THE BAIS MEDRASH SAVES US

THE BAIS MEDRASH SAVES US

By Roy S. Neuberger

“Since the day that the temple was destroyed, Hakodosh Baruch Hu has nothing in His world but the four amos of halacha.” (Berachos 8a)

This week the character of the Chumash changes from a narrative about the creation of Am Yisroel to a presentation of the halacha by which we live and through which the world is sustained.

Now we enter the bais medrash. 

Here the yetzer hara begins its war. It is significant that Amalek attacks just before we reach Har Sinai. The yetzer harahas no more central mission than to try to defeat our attempt to learn Torah, for Torah is “aitz chaim … a tree of life to those who grasp it!” (Mishlei 3:18)

The Chofetz Chaim used to say, “The evil inclination does not mind if a Jew fasts, weeps, and prays all day long, provided he does not study Torah!” (See Artscroll Bereishis, overview to Vayishlach, p. 1400)

Why is Torah the supreme object of the Satan’s attention? Obviously, if our most tenacious enemy wants nothing more than to keep us away from Torah, this in itself indicates the centrality of Torah. In the words of Chazal, “Torah protects forever….” (Sotah 21a)

In Mitzraim, the necromancers thought they could replicate and control the first makkos. But quickly, Hashem made it clear that they were powerless. Their sense of powerlessness increased with each makka, until makkos bechoros made it clear that the world is orchestrated from Above by a Power which manifests obvious will and intention.

Thus, Paroh’s servants said to their master, “Send out the men that they may serve Hashem, their G-d! Do you not yet know that Egypt is lost?” (Shemos 10:7)

Today, a similar realization is coming over the world. The makkos we are experiencing in this generation are becoming so powerful that mankind cannot help acknowledging the Existence of Hashem. When the Industrial Revolution began, man felt that he was going to rule the world. Now, like Paroh’s advisors, many people are coming to believe that the world is beyond man’s control.

Witness recent events: 

• Wildfires have catastrophically altered the flora and fauna of Australia. 
• World water levels are rising. CBS news says, “Because of climate change, [Venice] is drowning.”
• The Coronavirus is causing worldwide panic. 

Recently, a Michigan hunter told us that deer are dying by the hundreds because of unseasonably warm weather causing an unprecedented infestation of ticks and fleas. Cold-water fish are sick and inedible.

Many people are despairing, but we know the Geulah Shelemah is near, and we are holding tightly to the Tree of Life. ToMitzraim, the makkos were the sign of death; to Am Yisroel, lehavdil, they were the door to Har Sinai, where we received the Torah which we studied under our Rebbe, Moshe Rabbeinu, as we traveled through Midbar Sinai. 

May Avinu Malkainu soon rescue us and lead us in peace to Eretz Yisroel, where we will dwell eternally in the presence of the Bais Hamikdosh and our redeemer, Moshiach ben Dovid!

The Bais Medrash

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Roy Neuberger, author and public speaker, can be reached at roy@2020vision.co.il.

© Copyright 2020 by Roy S. Neuberger