The letters sin and samech as well as ches and chof are interchangeable, due to their pronunciation. This reveals a beautiful connection between the words שמחה, joy and סמיכה, to rely or lean on. We say about R' Elazar
כדי הוא רבי אלעזר לסמוך עליו בשעת הדחק—that one can rely on him in times of emergency. The deeper idea is that there is a happiness and joy (שמחה) when you have someone or something solid to rely upon (לסמוך). When a person feels supported, there is inner calm and joy. Think about for example someone who moves from chutz laaretz to Eretz Yisrael. There is no comparison when they have family or friends who live there that they can rely upon.
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years and received semichah from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written thousands of Torah articles on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of ten books including the recently released “Astounding Torah Insights about the Human Body.” His writings, many of which have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Spanish and French, inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. His shiurim can be found on various websites including Kol Halashon’s. Rabbi Alt lectures, writes and teaches, and is passionate about inspiring Jews of all levels of observance.
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End of Parashas Vayakhel.
Eruvin 46a.
