By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

This Shabbos, we read Parshas Pikudei, completing the second book of the Torah, Sefer Shemos.

The final pasuk of the parsha tells us of the anan, the Divine cloud that hovered over the Mishkan. When the cloud would lift, it was a sign for Bnei Yisroel to continue their journey onward. The cloud would direct and protect them by day, while a pillar of fire would be with them at night.

The Torah tells us that both the cloud and the fire were “l’einei kol Beis Yisroel, before the eyes of the entire House of Yisroel”. (Shemos 40:38)

Kol Beis Yisroel…. The Chumash uses the phrase Beis Yisroel, the House of Yisroel. It would have been sufficient to say kol Yisroel, all of Yisroel. What is the significance of the added word beis, house. We know that each word in the Torah is there for a reason, that here are no extras. Each word comes with its message.

We have come full circle. Both the opening and closing pesukim of Shemos include the word beis, house. Sefer Shemos opens with Yaakov bringing his family down to Mitzayrim… “ish u’beiso, each man and his household” (Shemos 1:1) Additionally, we find the word beis used when Bnei Yisroel are given instructions for the korban Pesach, the Pesach sacrifice. It is to be eaten “seh la’bayis, one for a household… And if the household is too small for a lamb, he should join together with his neighbor, one who is next to his bayis, his home.” (Shemos 12:3-4)

We see the importance of the Jewish home, the Jewish family. Yaakov knew his children and his descendants will have a long exile ahead of them in Egypt. By bringing down his family, “ish u’beiso, each man and his household” he was giving them the key to survival in the galus of Mitzrayim, as well as in all future exiles. A strong bayis, a strong home. A message underscored by HaShem in his instructions regarding the korban Pesach. And again, as the nation was on its journey to Eretz Yisroel.

This past week, on 20 Adar, was the yahrtzeit of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l. Not only was Rav Shlomo Zalman a Torah giant, but a giant of chesed as well. The Rav had a custom of making time before Rosh HaShanah to visit a nursing home and spent time with its elderly and infirm residents. As he himself aged and became weaker, the Rav found it challenging to be in shul for the extra-long Selichos said on Erev Rosh HaShanah. Yet, despite his lack of strength, he never gave up on visiting the nursing home. Rav Shlomo Zalman explained that “HaShem knows my weakened condition, but residents of the home wouldn’t know why I missed visiting them on Erev Rosh HaShanah.”

The Rav made room in his heart for all of Am Yisroel. It is no wonder that over 300,000, from all walks of life, came to his levaya. Not just his talmidim and those who were privileged to be enlightened by his vast knowledge of Torah, but people who were touched by his actions, people who learned from his kind, peaceful ways, even if they didn’t know him personally.

This Shabbos, as we complete Sefer Shemos, we all rise in unison and call out Chazak, Chazak, v’Nischazeik, Be strong, Be Strong, and May we be strengthened. How uplifting it is to be part of the entire congregation in reciting these words together. Words of encouragement, words of prayer. We say v’Nischazeik, may “we” be strengthened, as one nation, one Beis Yisroel. We daven that HaShem give us continued strength to learn and do more. Physical strength, emotional strength, spiritual strength. The Sefer Taamei Haminhagim quotes the Avudraham, that the source of saying chazak is taken from HaShem telling Yehoshua upon his concluding his reading of the Torah and assuming the leadership of the nation, chazak v’ameitz, be strong and courageous. (Yehoshua 1:6)

To find ways to strengthen ourselves, we can turn to Pirkei Avos, which extols the virtues of Torah (study), avodah (prayer) and gemilus chassodim (acts of lovingkindness). Three paths to engage in by Beis Yisroel for Beis Yisroel.

Torah – Study. We are living in special times. Yeshivos as filled with chavrusos, learning partners. Chavrusa, taken from the word, chaver, meaning a friend. By learning together with others, we become true friends. Friendships that go way beyond the study halls, impacting not just ourselves but our entire family. Additionally, we have seen a growth of Torah-mates, people making time lilmod u’lelamed, to learn and to teach.

Avodah – Prayer. As part of our tefillos, we daven for acheinu kol Beis Yisroel, our brothers, the entire House of Yisroel. To think of each and every Jew as part of your bayis. In the daily Amidah, many of the brachos we recite are in the plural – as refoeinu, HaShem, heal us; hashiveinu, HaShem, return us; shema tefilaseinu, HaShem, please listen to our prayers; and many more. Since October 7, so many have taken on reciting Tehillim, or extra Tehillim for Eretz Yisroel. So many have taken on the name of a soldier or hostage to daven for.

Gemilus Chassodim – Acts of Lovingkindness. We are a nation that cares and shares. That feels each other’s pain. When Yarden Bibas was sitting shiva, the line waiting to be menachem ovel, to express a few words of comfort, stretched around the block, and beyond. People just wanting to say, we’re thinking of you. You are part of our bayis. And, if your bayis is hurting, so is ours’.

It’s now before Pesach. So many find it difficult to bring in the Yom Tov with joy and an easy heart. Here too, we are nation that steps up to the plate. So many campaigns, in every community and shul, gathering funds to ensure that every bayis, every family will be able to sit at their seder table, celebrating the Yom Tov as it should be.

Mi k’amcha Yisroel, Who is like Your nation, Yisroel. We are truly a beis Yisroel. We are family.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov!

Chaya Sora

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas/In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l