1. The Story of the Two Polish Rebbes
My father, may he rest in peace, used to tell a story about two Polish rebbes who were having a debate. Although it might seem a bit out of character, this is how the story goes. Each rebbe claimed to be the Had B’dorah—the one in the generation, the unique tzaddik—righteous person—of their time. Every generation is said to have such a tzaddik, and both rebbes insisted that this title belonged to them. One rebbe challenged the other: “How can we both be Had B’dorah? If I am the one, how can you also be the one?” The other replied that it’s possible for each to be unique in a different quality—one could be the greatest scholar, while another excels in righteousness. You don’t have to be singular in every aspect; each can be “the one” in their own area.2. Criticism from Above and Its Response
The conversation continued with one rebbe asking the other, “If you claim to be Had B’dorah, share with me what is going on above in heaven. Tell me some of the secrets you know.” The other rebbe responded that there is a major criticism of the Jewish people above: although they perform Torah, mitzvos—commandments—and customs, they do so for selfish reasons. They celebrate holidays and perform rituals not purely for Hashem, but because they enjoy it or benefit personally. The first rebbe then asked, “What was your response to that criticism?” The second admitted he had nothing to say. At this point, the first rebbe offered his own answer: “If I were there, I would say: Hashem, just as You claim they act for themselves and not for You, so too I pray that You act for Yourself—not for us—but save us and take us out of exile for Your own sake.”3. Parshas Ekev: Deserving Redemption or Not?
This theme appears in this week’s parsha, Ekev, specifically in Shlishi. Hashem repeatedly tells Bnei Yisrael that they do not truly deserve entry into Eretz Yisrael because they have been rebellious and challenging from the beginning—mamre meyisem—always complaining and testing Hashem. Yet Hashem says He will bring them into the land not because of their merit but due to two reasons: the wickedness of the nations currently inhabiting it and His promise to their forefathers. Similarly, when Moshe Rabbeinu prays on behalf of Bnei Yisrael, he reminds Hashem of His promises to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Moshe also argues that if Hashem does not bring them into Eretz Yisrael, people will say He lacked the power to do so—pen yomru ha’aretz asher hotziam misham. Thus, even if Bnei Yisrael are undeserving, there are higher reasons for their redemption.4. Praying for Blessing Despite Our Shortcomings
The message here is profound: sometimes we ask Hashem not only on our own merit but also for His sake—asei l’mancha, do it for Your sake. As we stand after Chamishah Asar b’Av—the 15th of Av—and approach Elul, we pray for a good inscription and sealing (Kisivah v’Chasimah Tovah) and a sweet new year (Shanah Tovah u’Mesukah). Even if we feel unworthy or lacking sufficient merit, we still beseech Hashem: “Do it for Yourself,” not just for us. May Hashem bless us all with a Kisivah v’Chasimah Tovah, a good and sweet year both physically (b’gashmiyus) and spiritually (b’ruchniyus).