah study], and he once decided to stay up an entire night engrossed in his learning.
After shacharis, the Sefas Emes felt tired and went to lie down for a bit, but his grandfather noticed his absence and was shocked to find him sleeping so late in the morning. The Chiddushei Harim proceeded to scold his grandson at length over what he perceived as laziness and a lack of commitment to Torah study. The Sefas Emes listened to the words of rebuke, opting to remain silent instead of speaking up in his defense to explain that he had been awake learning throughout the night.
Later, one of his friends asked him why he did not respond to the Chiddushei Harim’s suspicion by telling him the truth, thereby sparing himself unwarranted chastisement. The Sefas Emes responded that when a person has an opportunity to hear mussar [words of rebuke] from an adam gadol [great man], it is worthwhile to listen even if one knows he is innocent. He therefore chose not to defend himself so that he could hear his grandfather’s entire lecture.
The Sefas Emes added that he had a source from the Torah for his conduct. At the end of Parshas Chukas, the Jewish people conquered the lands of Sichon and Og, which were just across the Jordan to the east of Eretz Yisroel. In Parshas Mattos, the tribes of Gad and Reuven approached Moshe with a request. They noticed that these lands were particularly well-suited for raising animals. Since these two tribes were blessed with an abundance of livestock, they asked to receive and settle this area as their portion of land in Eretz Yisroel.
Moshe responded harshly, questioning why their brethren should go to battle to conquer Eretz Yisroel while they comfortably remain behind. He sternly added that their decision could dissuade the rest of the Jews from wanting to enter and possess the land, similar to the effects of the discouraging report brought back by the spies. After Moshe concluded his sharp tongue-lashing, the tribes of Gad and Reuven clarified their intentions, explaining that after they built cities for their families and animals, they would fight with the other tribes in the war to conquer Eretz Yisroel. Only after it was fully conquered and settled would they return to their families. When Moshe heard this, he agreed to their proposal.
The Sefas Emes explained that the tribes of Gad and Reuven always planned to participate in the conquest of Eretz Yisroel. If so, why did they patiently wait for 10 pasukim as Moshe accused them of cowardly forsaking and trying to demoralize their brethren, charges on which they knew they were innocent? Why didn’t they speak up right away to reassure Moshe that they intended all along to assist with the battle for Eretz Yisroel? Because they cherished the opportunity to hear mussar from someone as great as Moshe, an approach that he adopted when his grandfather admonished him. (R’ Ozer Alport)
