Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi David Cohen
You shall rejoice with all of the goodness that Hashem, your G-d, has given you. (26:11)
The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh writes that b’chol hatov, “all of the goodness,” alludes to the Torah, for there is no greater “good” other than Torah. He adds that if people would sense the incredible unparalleled sweetness and pleasantness associated with the Torah, people would go out of their minds in pursuit of Torah. Money would have no value; nothing would have value, for the Torah includes within it everything – all of the goodness in the world.
It was told about Rabbi Avrham Yeshaya Karlitz, the Chazon Ish, that one time, late at night, his wife heard a crash. She runs out of the room and sees her husband lying on the floor. Concerned she asks him what happened. He gets up and responds, “Nothing really, every night I learn until I have only enough energy to reach the bed. Tonight I miscalculated!” This is from the Chazon Ish who said about himself that he knows no one more naturally lazy then himself! What drove him- his love of Torah .
May it be Hashem’s will that we will all be granted a “good” life – a life filled with Torah and Mitzvot!
Shabbat Shalom