going home ... to yerushalayim: Reb Neuberger: VAYIKRA! AIYEKAH … WHERE ARE YOU?

19 March 2024

Reb Neuberger: VAYIKRA! AIYEKAH … WHERE ARE YOU?

AIYEKAH … WHERE ARE YOU?

I remember Charles Schumer as a young New York State Assemblyman. I was then Executive Director of Yeshiva Ateres Yisroel in Canarsie, Brooklyn, the cheder established by Rabbi Avraham ha Levi Jungreis zt”l, father of the late and renowned Rebbetzin Esther. Every year Mr. Schumer would come to address the graduates, exhorting them to achieve greatness in Torah. He was burning with energy and ambition. One year, with a broken leg, he climbed the long staircase with his crutches and hobbled up on stage. Energy and ambition have carried him far, and now he is Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

OY! I weep for our nation!

“Aiyekah!” Where are you, Charles Schumer! You have swallowed the poison! And now, from your lips flows the lies of our enemies, treachery before the Master of the Universe, hatred of your brethren. The world witnesses a Yid licking the dirt before the idols of fame and power.

There is another United States Senator whose name is Mitch McConnell. He is of Scotch-Irish descent (Wikipedia), not a child of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. He will be blessed by the Master of the Universe. He is not afraid to call evil “evil” and good “good.” He has no reason to stand up for the Nation of Torah … no reason except that his heart is good. He refuses to grovel in the filth.

There was a Jewish woman in Shushan ha Bira to whom Hashem gave“chein” in the eyes of the king. She did not want to live in the royal palace; she abhorred impurity with all her heart, but Hashem called upon her to save her people. And she arose.

Do you know how she saved Am Yisroel? I would say it is because she said three words: “U’k’asher avad’ti avad’ti … [I will come to the king, although it is unlawful] and, if I perish, I perish!” (Megillas Esther 4:16) She was not afraid to die for her people! She was not afraid to die for her G-d! She was not afraid to die for her Torah! So she bequeathed life to us forever! As the possuk says, “v’atem hadvaikim … you who cling to Hashem, your G-d, you are all alive today!” (Dvarim 4:4)

Last week, there was a demonstration in Teaneck, New Jersey. It took place outside an event at which land in Israel was being offered for sale. The haters’ slogans alleged that “stolen land” was being offered for sale.

About one thousand years ago, a rabbi was born in France who was named Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known to us today as “Rashi.” He illuminated the Written and Oral Torah. Rashi has held our hand throughout the millennia. He is the father of uncounted millions of Bnai Torah. Perhaps he had ruach hakodesh. His wisdom came from beyond this world.

Rashi’s first commentary on Chumash is known to every yeshiva boy and Bais Yaakov girl: “[Why does the Torah begin with the creation of the world? It should have begun with the commandment concerning Rosh Chodesh, which is the first commandment directed toward the Jewish People as a whole. But Hashem chose to begin the Torah with the creation of the universe] so that, if the nations of the world will say to Israel, ‘You are thieves, for you conquered the lands of the seven nations [who had inhabited the Land of Canaan]. Israel will say to them, ‘The entire earth belongs to Hakadosh Boruch Hu. He created it and He gave it to the one found proper in His eyes. By His wish He gave it to them and by His wish He took it from them and gave it to us!’” (Rashi on Beraishis 1:1)

Nations of the world, listen to the words of Rashi. Listen to the words of Torah.

Hashem made this world and He apportioned it to those who are deemed proper in His eyes. His Book is laid out before you. You all know what it says -- you – including the Children of Yishmoel and the Children of Esav! You all know what the Book says. You all know that Hashem gave this Land to the Children of Avraham, the Children of Yitzchak, the Children of Yaakov and their descendants forever.

The evil ones resemble Adam after the cheit, who “knew he was naked and he hid from Hashem.” Evil ones, you cannot hide from the Master of the Universe! Hashem sees you. He will call out, “Aiyeka … Where are you?” He will humble you. All evil will perish from the earth and the glory of G-d will shine upon us. On that day the world will be cleansed. As it says, “The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.” (Megillah 8:16)

May we soon see the day when the world is filled with light and evil is banished forever!