| The Torah Connection: Lechem Mishneh: Broad and Deep |
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| Written by Rabbi Yaakov Shlomo Weinberg |
The Mohn[1] “For tzadikim (the righteous) the mohn came to the doors of their homes. The middle class (in deeds) had to go out somewhat to receive theirs. The wicked had to search far to get it.”[2] This is an example regarding parnassah (a livelihood).[3]
ShidduchimRegarding shidduchim (finding a spouse), concerning the avos (our forefathers), Yitzchok did not (seemingly) lift a finger to find his shidduch. He went out to daven Mincha (afternoon services) and there she was. All the work was done by others. On the other hand, our father Yaakov had to work hard and long for his shidduch(im) with many tribulations. Infinite CategoriesThe above two examples are a guide regarding various aspects of life. There are an infinite number of categories, and aspects to life – health or otherwise; smart or otherwise; wealth or otherwise; one’s relations to his parents, spouse, children, friends, etc. The general rule is that no one finds everything waiting by his door and no one finds everything far away and difficult to get to. Rather, certain things are by the door (he has a knack for them), certain things are far out (he’s all thumbs regarding them), and most things are somewhere in the middle ground (some closer, some farther). Broad or DeepThe Mashgiach zt”l related that his experience had been that those people who had photographic memories were on the other hand, usually, not deep thinkers. Als Bai EinemThe above can all be summed up by the Yiddish expression, “Als bai einem is nisht doh by keinem” (all by one is there by none). It even rhymes in English. [1] The mohn was food that came down from heaven every morning, except Shabbos, in the desert. The Jews lived off the mohn the entire forty years that they were in the desert. [2] Yoma 75a [3] Although regarding the mohn it was dependent on one’s righteousness, in general one’s livelihood is not necessarily only dependent on that factor. |