Rabbi Efraim Zalman Margulis was the Rabbi in Brody. When a guest would come to the town and wanted to speak in Shul, he needed the permission of the town Rabbi.
One day a guest arrived in town, came over to the Rabbi and asked him to speak in the main Shul.
“What is your name,” asked the Rabbi?
“Shlomo Kluger.” (The world famous Rabbi Shlomo Kluger zt”l)
“And how can I help you?”
“I would like the Rabbi’s permission to speak in Shul.”
“Why?”
“I was a Rabbi in Kolkov and then in Yozef,” replied the guest. “As the Rabbi of Yozef there was a Shochet (slaughterer) who was not up to the Halachic standards so I dismissed him from his position. The townspeople turned against me so I became fed up of my Rabbinic position. I have come to Brody and would like to be a Rebbi for young kids but nobody knows me. So I would like the Rabbi’s permission to address the community, this way, hopefully, parents will begin to send their children to study by me.”
Rabbi Efraim Zalman gave him permission.
Rabbi Shlomo Kluger asked the town Rabbi if he would honor him by being present by his sermon. The Rabbi agreed.
It was Parshas Shlach and Rabbi Kluger gave an amazing speech, astounding the crowd with his brilliance and knowledge.
As he walked down from the pulpit he looked at the Rabbi who seemed very disturbed.
“Is everything ok,” asked Rabbi Shlomo? “Was there something wrong in my sermon?”
“It was brilliant,” replied the Rabbi, “so much so, that the listeners never noticed that according to your calculation there were twenty four spies not just twelve.”
“Sure,” replied Reb Shlomo, “the Yerushalmi (Sota 7-5) brings down that there were twenty four spies”
Parshas Shlach 5785
BS"D
By Rabbi Dovid Caro
The Passuk says ‘Ish echad ish echad lemate avosav’ – ‘one man, one man per tribe’. Rabbi Akiva says that since there is a double expression it means there were two per tribe. Tosfos (Sota 34.) explains that each tribe had a Nasi and each Nasi had an attendant.
The town Rabbi immediately remembered and added, “If so, you won’t be a Rebbi for the children, but one of the town’s lecturers.”
Now let us see. Sending a couple of spies is dangerous. But sending twenty for spies is basically suicidal. But even so a miracle occurred and they weren’t noticed.
Hashem allowed Klal Yisrael to send spies to check out Eretz Yisrael. He told Moshe to send important people so Moshe Rabbeinu sent the Nasi of every tribe. But who would look after these great Rabbis? Who would carry their bags? So Hashem told Moshe to send an attendant for each one.
But instead of being grateful the Meraglim failed and spoke badly about Eretz Yisrael.
And whilst we are busy criticizing the Meraglim let us look at ourselves.
How many attendants and helpers did Hashem give us and how much gratitude do we owe Hashem?
The Gemara tells us that an ox a day old is already considered an ox because it’s independent. However, a child gets so much dedicated care, as a baby and whilst growing up. Adam in Gan Eden had Malaachim roasting meat for him. In the desert the clouds of glory cleaned the clothing of the Jews and pressed them. Incidentally, nowadays those Malaachim that roast our food and clouds of glory that take of all our needs are called ‘Mummy’ and ‘Tatty’. And when we grow up and get married to our spouse, someone is busy supporting us, someone is cooking, baking, cleaning, washing up, sowing and lots more....
Do we recognize the kindness of Hashem for what He has given us? Do we have gratitude to our parents, teachers, spouses and siblings for all they have done for us. And so much more to Hashem for providing them?
