RABBI BEN ZION SNEH
The Ribbono Shel Olam wants every Jew to be close to him. There are many gates through which we may enter the space in which we may achieve that closeness. Shoftim VeShotrim guard every entrance to that glorious place, but once you enter the palace, all the goodness of the world and all of its blessings, are open to you. Above all, the master key to this closeness is Yiras Shamayim. It opens every gate.
The Skulener Rebbe of Monsey related the following story from his father Zatzal. Once a Skulener chasid approached the Rebbe asking for a segulah for Parnassah. The Rebbe, with his holy eyes, was able to see that that man needed help in Yiras Shamayim. He told him to say Parshas Hayir’ah every day. “Perhaps the Rebbe didn’t understand. Should I say Parshas Hamon instead? ( a well-known segulah for parnassa?)”
The Rebbe said, “The pasuk says ‘Nosein Teref Leyirai’av’ - Hashem gives sustenance to those who have Yiras Shamayim.” Yiras Shamayim opens up the gates of Parnasa as well! Having Yiras Shamayim is, as the Gemara says, totally in our hands. Everything comes from Hashem except for the ability to be a Yerei Shamayim. That decision rests totally in our own hands, but we must be dedicated to achieving it.
The Midrash says that as an extra bonus for achieving yiras shamayim on our own - Hashem gives us many great and powerful gifts. Among them, parnassah, nachas, health, and wisdom. In reward for seeing the goodness of Hashem, Hashem sees to it that we have what we need.
There is much pain in our world today. Many of us have challenges that we must overcome on a daily basis. But Hashem wants us to look at the big picture. This glimpse of Ein Sof, the infinite light of His truth, the literal meaning of Yiras Shamayim- a knowing “look at the heavens” enables us to receive even more goodness than we could imagine. This year brought many challenges to Klal Yisroel. May the coming year bring good news to all of us and may we see the realization of our hopes and prayers.
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
