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Chomer Lidrush
An idea to turn your gears heading into the parsha
1) The Outsiders Who Brought Redemption
Have you ever dramatically told over the story in the Haftarah as the heart of a derashah? This week’s dramatic reading from Sefer Melachim is the perfect opportunity!
I would humbly suggest an article of my own: my analysis of the Haftarah for Parashat Metzora in Mitoch HaOhel, where four metzoraim become unexpected messengers of the yeshua.
In the piece, I explored how divine redemption arrived for the besieged city of Shomron through society's most marginalized members. While Melech Yehoram and city residents despaired during the Aramean siege, these outcast lepers discovered abandoned enemy camps filled with provisions – becoming unlikely harbingers of salvation.
I challenge the reader to consider: might redemption come from unexpected sources? Do we sometimes miss miracles because they arrive through unconventional channels?
2) On Lashon Hara: The Guarded Tongue - Divinely Placed
Our RCA chaver – and mentor - Rabbi Binyamin Yudin's exploration of the tongue's unique position offers profound spiritual insight. In this chapter from his sefer on parashah, he examines Dovid HaMelech’s question from Tehillim: "What can He add to you, deceitful tongue?" (120:3) and reveals the divine wisdom in placing our speech organ behind "two walls" – the teeth and lips.
Unlike other body parts that stand upright and external, the tongue lies prone and internal, guarded behind protective barriers. This God-given architecture suggests that speech requires special care and intention.
The comparison extends to tefillah itself – our main means of communication with the Divine is our mouth. Just as a master carpenter needs properly maintained tools to create beautiful furniture, so do our prayers require a mouth unsullied by improper speech.
When we enter sacred space, we're reminded to pause, transition mindfully, and prepare our tongues for holy communication. Rabbi Yudin’s metaphor of "closed doors" speaks to the necessary boundaries that give our words greater meaning and impact when properly released.
3) Davening for Another Jew
Chazal (Sotah, 32b) teach “וְכׇל מִי שֶׁאֵירַע בּוֹ דָּבָר צָרִיךְ לְהוֹדִיעַ לָרַבִּים, וְרַבִּים מְבַקְּשִׁים עָלָיו רַחֲמִים” – just as a metzora must inform the public of their situation, and the public prays on their behalf, so too does one who experiences a painful or difficult matter. Put differently, the Gemara is telling us about praying for others.
Years ago, while a Rav in Queens, I encountered a father seeking tzedakah for his daughter's education. I began writing our standard contribution check when he mentioned something that instantly changed everything - his daughter had autism and attended the Higashi School in Boston.
This revelation struck close to home. My wife and I had researched this very institution for our own son with autism. Intimately familiar with both the school's exceptional approach and its staggering tuition costs (approximately $150,000 annually), I immediately increased the donation amount significantly.
Still, I recognized the painful reality - even this larger sum would barely impact the enormous financial burden he carried. Seeking to offer additional support, I shared some encouraging words as a fellow parent walking a similar path.
As he prepared to leave, I was struck by inspiration. "What's your daughter's Hebrew name?" I asked. "What if we daven for each other's children?" We exchanged names on small slips of paper, creating a spiritual connection that seemed to go beyond even financial assistance. In that moment of shared vulnerability, we gave each other the promise of ongoing tefillah from someone who truly understood.
Consider: When we help another person, we assist one of Hashem's children. In that moment, we are caring for His child, supporting His family.
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