In this week’s Parsha, Hashem compares the Jewish people to the stars in the heavens. I heard an incredible idea from my father Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita: Rav Chaim of Sanz says that if you look at the stars, they seem tiny. To us, from afar, stars look small. The reason why they look so small is because they aren’t in our solar system, they are very far away. In reality, though, stars are huge, they are colossal and gigantic. Says the Sanzer, that is the Jew, and that’s why we are compared to stars. A Jew may look small and insignificant, he may seem empty, but really, he is huge. He has huge greatness.
As we approach Tisha B’av, let’s take this message to heart and realize how special each and every Jew is! Never think of a Jew as small. All he needs is someone to kindle his Neshama – someone to spark his soul. We must realize that really, he is huge. He is a constellation and galaxy. All you have to do is go and look a bit closer! Remember that every single Jew, no matter how small they look, in Hashem’s eyes and in our eyes, they are tremendous.
A non-observant, Jewish man with earnings, a ponytail, and ripped jeans once came to Rav Shlomo Freifeld zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Sh’or Yoshuv to apply for the job as the yeshiva janitor. When the man came, Rav Shlomo told the man that the job wasn’t open anymore, but he asked him if he had ever learned the Chapter of Hakones in Mesechtas Bava Kama. The man said he did many years ago as a boy in yeshiva, but he doesn’t really remember it. You won’t believe what Rav Shlomo said to him. He said, “I would like to hire you to be a rebbi.” The man said, “What? You want me to be a rebbi? Look at me! How can I be a rebbi?
Rav Shlomo told the man that he has two boys who went through a lot, and they need a Rebbi who they can relate to. They need a Rebbi who can understand them – a Rebbi who had similar experiences to what they have now.
The man was shocked and after some thought, he decided to accept the job. He will learn with these boys and be their rebbi. Later that night the man realized that if he would be a rebbi he should really wear a yarmulka and tzitzis. For the first time in many years, he went out and bought a yarmulke and tzitzis. That night the man sat with a Gemara and started preparing for the next day’s class. He started learning again.
The man connected with these boys, and together they all grew tremendously. This man ended up becoming an incredible rebbi, infusing many people with the beauty and vitality of Yiddishkeit! What greatness! The power of every Yid!
When you look at someone who seems small, look far ahead and realize how big he is. It doesn’t matter if he has a ponytail and ripped jeans. It doesn’t matter if he isn’t wearing a yarmulke or tzitzis. Look at him and see how much greatness he can have. All he may need is someone to give him that boost, someone to lift him up. Let’s try to help others reach their full potential and be shining stars!
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