YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Middot - Character Traits
- Additional Lessons
Shlomo was less enthusiastic about the weather. It was one thing to watch from the window, or splash in puddles. It was another to have to walk home, after a long day of work, and be drenched by the watery gift. Shlomo stuffed his chapped hands into the pockets of his thin jacket. Only a few more buildings until he would be home.
Shlomo stamped the water off of his shoes as he walked up the steps to his family’s apartment. He wasn’t usually one to complain. He had a lot to be grateful for. He was young and healthy, and had managed to find a job that would allow him to bring in some grushim to support himself and his parents. Times were tough, and if not for Shlomo, the family wouldn’t even have been able to afford bread. He knew well that many neighbors of theirs weren’t as fortunate. He just wished he could be a little warmer on his walk to and from work.
As Shlomo opened the door, he spied his father’s coat hanging on a hook. Somehow, all the frustration that Shlomo felt boiled over, and almost before he knew what had happened, he began yelling.
"There’s a coat here, just hanging on a hook! Do you know what I go through, trudging through the rain to support this family? I know it’s Abba’s coat, but you just stay here all day, and I’m the one who has to go outside and work hard, so that we’ll have what to eat! Don’t I at least deserve a coat?!"
Startled by the sudden attack, Shlomo’s father was quick to respond at equal volume. "So you deserve my coat! What does that even mean? It’s my coat! You don’t deserve something that belongs to me already! Besides, I don’t stay home all day. How am I supposed to go to shul without a coat?"
Shlomo’s mother walked into the room just then. Despite the weather, or perhaps because of it, things were starting to heat up. It was time to take action.
"Why argue about this?" she interjected. "Both of you, go to Rabbi Aryeh Levin, and ask him what to do!"
The combatants were momentarily immobilized. They couldn’t help but agree that asking the renowned tzadik of Jerusalem to arbitrate made more sense than continuing to yell at each other. The father and son ventured out into the slashing winds, and headed toward the rabbi’s house.
Who should get the coat?
Answer of Rabbi Aryeh Levin, zt"l:
The story continues:
Rabbi Levin graciously invited Shlomo and his father inside, and listened attentively as Shlomo and his father presented their claims. Much to their surprise, Rabbi Levin didn’t issue an immediate ruling.
"Before I come to a conclusion, I have an assignment for both of you" the rabbi explained. "Both of you go home, and come back to me tomorrow with an argument for why the other person should get the coat!"
Left with no choice, Shlomo and his father returned home, each one lost in his thoughts. Now what was there to say in defense of the other side?
"My father gets much colder than I do. At his age, staying warm might even be a matter of protecting his health," Shlomo mused. "Maybe… he needs it more than I do."
"Shlomo works so hard for the family. He goes out in the cold, while I’m at home most of the day," Shlomo’s father thought to himself. "Maybe… I was too tough on him when I yelled at him like that."
The next day, father and son returned to Rabbi Levin. Each one presented their arguments as to why the other person should get the coat. Rabbi Levin smiled broadly.
"After carefully listening to both of you, I’ve decided," Rabbi Levin paused. "I’ve decided that both of you need a coat!"
And with that, Rabbi Levin walked over to his closet, and took out another coat!
"I happen to have an extra, and it would make me so happy if you take it home with you," Rabbi Levin explained.
Shlomo and his father were speechless! They definitely hadn’t expected that verdict.
"Rabbi, we’re so grateful for the gift!" Shlomo’s father began. "But, but if you had an extra, why did you wait until today to give it to us?"
"I couldn’t have given it yesterday," Rabbi Levin patiently explained. "If I had, the two of you would have argued over who gets the new coat. Now that I see that both of you are thinking about each other, I know that I can give you the coat, and you’ll peacefully work out who can have which coat."
(From the book Tzadik Yesod Olam, page 76)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
