Hashgachahh Pratis in the Sefarim Hakedoshim
In Parshas Yisro we learn about how Yisro arrived in the desert. “And Yisro heard” – Rashi asks: What did Yisro hear? He heard about Krias Yam Suf and the war with Amalek.
Many commentators question Rashi’s words here, because the Torah testifies that Yisro heard all that Hashem had done for Moshe and Am Yisrael. He heard about the ten makkos, about how they left Mitzrayim, how they received the mann, and Miriam’s well. If so, why does Rashi choose to focus only on Krias Yam Suf and the war with Amalek?
The answer is that there is a great principle hidden here: When the Torah tells us that Yisro “heard,” it is not referring to merely receiving information, but to a deep understanding. Yisro, who thought about what he heard, discovered an interesting spiritual secret: that whenever there is a great revelation of Hashem, such as Krias Yam Suf, when even a maidservant saw tremendous revelations, Amalek immediately appears and tries to “cool them off,” confuse them, and create a war. Yisro understood that these two things always come together.
This principle accompanies us during the most exalted spiritual moments.
For example, when a person marries off his children, it is a great eis ratzon, a time when a new bayis ne’eman is being established. This is a great time to daven for the young couple: for a binyan adei ad, for a house established on the precepts of the holy Torah, for the couple to have righteous children. At this critical moment, the Heavens are open and all the tefillos are accepted.
And specifically at such a time, the “war with Amalek” begins. The yetzer come with a gamut of silly distractions, with claims that one should invest a lot in the hall, the band, the food, the flowers and other props, with the claim that “a wedding comes once in a lifetime.”
This is the time to stop and remember: Yes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; and a true opportunity demands spiritual investment, so that we will be able to come to this great day with a focus on the main thing, and so that we will be able to daven with a clear mind from the depths of our heart for the success of this home, with all the silly distractions put to the side.
May Hashem help us all to marry off our children with inner joy and much bounty, and may we be zocheh to much nachas and doros yesharim.
Excerpts from the popular shiur by Harav Hatzaddik R’ Beirish Shneebalg shlit”a
