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By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin
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.
Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov!
Chaya Sora
Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]
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
