Va’ani Tefillah / Story of Mordechai Katz
Mordechai Katz, zl, arrived in Cleveland. Lech, ki shilachaha Hashem. We are here on a mission, sent by Hashem, to build Torah in America – and this they did.
Over the years, I have written thousands of stories – Some inspire me while I write; others stay with me, their message resonating, inspiring and guiding. I wrote the following vignette years ago, but it continues to visit me often, its message powerful and timeless. Indeed, as I get older, and I see and hear what is occurring in the wider community, its message becomes even stronger.
A distinguished Kollel fellow was known throughout his community for his tireless devotion to serving Hashem. He meticulously devoted every minute of his life to Torah study, tefillah and performing acts of kindness. His fervent devotion knew no bounds, as he sought to fulfill his purpose in life with unwavering commitment.
It all came to a halt, however, when he was struck down by the relentless grip of the dread disease. The ravages of illness left him bedridden, his body wracked with pain, and his spirit tested to its limits. In his darkest moments, he questioned the purpose behind his suffering. He asked his Rebbe why such vicissitudes had befallen him, when he could achieve so much more if he would be healthy and filled with vitality.
His Rebbe responded with powerful wisdom, which became the guiding light in this yunger man’s journey of faith. ‘‘Hashem does not want you to serve Him only when you are healthy,’’ he gently said, ‘’He wants you to serve Him with your last ounce of strength. This is your personal mission in life.’’
These words, though simple in delivery, carried a profound truth that resonated deeply within this young man’s neshamah, soul. Despite the excruciating pain that he endured, he found solace in the knowledge that his suffering had purpose. It was, instead, a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving Hashem, even in the face of adversity. With renewed determination, he embraced his illness as a means to deepen his connection to Hashem. Every moment became an opportunity to serve Hashem with greater devotion, to offer prayers of gratitude amidst the throes of pain, and find joy and inner peace in fulfilling his Divine mission.
He eventually succumbed to the devastating illness, but not before imparting a legacy of undeviating faith and devotion with which he served Hashem until his last breath. His story and its powerful lesson stand as a beacon of hope for all who face adversity, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we find purpose and meaning in serving a higher calling. After all, we are on a Divine mission.
Va’ani Tefillah
אור זרוע לצדיק ולישרי לב שמחה – Ohr zarua la’tzaddik u’le’yishrei lev simchah. Light is sown for the righteous, and for the upright of heart, gladness.
A yashar, straight person, is straightforward, honest and steady in his way. He neither engages in nor supports external actions, beliefs or attitudes. He opts for the middle road, attempting to get along with everyone, seeking a balance in life, looking for ways to moderate between the extremists. He makes choices that reflect a preference for harmony and equilibrium, rather than volatility and excess. As such, he is reliable as well as reasonable, making him the kind of person who achieves the trust of his community.
Some tzaddikim, righteous Jews, who, despite their unusual piety and virtue, will, at times, take an extreme position which is difficult for the average Jew to accept and follow. This does not mean that the yashar is not as devout as the tzaddik. Publicly, the yashar follows the straight path of moderation. He does not make demands on others. In private, however, he acts differently – being as righteous as the tzaddik, without setting an example that might be too extreme for others to follow. The yashar leads. The tzaddik is reclusive, serving Hashem in privacy.
David Hamelech and Yonasan, son of Shaul Hamelech, represented the paradigmatic friendship between two people. Unfortunately, Shaul had issues with David (through no fault of David). It was thus necessary, to distance themselves from one another. David asked Yonasan to give him a sign when his father was out to kill him. Yonasan replied that he would go to the field where David was hiding and practice archery. If he told his attendant, ‘‘Behold, the arrows are behind you,’’ it was a sign that David should lech, go – ki shilachacha Hashem, for this is a sign that ‘‘Hashem has sent him away’’ (Shmuel I:20:22). Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, zl, questioned the use of the word lech, go. When one is escaping, when he is (so to speak) running for his life, he should be told to b’rach, run – not lech, go.
The Rosh Yeshivah explained the text in order to impart a valuable life lesson to us. Brach, run, implies that one is running away from something. Lech, go, means that one is going towards a destination. David was being told, ‘‘You are on a shlichus, mission, from Hashem. The Almighty is taking you by the hand and accompanying you on this mission.’’ This was the Rosh Yeshivah’s message when he, together with his brother-in-law and co-Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe, Horav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zl, arrived in Cleveland.
