The Oversized Vav and the Inner Battle
Danny was sitting by his open Gemara, deep in thought. I once heard that the reason the month after Tishrei is called "Marcheshvan" is that the impression of Tishrei still lingers, and from the power of that impression our lips still whisper prayers on their own.1 And indeed, he reflected, the month of Tishrei was full of spiritual power. My heart beat with excitement and joy, and I accepted upon myself to strengthen myself... to do everything I could not to fall again into the clutches of my ever-embattled enemy – the evil inclination.
And here we are, today is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. Only yesterday Tishrei ended, and I already feel myself slipping! I’m a captive once more! Just a week has passed since Simchat Torah, and yet I find myself again struggling with spiritual trials and challenges. When will I finally merit the redemption of my soul from the grip of the evil inclination? Is there really no way at all to eliminate the evil inclination2 and live a calmer, more serene life? He felt sad and disappointed in himself. How did it manage to catch me again so quickly?
On the table beside him lay a Mesilot pamphlet, and Danny reached out, picked it up, opened it and began to read:
“In the Gemara (Kiddushin 30a) it is taught that the early sages were called “scribes,” for they would count all the letters of the Torah. They taught that the letter Vav in the word gachon is the midpoint of the letters in a Torah scroll.
To explain the Gemara’s words:
In Parashat Shemini, regarding the dietary prohibitions, it is stated: ‘All that walk on their belly, and all that walk on all fours, up to any that have many legs, of all the swarming things that swarm on the earth, you shall not eat them, for they are abhorrent’ (Leviticus 11:42).
Now, in the word “gachon” (belly) there is a Vav, and when the early sages studied this verse, it was revealed to them that this Vav (the Vav of gachon) is the exact middle point – half the total number – of all the letters in a Sefer Torah.
Moreover, this Vav is written as a large letter, meaning it is taller/longer than a typical Vav.3 This Gemara also teaches us that it is impossible to eliminate the evil inclination entirely; one can only redirect it and redefine the arena and limits of the challenge...”
Danny felt a gentle stir of questions in his mind. How had the author reached that idea? Where was it written?... Curious, he read on...
Wellsprings of Wisdom
1. The holy Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, of blessed memory, said: “In the month of Cheshvan, the lips are still whispering (merachshot) from the prayers and devotions of the month of Tishrei – which begin with the shofar of Rosh Hashanah and conclude with the Four Species on Sukkot (and therefore it is called Mar-cheshvan).” (Imrei Chayim, vol. I, p. 13)
2. On this subject, Rabbi Meir Gerlitz related the following story:
When Rabbi Moshe of Shinova, the Yismach Moshe, served as the town’s rabbi, he led with strength and restored true Torah life. The Jews revered him, and even the gentiles sensed his holiness. He guided the town firmly yet lived in constant diligence, keeping to a strict schedule of learning day and night.
The local governor could not tolerate the honor shown to the rabbi. Jealousy consumed him, and he began sending agents to invent accusations and disturb the rabbi’s home. The community begged the Yismach Moshe to visit the governor with a gift, but he refused. “My time is not mine to waste on such people,” he said, and returned to his assiduous study.
When word came that the governor planned to imprison him, the leaders came in fear. The rabbi told them of Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, who once prayed through the night, until a wicked ruler who had threatened him, died suddenly. “But I,” he said, “have no night to spare from my Torah learning, and my rebbetzin lacks the strength to pray in my stead. I will rely on G-d—and on the Torah.”
He lowered his eyes to his book, and they left.
That winter, the governor traveled to a nobleman’s banquet, drank heavily, and returned home at midnight. As he stepped from his carriage, his foot slipped. The rifle at his side struck the ground, misfired, and killed him instantly.
By morning the news had spread. The danger that hung above the Jewish community was now gone, and the righteous rabbi was left in peace. The power of the Torah had prevailed!
3. Minchat Shai comments: “Gachon – Has a Vav rabbati (large Vav), but is not larger than the adjacent nun, just a bit taller than usual.”
