Michtav M’Eliyahu (2:184) A tzadik decrees and G-d fulfills – It is obviously true that this does not mean that a tzadik can decree something which G-d doesn’t want. The explanation is that there are tzadikim for whom the whole world exists in their merit. That all that happens in the world is merely a means for us to learn from the conduct of these tzadikim how to elevate our service of G-d. What we learn from them is what preserves all of us from the lowest to the highest. That is what it means that because of their merit we live because we are mere utensils for the tzadik which enables us to see G-d’s great kindness in that \He freely sustains the entire world .So when a tzadik who is at this exalted level sees an issue which hides an aspect of G-d’s honor it is appropriate for him to ask G-d to withhold it even if it involves a change in G-d’s normal actions. This is what is meant by “a tzdik decrees and G-d fulfills."
A tzadik decrees and G-d fulfills Daf Hayomi today: Menachot 109b Shimon HaTzaddik understood this to be a sign that his death was impending. Indeed, after the pilgrimage festival of Sukkot, he was ill for seven days and died. And his fellow priests refrained from reciting the Priestly Benediction with the ineffable name of God. At the time of his death, he said to the Sages: Onias, my son, will serve as High Priest in my stead. Shimi, Onias’ brother, became jealous of him, as Shimi was two and a half years older than Onias. Shimi said to Onias treacherously: Come and I will teach you the order of the service of the High Priest. Shimi dressed Onias in a tunic [be’unkeli] and girded him with a ribbon [betziltzul] as a belt, i.e., not in the vestments of the High Priest, and stood him next to the altar. Shimi said to his fellow priests: Look what this man vowed and fulfilled for his beloved, that he had said to her: On the day that I serve in the High Priesthood I will wear your tunic and gird your ribbon. The fellow priests of Onias wanted to kill him because he had disgraced the Temple service with his garments. Onias ran away from them and they ran after him. He went to Alexandria in Egypt and built an altar there, and sacrificed offerings upon it for the sake of idol worship. When the Sages heard of the matter they said: If this person, Shimi, who did not enter the position of High Priest, acted with such jealousy, all the more so will one who enters a prestigious position rebel if that position is taken away from him. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir. According to Rabbi Meir, the temple of Onias was built for idol worship.
ReplyDeleteWow, according to R’ Meir jealousy of the younger brother Onaias for the honor and power of the older brother, Shimi, who rightfully became the High Preist---Lead Onaias to do horrible acts (dressing like a woman idol worshipping whatever). Who has the honor and power today in Israel and the USA ? Those out of power are deeply jealous of those in power, agreed?
I heard in Chabad, that the previous Rebbe had tried to avert the Holocaust, and asked the chassidim to remain with him in Poland.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately his efforts were not successful, and he fled to America.