03 Sep WHAT’S IN YOUR KNAPSACK?

It’s that time of year. Time to stock up on
school supplies and get the kids’
knapsacks ready. It’s not just the children
who have knapsacks, but as adults we too
have our bags – be it a work bag, a
crossbody, a shopper, or even a knapsack.
It’s time to pause and think – what are we
packing into our bags?
In this week’s parsha, Shoftim, we learn
about the commandments pertaining to a
Jewish king during the time of monarchy
in Eretz Yisroel. “V’chosav lo es mishnai
HaTorah hazos, “And he (the king) shall
write for himself two copies of the
Torah… V’hoyso imo, And it shall be
with him.”(Devarim 17:18-19) Rashi
cites the Talmud, which teaches that one
of the scrolls remains in the king’s
personal treasury, while the second Torah
would accompany him at all times.
The Chumash continues, “And he (the
king) shall read from it (the Torah scroll)
all the days of his life, in order to fear

HaShem, to guard all the words of the
Torah and its decrees, to perform them”
(Devarim 17:19)
A king of Am Yisroel was obligated to
have not one, but two Torah scrolls. One
to treasure at home, and a second that
traveled with him on all his journeys and
duties as king. A Torah scroll to remind
him that while he is in a position of power
and honor, he remains at all times a
servant of HaShem and His Torah.
What an important life lesson for all of
us. If a Jewish king needs reminders –
how much more so do we. In our own
small way, we can learn from malchei
Yisroel, the kings of Israel.
Just as the king was bound to keep a
Torah scroll in his treasury, so too, should
we be sure to create our own treasury.
What can be more precious, more
valuable than a personal Torah library. I
remember my mother a”h saying that my
father’s seforim, his holy books, were the
most beautiful decoration in our home.
We are gifted in so many ways, that we

don’t even realize it. Today,
there is a plethora of Torah
books on virtually any subject,
translated into so many
languages, and on so many
levels of understanding. Books
on Chumash, Tanach, Mishna,
Talmud, halacha and hashkafa,
and mussar. And so much for
the young readers as well. The
gift of building a Torah library,
a true treasury in our home is
attainable.
A Torah accompanied the king
wherever he went. A cue to us
– we are HaShem’s people.
Whether it’s going about our daily
routine, a business trip, or a vacation,
pack your bag. Make sure you take along
a siddur, a Tehillim, or even a little
chumash. Don’t leave home without it.
Our Torah, it’s mitzvos and sacred values
go with us. Whether on a train, a bus, or a
plane, I often see some with an open
Talmud, chumash or other sefer, utilizing
their time to study. For others, it’s a
siddur or a Tehillim, or a Jewish-themed
book.
Pack your bags. Remember, we are
HaShem’s emissaries, an am kodosh, a
holy people, taking our Torah with us.
As the Torah accompanies us, it’s
teachings become one with us.
My friend Shani (not her real name) was
looking forward to hosting her parents
for Shabbos. She busied herself with
preparations, wanting everything to be
perfect. And it was. She prepared
delicious homemade meals, and the
family enjoyed spending around the
Shabbos table, singing zemiros together.
It wasn’t until after the seudah was over,
that Shani’s father realized that he had
left his vital heart medications at home.
Home was not walking distance. Not
knowing how to proceed, Shani walked
over to her rabbi’s home to seek out his
advice.
After hearing her out, the rabbi gave her
clear and concise instructions. She
should find a non-Jew to drive her to her
parents’ home, accompany him into the
house to retrieve the meds, have the
non-Jew carry the meds out of the house
and into car, and then drive her home.
Shani accepted the advice but wondered
where she would find someone at that
late hour.
HaShem helped. As she was walking

around, she met a family friend, who
helped her find someone that could get
the job done. He spotted someone driving
down the block, whom he recognized
from the neighborhood. After flagging
him down, Shani asked him if he wanted
to make a quick hundred. She explained
the problem, and he was only too happy
to be of assistance, understanding that he
would be paid after Shabbos.
The medications were retrieved, and with
her driver, Shani was on the way home. In
accordance with the rabbi’s directives,
the driver respectfully opened the car
door for Shani, and even carried the meds
into her house. Shani thanked him
profusely, reminding him to please return
after Shabbos so she could pay him for
his kindness.
But he never came. Shani waited another
day, a week, then two weeks, but he was
a no show.
A word is a word, and Shani knew that
she had to keep hers. She remembered
that the driver mentioned living in an
apartment building on a certain block.
She went to the building, and after several
inquiries, was directed to his apartment.
When he opened the door and saw her,
his first words were “I knew you would
come find me.” What a powerful
statement. To him, being Jewish meant
being honest, moral and keeping one’s
word.
To carry the Torah with you means not
only in your bag, but in your heart, and
with your actions. To be a Torah Jew no
matter where life takes you, no matter the
circumstances.
As we enter Chodesh Elul, let’s remember
to always carry the Torah with us. While
we need the Torah at home, its
responsibilities follow us on the road as
well.