Learning from the Events of the World
Everything a yid sees, experiences, or hears in this world carries with it a lesson, a message that he must apply to his avodas Hashem. The Maggid of Mezritch, zt"l, taught that even when there is a war between nations, there is a critical lesson that needs to be applied to the avodah of the yidden.
Therefore, when you see a more powerful, capable, larger army of a world power, being defeated by an army of a smaller nation with far fewer resources, it is appropriate to contemplate and ponder: what is the lesson from these events that can be applied to your avodas Hashem.
Napoleon
In 1812, Napoleon had conquered a large portion of Europe. However, it was not enough for him. Drunk on his desire to rule over more and more nations, he set his sights on Russia.
The opinions of the tzadikim of that generation were split. Some felt they should pray for the success of Napoleon while others felt they needed to side with the Tzar. At the root of their disagreement was a fundamental question: should the physical or spiritual well-being of European Jewry take precedence? Napoleon would allow the Jews to live in relative peace, however, the culture of his movement would threaten the Torah communities demanding reformation and "enlightenment". On the other hand, the Russian Tzar, who , despite the physical risks, was far less interested in reforming the Torah lifestyle within the Jewish communities.
When they sought guidance from the great tzadik, Reb Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, zt"l, he replied that he doesn't want to say an opinion on which ruler to pray for. However, the Rebbe noted, that if it would go on the natural way, it seems that the French to loose.
The Rebbe explained: The French soldiers were being sent to wage an unprovoked war on foreign lands in a far off country. They didn't even know the reason why they were there. Therefore, they would fight without passion or even a desire to win. The Russians, on the other hand, would be defending their own lands from a foreign invasion that was coming to take what was theirs. They would be fighting with passion and self-sacrifice. They will desire to win at any and all costs. Therefore, the smaller Russian army was sure to defeat the larger, more equipped French.
Reb Bunim's words proved truthful, when the Russians, fueled with a passion to defend their homeland, beat back the French invasion.
When tzadikim heard the words of Reb Bunim, they noted that we need to learn a lesson for our avodas Hashem from the war between the French and Russians: A yid needs to understand and think about the meaning behind the mitzvos, to learn the reasons behind the mitzvos, and, through that process, awaken a deep desire and passion for performing the mitzvos. That desire and passion would help the yidden defeat their eternal and well quipped adversary: the yetzer harah.
This lesson is even more applicable today when we see the yidden, the soldiers in Hashem's army, in constant battle with an ever increasingly powerful yetzer harah. In those days, you need to spend even more time learning the fundamental ideas behind Torah and mitzvos, gain a deeper appreciation for your relationship with Hashem, so that you can awaken a passion deep inside your being, that can expel the temptations of the yetzer harah.
Not Just the How But the Why
There are many people who are struggling with their Yiddishkeit, who have questions about their Judaism. They seek answers. However, in some cases, they are told by some people to stop asking questions and just believe. However, they don't want to be part of a religion that doesn't allow questions or that answers every difficult question with, "just have faith." Therefore, disillusioned and unengaged, they simply live a lifestyle that is governed by the desires of their heart.
This is a mistake. Yiddishkeit requires asking questions as it says, "know the God of your father and worship Him." (Divrei Hayamim I 28:9). You have an obligation to know and understand Yiddishkeit. You cannot accomplish that without asking questions.
That being said, a person is commanded to observe Torah and perform all the mitzvos even if he hasn't been able to learn the reasoning behind them yet. That process takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. A yid cannot wait for that. He must perform the mitzvos with a sense of urgency fueled by a simple emunah, faith.
Analogous, when a person is ill and a doctor prescribes a particular course of treatment, they don't hesitate and try to understand the reasoning behind the treatment. They comply immediately because their health, their very life, might be at risk. So too, the mitzvos is your "course of treatment" to strive in this world spiritually and physically. You cannot wait to be fluent in all of their reasons. You must immediately begin your treatments, performing the mitzvos.
However, Hashem doesn't want you to remain in that stage forever. He wants you to learn the deeper meaning behind the mitzvos, to understand the "why". From that knowledge comes an intense love, desire and joy in fulfilling the mitzvos.
You Need the Flavor
The seforim explain that the Hebrew word "Taam" has two meanings. Firstly, it can mean "reason". Secondly, it can mean "taste", a flavor. Through understanding the "taam", the reason for the mitzvos, you can have a "taste" and "flavor" for them.
A person eats food to survive, even when it is not tasty. However, when the food is delicious and has an incredible taste, they look forward to that meal. They will enjoy the food. And they will eat more food than they actually need to survive. So too, when a yid understands the reasons for the mitzvos, when he focuses on what a mitzvah accomplishes in this world as well as the upper worlds, they will look forward to performing mitzvos, performing them with a true joy. They will look forward to doing even more than what they are obligated to do.
Questions...And Faith
Some people are worried that when a yid focuses on understanding the reasons for the mitzvos, he will abandon a mitzvah which he cannot understand. But, the Bnei Yissachor explains this clearly in Derech Pekudecha (Mitzvah 21) as in his other seforim, that the sages have taught, that you must seek the reasons for the mitzvos, while keeping in mind that every mitzvah has a few reasons, and it is impossible for you to know every reason behind every mitzvah. Therefore, you cannot refrain from performing a mitzvah because you do not understand it or its reasons.
When my ancestor, Reb Yitzchak Issac of Kamarana, zt"l, was writing his book on the reasons for the mitzvos titled "Otzer HaChaim ", there were some who tried to dissuade him from revealing the secrets behind the mitzvos. However, he did not listen, and he published his work, explaining that we have a responsibility to understand the reasons behind the mitzvos.
The Theme of Pesach
We can now understand why there are so many traditions and behaviors at the Pesach Seder instituted to inspire the children to ask questions. You need to train your children to ask questions. You need to teach them that there are answers to those questions. This obligation applies to every child even the one who "does not know how to ask".
This is also why we answer each of the questions at the Seder with an explanation of the mitzvos performed at the Seder like matzah and marror.
This is the fundamental idea behind the Seder, the start of the "Holiday of Faith" that celebrates the transformation of the Jewish people from a nation to Hashem's nation. On this night, we teach the yidden this foundational concept in Yiddishkeit: you need to have faith while deepening your understanding of the mitzvos, everyone according to their ability.
Through this understanding, you will be able to serve Hashem with a passion and joy and through that joy merit a life filled with blessings, successes, and true happiness. Amen.
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