יום ד Date: 7 Iyar, 5774 (5/7/14) – Beitzah#38 {Eliezer}

PRAYERS

[38a bottom] When Rav Abba went from Bavel to Israel, he prayed that he would say something that would be accepted by the scholars there. When he got to Israel, he heard the Rabbis learning a Mishnah and tried to answer their question. In response, they laughed at his answer.

The Maaros Chayos asked the Chasam Sofer is he should write a Sefer (book), because he was afraid others would not agree with his views. The Chasam Sofer told him that it does not matter if people agree with him, because the goal is about getting to the Emes (truth).  Any Machlokese L’shem Shamayim (an argument for the sake of Heaven) is great. R’ Abba was not simply insulted, he failed to get this proper message.

E’s Lesson#1: Torah is meant to be learned and spread. When we have ideas we should share them with our friends. Try to enhance other peoples’ lives by sharing wisdom and knowledge.

E’s Lesson#2: Torah does not mean taking the “popular” road. We must always strive to find the TRUTH in life. Jews, by definition, swim against the current and this is specifically what has enabled us to survive as a nation until today. Never get swept away with the assimilation tide. Stand strong and stand proud, “Am Yisrael Chai!”