Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari
Shalom,
In Parashat Pinchas we are taught the order of the offerings for the whole year: the daily offerings in the morning and afternoon, the Shabbat Musaf and Rosh Chodesh Musaf, etc… Our Hachamim teach us that the Tefilot correspond to the offerings and the prophet (Hoshea 14,3) teaches us “we shall pay with our mouths the cows (offerings)†through the prayers.
The great Sadigh the “Ohev Yisrael,’ the famous Apta Rav, had a Kollel of great Torah scholars who studied Torah diligently in his Bet Midrash and he would see to all their financial needs as well. Rav Svi was among the top scholars there. One day during the tefillah Rav Svi reached the special tefillah for parnassah (livelihood) which he would recite daily. He thought to himself that this tefila was probably made for laymen and businessmen who need buyers and clients for their success. I have a secure source of living from the Rav why should I have a need for this prayer?
A few days passed and it was time for all to get their stipends from the Rav. As he opened the door to his room everyone lined up and one by one each scholar got his envelope from the holy hand of the “Ohev Yisrael.†At a certain point the cash ran out; it happened to be the turn for Rav Svi. The Rav went back to the room and came back with more cash and continued handing out the stipend… starting from the person after Rav Svi in the line. Needless to say Rav Svi was shocked like everyone else. It was as if he was smacked across his face by the Sadigh. When the Rav finished handing out the stipends and was about to go back to his room, Rav Svi built up the courage and asked, “Forgive me Rebbi, I did not get a portion…†the Rav turned around and stared at him and said, “Please come to the room.†Everyone present was surprised. They all knew Rav Svi to be one the best in Torah study and character. Did the Rav see something wrong and decide not to support him anymore? The most confused was Rav Svi himself. He thought to himself “What did the Holy Rav see wrong with me? Why did I deserve such thing?â€
“Sit please†said the Rav in a very kind tone. Now Rav Svi was very confused. What’s happening here first I feel humiliated and now respect? “I called you in so you can explain something to me†said the Rav, “It never happened until now that I have run out money in my hand when giving the stipends to the scholars; today was a first. And it never happened that I forgot one of the scholars, especially one of the best ones here! Today it happened for the first time. Maybe you can shed light on this for me and explain what happened?†Rav Svi had no idea. The Apta Rav urged him to think, something must have happened to close off the livelihood for him!! And then he remembered…the passing through he had done days before during tefillah, that this prayer is not meant for him because he felt secure…