In this week’s parsha, we learn about Shabbos. Did you know that it’s not just people that rest on Shabbos? There is a river called the Sambatyon, which has a raging torrent of water, sand, and stones that flows violently for six days, but on Shabbos it rests and becomes calm!
Chazal also teach us about a special type of fish, which, when Shabbos comes it stops swimming and sits on an island till the end of Shabbos! And when Moshiach comes, if someone tries to pick a fig off a tree on Shabbos, the tree will shout “Shabbos!”
When Moshe Rabbeinu was in Heaven for forty days and didn’t eat or drink, he didn’t sleep either, and didn’t even take a short nap! [Midrash]
When Moshe Rabbeinu was in Heaven learning from Hashem, he kept on forgetting, and only when he kept on learning, on the fortieth day, did Hashem give him the Torah as a present! [Midrash]
Reb Shimon Schwab would tell this story. Tens of years have gone by since these moments, but I remember them like yesterday! I walked into the room of the Chofetz Chaim. He looked me in the eye and asked, “Are you by any chance a kohein?” “No,” I answered. “Maybe a levi?” “No. I am a Yisrael,” I answered, puzzled.
Well, I am a kohein. When Moshiach will come, lots of Yidden will really want to sacrifice in the Beis Hamikdash, but they will not be allowed. Only a kohein and levi will have the zechus.
“Do you know why I am a kohein, and you are not?” asked the Chofetz Chaim.
“I am a kohein because my great-great … grandfather heard Moshe Rabbienu cry out, ‘Mi lashem eili,’ after the eigel, and ran over to Moshe!
My dear bachor, you should know, Hashem sometimes screams out on a personal level ‘mi lashem eili.’ Make sure not to miss these opportunities. Their legacy stays on forever!”
Rav Schwab later said, when he came to America after the war, everything was so haywire, people weren’t keeping Shabbos etc., The Chafetz Chaim’s words gave me the strength to forge ahead and build Torah and avodah!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 73.