Erev Shabbos Parshas Bolok marks the sheloshim of the
renowned educator, HaRav Moshe Ebstein zt"l. His
aristocratic bearing stemming from his German- Jewish
background coupled with the majesty acquired from his
Rebbe-muvhak, Maran HaRav Hutner zt"l blended
to mold this master teacher who had a unique way of inspiring
all, while making the Novi come alive. The gemora
(Megilla 14a) relates, "There were many prophets amongst
Israel, double the number of those who left Egypt. Those
prophesies which were needed for future generations were
written [in Tanach]; those prophesies which were not
needed for future generations were not written."
When Rav Ebstein zt"l taught, every student wanted to
grow to be one of "those many prophets of Israel." As the
Rambam (Yesodei haTorah 7:1) writes, " . . .when one
continually uses one's intellect to overcome the yetzer
hora . . . and when one drives oneself not to pursue
worthless matters . . . immediately ruach hakodesh
dwells on him . . ."
*
It is appropriate to relate a story that Rav Ebstein would
tell about himself during his teenage years, from which we
can all learn how to grow spiritually. He was "fortunate," he
said; he "only" had to suffer slave labor in Siberia during
World War II. Amidst his good fortune was to be exiled there
with his Novi rebbe, Dr. Yehuda Aryeh Wohlgemuth
zt"l. When the first time came that R' Moshe was
ordered to work on Shabbos, he was shocked! "Would these
hands that had never been mechallel Shabbos now be
mechallel Shabbos?" he asked himself.
He and his rebbe found a solution. There weren't many hiding
places in the vast wilderness of Siberia. Yet, there was
one place to hide. The plumbing was, of course, very
primitive. The entire camp was served by an outhouse, which
was a deep hole in the ground that eventually would become
full. Then a new such pit would be dug. Obviously no one
would willingly enter such a hiding place. Yet this is
exactly where R' Moshe Ebstein and his rebbe hid for their
first Shabbos working assignment.
Needless to say, they could not daven, nor learn
Torah, nor eat anything in such conditions; but they were
able to keep Shabbos. To refrain from violating the Torah's
negative prohibition of working on Shabbos overrides these
lesser considerations. This "arrangement" could have
continued had it not been that someone informed the
authorities of their unique hiding place.
So, for the next Shabbos, they tried to think of a plan to
escape chillul Shabbos. Without any method available
to avoid chillul Shabbos, they would be required, and
permitted as explained by the Chofetz Chaim in sefer
Machane Yisroel Ch. 7, to join the workforce on
Shabbos. In order to pacify his student Dr. Wohlgemuth said,
"I will do the av melochoh and you will only have to
do the toldoh." Even though they must be
mechallel Shabbos by working, there is still room for
ruchniyus !
As they had done the previous Shabbos, R' Moshe and his rebbe
were able to distinguish between the prohibition of work and
the positive commandment of remembering the Shabbos. Now they
were unable to keep the more important aspect of Shabbos, its
prohibition of work. But, even though they must work, they
needn't neglect the lesser positive mitzvah of remembering
Shabbos.
Everyone was sent out shortly after daybreak to chop down
trees in teams of two. Together they worked at this extremely
heavy physical labor while discussing halachos and
midroshim of Shabbos. The Soviets were unaware that
these two prisoners were still keeping the positive
commandment to remember Shabbos.
Throughout the day of backbreaking labor they remained
focused on the goal of expounding on kedushas Shabbos.
When at nightfall a whistle was blown to call everyone back
to the barracks, it was as if they were aroused from a deep
slumber in the middle of the night, not realizing where they
were, confronted by guards with bayonets and dogs.
Physically they did not feel that they had worked all day,
since spiritually they were on such a high plateau. It was
with their first chillul Shabbos that they felt that
it was the first time they were actually mekadesh
Shabbos to the highest degree humanly possible!
With warmth, Rav Ebstein would say that what was supposed to
be chillul Shabbos turned into a kiddush of
Shabbos. This was the lesson Rav Ebstein would relate from
every posuk, passionately and personally, to each and
every listener; regardless of their current level of
spiritual development: we can grow and be as great in our
service of Hashem as we aim to be. Yehi zichro
boruch!
