Stories Of Greatness

The following story took place a number of years ago in Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak. The famed mashpia, R’ Elimelech Biderman shlit’a, personally knows the family to whom this happened, and the story is well known in the community there.

The episode of the five daughters of Tzelafchad is mentioned two different times in the Torah: in Parshas Pinchos and Parshas Maasei. (Tzelafchad himself is also referenced in Parshas Shelach as the mekosheish eitzim.) A basic principle in the Torah is: “Biglal nashim tzidkaniyos nigalu avoseinu miMitzrayim – Because of the righteous women, our forefathers were redeemed from Egypt.”

The following story was told over by R’ Yitzchok Zilberstein shlit’a, who marvels at the greatness of a Jew to become a “partner” with Hakadosh Boruch Hu and merit tremendous z’chusim and even miracles on his behalf.

We find a seemingly similar occurrence with Avraham Avinu and with Bilaam, the wicked prophet. The Torah reports that each of them “arose early in the morning and saddled his donkey.” In Hebrew, the word yachavosh (יחבוש – saddled) is closely related to kibush (כיבוש – to conquer). Likewise, the word chamor (חמור – donkey) resembles chomer (חומר – physicality).

One person who was never intimidated by people of power and influence was the great Telsher Rosh HaYeshivah, R’ Mordechai Gifter zt”l. His passion for Torah was combined with his incredible common sense and practical view of the world. He learned this outlook and hashkafah in Telz, in Lithuania. He saw it in his father-in-law, R’ Zalman Bloch zt”l Hy”d, and the Roshei HaYeshivah, R’ Avraham Yitzchok Bloch zt”l Hy”d, and R’ Elya Meir Bloch zt”l.

Klal Yisroel sang a special Shirah upon learning of the hidden miracle Hashem performed for them as they passed through the mountains of Arnon. The Emorim lay in ambush, hoping to destroy the nation as they crossed the canyon, but Hashem caused the mountains on both sides to come together, crushing the would-be attackers and saving the Jewish people.