31 May PARASHAT BAMIDBAR: IS IT WORTH IT?

The Torah in Parashat

Bamidbar tells of the role

assigned to the Leviyim to

transport the Mishkan

(Tabernacle) when Beneh

Yisrael traveled. We read how the Kohanim were

responsible for designating the Leviyim for their

individual roles, such that each and every Levi

knew precisely which item he needed to carry

during travel. The Midrash comments that this

was necessary because the Leviyim would fight

over the privilege of carrying the most sacred

item – the Aron (ark). Each Levi vied for the

opportunity to transport the Aron which

contained the two tablets and upon which the

Divine Presence resided. This resulted in violent

and even fatal clashes among the Leviyim, and

Hashem therefore instructed the Kohanim to

appoint each Levi to a particular role, so each one

would know his job and the fighting would stop.

The Mesilat Yesharim (chapter 20) cites this

Midrash amidst his discussion of “Mishkal

Ha’hasidut” – the “scale of piety.” He explains

that there is certainly great value in “Hasidut,” in

going beyond the strict requirements of Halacha

and taking upon oneself additional measures of

piety. A child who truly loves his father will not

just obey his father’s wishes, but also do what he

feels will make his father happy. Similarly, if we

are truly devoted to the Almighty, we will do not

only what He demands of us, but even more.

However, the Mesilat Yesharim warns, extreme

care must be taken when accepting upon

ourselves additional measures of “Hasidut” to

ensure that these measures are indeed achieving

their desired goal. Very often, such measures

have adverse “side effects,” and we need to think

long and hard whether the pious act in question is

truly worth the undesirable consequences. Of

course, when it comes to our strict Halachic

requirements, we must fulfill our obligations

regardless of what this entails. But when it comes

to “Hasidut,” we must weight our actions on the

“Mishkal Ha’hasidut”; we must weigh their value

against the adverse effects they may cause, and

then determine whether they are indeed “pious”

and worth the consequences.

The Leviyim genuinely sought to fulfill the great

Misva of transporting the Aron, but their desire

for this privilege led them to fight with and harm

other people. If this is the result of their attempts

to carry the Aron, then this pious act fails the

“Mishkal Ha’hasidut.” Quite simply, it is not

worth it. There is no question that we should not

be taking upon ourselves voluntary measures of

piety if this causes fighting and discord.

It is told that Rav Yisrael Salanter was once seen

using a small amount of water for Netilat

Yadayim, just enough to fulfill the strict Halachic

requirement. The onlookers were puzzled, as the

Gemara speaks of the value in using copious

amounts of water, and how it brings wealth. (The

word “Mayim” – “water” – has been viewed as an

acrostic for “Maleh Yadenu Mi’birchotecha” –

“fill our hands with Your blessings.”) They asked

the Rabbi why he used such a small amount of

water for this Misva, and he explained that the

water was brought to the meal by the elderly maid

who carried water on her back.

“Is it right for me to earn blessings on this

woman’s back?” the Rabbi rhetorically asked.

Rav Yisrael understood that the concern not to

overburden a hardworking housekeeper was far

more important than using large amounts water

beyond that which Halacha strictly requires.

Another story is told of the Hafetz Haim, who

once hosted guests for Friday night who were

astonished to see the Rabbi begin Kiddush as

soon as he returned from the synagogue, without

singing “Shalom Alechem.”

“The Rabbi does not sing ‘Shalom Alechem’ on

Friday night?” they asked.

“I know that you have not eaten all day,” the great

Sage explained. “The angels don’t need to eat, so

they can wait for ‘Shalom Alechem.’ But I should

not make you wait when you are hungry so I can

sing.”

There are many situations when we need to keep

this perspective in mind, and ensure to maintain

our priorities when measures that are not strictly

required can harm other people. Although one

brings great merit to a deceased parent’s soul by

leading the prayer services, one brings far greater

merit to the soul by allowing somebody else to

lead the service in the interest of avoiding

conflict. Similarly, Rav Avraham Pam would

instruct his students not to continue dancing after

a wedding when the parents and other guests

want to go home. As important as it is to dance

with the groom, as the hour gets late it is more

important to show sensitivity to those who need

to leave.

As valuable as it is to “carry the Aron,” to go

beyond our strict obligations to get close to

Hashem, we must always ensure that the extra

measures are truly worth it, and do not cause

more harm than good.