Spark of Jewish Experience

          Anger is terrible; anger is horrifying! Our Sages described countless times in our holy scriptures the shortcomings and the consequences suffered by a person who becomes angry or enraged. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz z’l believes the most striking and eye-raising effect of anger is that one loses all of ones’ wisdom and spiritual stature, an example we find in this week’s parsha, where Moshe forgot the law as a result of being angry (bamidbar31,14).
The Or Hachaim explains that Moshe had known the laws of mourning just minutes before he became angry, and then forgot them. This aspect of the effect of anger is puzzling. We can readily understand how anger affects a person so that after the fact he is of a lesser stature and wisdom then before. But how does anger make one’s previously acquired knowledge disappear? A minute ago he gave over a lesson teaching two plus two equals four, how can he now forget it? How does one lose wisdom which one already possesses?
The answer is that the mechanics of Torah wisdom works differently than other wisdoms. Other forms of wisdom do not relate to the personality or character of its possessor. A person may be wicked or obnoxious, and yet retain a storehouse of knowledge and wisdom. Not so with Torah wisdom. Torah is based on character development and it feeds the individual the sensitivity towards others and towards himself, hovering around the person until he internalizes it. Everyone hears the same message, but it doesn’t come through the pipes the same way to each. Apparently, the message received is tailor-made for that individual’s understanding and unique personality.
Dr. Goldman, the psychologist of Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim, says a fundamental aspect of life is intellectual growth; however not by feeding a computer. We are not some logical emotionless Vulcan circuit machine, like Mr. Spock, who will solve and rattle off any difficult equations backwards and forwards. Apparently, one should focus more on how to control his emotional nature and to be ready for every situation he’s confronted; this is a sign of strong character. By working on himself, a person’s internal vessel can hold and absorb the Torah with the proper character traits, which he developed through Torah study.
However, when there is a flaw in the personality, like anger, it chases away the Torah wisdom and spirituality. A person who becomes unfit to retain Torah, loses it; even the knowledge he already acquired leaves him. It’s not the knowledge itself that is affected but rather the individual that ceases to posses it.
Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz says, we can explain this further by drawing a parallel from the acquisition of prophesy to the acquisition of Torah. When Eliyahu, the prophet, ascended to the heavens in a fiery chariot, his disciples came to Elisha (who was very close to Eliyahu) and suggested that they search for the missing Eliyahu. Rashi (one of the mainstream commentaries) asks, ‘is it possible that these same prophets, who had foretold that Eliyahu would be taken, would forget as to his whereabouts? This teaches us that from the day Eliyahu was taken, spirituality left them. Rashi asks how did they forget that which they already knew? The answer is, a person must be a prophet in order to know these things. If he falls in stature, he no longer knows these facts of which he was aware only yesterday.
This is true of prophecy and it is true of Torah as well. It is the knowledge that must be integrated into itself into a person. But if a character becomes blemished, his Torah will vanish as well.

             It was extremely disturbing to see pictures taken by a store video surveillance camera of a lost boy with a knapsack on his back walking the streets of Boro Park; knowing that a little while after, he will be killed. How can any human being do such an act? How can he face his maker, when the time comes? I’m ashamed that he’s considered part of the human race. If you ask his neighbors, most will agree they’re not surprised he did such an act. They considered him a creep and would instruct their kids to stay away from him.

            Everything in life is a learning experience and there are some valuable lessons one can learn from this horrifying episode. Firstly, appreciate what G-d has given you. As the father of the murdered boy said at his son’s funeral, sobbing, ‘G-d gave me a gift for nine years’.
Another crucial lesson: in every neighborhood, in every synagogue; in every social arena, in the workplace, lies a creep just like that one. If you would think about it for a moment, we all have encountered creeps, regardless of the gender, they’re everywhere. But the question lies, what are we doing about it?
We asked the opinion of Doctor Goldman, the psychologist of Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim. Surprisingly, I thought he would chastise the communities for not doing enough against these problematic individuals. However, he only suggested avoiding these people as much as possible; even a Shabbat invite should not be extended to them. People might say Shabbat is the exception; Shabbat hospitality is supreme (Shabbat invite is the ultimate kindness and one can reach great heights spiritually with showing hospitality). But, he said do not give them any opportunity to get friendly with your family. One should give them money if they ask, but that’s it.
Dr. Goldman said there are quite a number of emotionally damaged individuals; however, 99% of them are pathetic and harmless. So I asked what about that 1%? One never knows when the loose cannon will go off? He mentioned that although extensive therapy will help, it’s enormously expensive, and besides, to get them to commit to enter a mental facility is practically impossible.
The doctor said this was a bizarre and unique case. We should teach our kids never talk to strangers whether they’re wearing a kippa or no kippa. The good doctor was more concerned with child molestation by authority figures such as teachers and counselors. Although most are good people, there is the minority, and parents have to be careful and a little more aware what happens in school. Unfortunately, a minority of the authoritative figures likes to prey on helpless defenseless children and the dangerous thing is that they look and act perfectly normal. We have to educate our kids and make them aware of the possible evils , which are lurking in our midst.

             The notion that New Yorkers are unfriendly is something I always thought was an unfair description. We are warm and friendly, but for the most part, cautious. It’s very important to be cautious. We should make sure to implement this New York unfriendliness to our children; better safe than sorry!!

Rabbi Avi Matmon