“During the 9 days, we are not to eat meat, drink wine, or cut our hair. However, on Shabbat, the eating meat and drinking is permitted,” said the Rabbi during one of his classes. A member of the congregation heard the class and asked who instructed these laws? The Rabbi responded, “The Rabbi’s.” The congregant growled and said, “Ohh, just another Rabbi. I will do whatever I want.”
This same story happened with me in another fashion. A few weeks ago, I received a ticket in the mail for parking in front of the Beit Chabad. The city claimed that I had not left enough space for pedestrians to walk. I was in shock, as we always leave space, and decided to defend myself against the ticket. Therefore, I contacted a lawyer who told me that parking in front of your workplace is against the law. “Who made the laws?” I asked. “Politicians, and businessman that do not live in your area,” he responded. As upset as I was, I could not go so far and say, “Ohh just a politician, I will continue doing whatever I want.”
The impact of responding that way, would be immediate. A fine would be issued, and the city government could even take away the car. On the other hand, by not following the instructions of the Rabbis, nothing seemingly would happen. They are just Rabbi’s, right?
I wondered where the disrespect for the Rabbi’s came from? Also, why did the Rabbis earn respect in the first place?
As a Jew many of us are asked about other gods and whether we believe in them. The answer is a simple, “no,” but the questioner often pushes us to give a reason. So eventually we say, “Your god was a human being, and cannot be G-d.” The moment we say that we are subconsciously saying that human beings have no divine inspiration, and all human beings are equal. This train of thought makes us think that Rabbi’s are just like regular human beings.
They lead normal lives just like their congregation. Even when Moses, was leading the people in the desert the Jewish people would often compare Moshe to their own behaviors. As Rashi explains, if Moshe left his home early, people would say he had a fight with his family; and if he left late, they would say that he took his time so that he could plot against them. If the leader looks like us, and acts like us, why does he deserve more respect than us?
I am sure you can give many more reasons to disrespect a Rabbi or spiritual leader. However, let us look at the other side and focus on why they earn our respect from the Parshah Devarim.
The fifth book of the Torah is different than the other 4 books. Moshe said it “from his own mouth.” I know you are probably thinking, “What does that mean?”. Well, the first 4 books Moshe gave over as an emissary commanded to repeat what he was told by G-d. In the fifth book, that mission did not change. What changed was the way it was presented to the Jewish people.
Instead of the Jewish nation feeling that Moshe was giving the Torah as a messenger, they felt it was coming from Moshe himself. The language was different and the form of presentation was unique. It was G-d’s words being given over, while being enveloped in Moshe’s mind and thought. The entire book remains divine even though the presentation was different.
I am sure you noticed that I used the word – Rabbi’s for Sages. The reason is because the Rabbi’s instruct a congregation on what the Sages taught. Since the Sages taught with Divine Inspiration, even if the teachings seemingly are packaged many times to seem like the Rabbi’s own. They should be respected as the will of Hashem. That is when the Rabbi’s source is a Sage, of course.
The reason why G-d made Torah study have this humane and personal touch is to combine both the spiritual and material world. When using our minds for Torah, we are refining it and uplifting our thoughts to new heights. Thus, fulfilling the purpose of creation. To make a dwelling place for Hashem in this physical world.
So the next time the Rabbi gets up to speak, remember it is not him that you are hearing, but the Divine message given from Hashem. Is that not enough to earn your respect and attention?
