THE ALTER on THE PARSHA
Adapted from Sefer Ohr HaTzafun by Rabbi Eliezer Grunberg
PARSHAS Yisro 5769
Kocha Shel Nikudah Ruchniyus
We tend to measure our spiritual achievements by the number of our positive acts and great
feats we perform. When performing small spiritual acts or when holding back and not doing wrong, we sometimes may question what affect is it having on our spiritual growth. Does it make such a difference? Are we really accomplishing? When we learn a little Mussar, does it really help?
The Gemara in Pesachim tells us that until the age of 40, Rebbi Akiva was ignorant of Torah
understand. Rebbi Akiva uprooted his hate for the Torah and its learners and came to love them. The
Gemara in Berachos teaches us that his love for Hashem was such that every day he yearned for the
What caused this transformation in Rebbi Akiva? Chazal (Avos D’Rebbi Nosson 87) tell us that one day Rebbi Akiva was standing near a well and saw that the constant drip of water had bore an
immediately went to study Torah.
that resulted in him reaching such levels of spirituality.
While our actions and even holding back from acting seem small and insignificant, from
Chazal we see that this is not the case. We live in an era when so many are ignorant of the Torah and the influences of society constantly lure more away. The power of a small dose of inspiration can go a long way in returning a Jew to his heritage. Every little step in the right direction and every time we deliberately hold back for the sake of Hashem can be a spiritual achievement beyond our imagination.
Lizchus Refuah Shelaima Tinok ben Ilana Yocheved
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