”Shalom, Yoni! How was school today?“
”Not so good.“
“Oy vey, Yoni. I am sorry to hear that. What happened?“
”Do you remember the test that I studied so hard for last week?“
“The one on Chumash Parashas Va’eira?“
“Yes, that’s the one. I studied and reviewed my hardest, at least seven hours.“
”That’s great, Yoni.“
“It might sound great, but I only got a 75 on the test. I was so disappointed. My friend Sruli told me that he only studied for two hours, and he got a 95. What can I do, Abba? I’ll never be as good as Sruli.“
“Yoni, dear, I understand how you feel. Come, let me give you a big hug. Everyone wants to get the best grade in the class. However, you should know something. You did just fine. I’ll even bring you a proof from this week’s parasha.“
”Really? Show me, Abba.“
”Look at this verse, ’This was Aharon and Moshe ...’ (Shemos 6:26). The Torah is listing all of the sons and grandsons of Yaakov Avinu. Rashi takes note that the Torah mentions Aharon’s name before Moshe. This is not unusual. In many places, Moshe is mentioned first, and in many places, Aharon is mentioned first. Why? To teach us that they carried equal weight (as far as their spiritual level).“
“That is surprising. Our teacher said that Moshe was the Prince of all prophets, the only one who spoke with Hashem face to face. How could Aharon be on the same level?“
“Excellent, Yoni. Rav Moshe Feinstein is astounded by the very same question. See, you know the Chumash better than you think.“
”Thank you, Abba. What is Rav Moshe’s answer?“
“He explains that Aharon performed his service to Hashem perfectly. All of his days, he did what Hashem asked of him to the best of his abilities. One cannot do any better than that. His younger brother Moshe had greater abilities; therefore, more was demanded of him. Moshe did indeed do more than Aharon, however, they were equal in the sense that they both served Hashem with all of their koach (strength).“
”I see, Abba.“
“Therefore, I am telling you, Yoni dear, that you are the best. If you studied your hardest for that test, then you got 100%! You used all of your koach. You can’t do any better than that.“
“Abba, that makes me feel good. However, the other boys get all the glory.“
“My dear Yoni, listen to what Rav Moshe says. After 120 years, in the Olam HaEmes (World of Truth), we will see that our world is upside down. Some of those who are on top over here are low over there. And some of the people who are perceived as low over here are on top over there.“
”Why, Abba?“
“Those who tried their hardest are really on top. They may not have scored the highest on the test, but they really got 100% in their avodas Hashem. Others who scored very well on test may be very intelligent. They may not need to use all of their abilities to get a perfect grade. Therefore, they are not serving Hashem with 100% of their abilities. In the Olam HaEmes, they did not get a 100%. Therefore, they are not on top.“
”Amazing, Abba. So I really did get 100%.“
“Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Yoni. You really are the best, and I’m very proud of you.“
RABBI SIMCHAH GOFFMAN OHR.EDU
