In the Sefer, Walking with Rabbi Miller, Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky,
Shlita, provides some incredible memories of his walks with HaRav
Avigdor Miller, Z’tl during the years 5715-5725 (1955-1965). Rabbi
Dolinsky, then a young man, took advantage of the opportunity, or
perhaps more appropriately stated, created the opportunity, of becoming
close to his Rav by making sure he was present when his Rav took his
daily walks. Chazal teach us of the tremendous importance and, in
fact, the preeminence even over Torah study in being meshamesh--in
serving--and learning by personal contact, with Talmedei Chachamim.
From the extremely valuable lessons HaRav Miller taught Rabbi Dolinsky
below, which may be only the tip of the iceberg of the effect he had on
Rabbi Dolinsky’s life, we can understand how important it is for each
and every one of us to get close to a Talmid Chacham, and glean as much
as we can from his personal conduct, actions and words.
Just a few essential lessons that Rabbi Dolinsky presents in his wonderful Sefer are excerpted below:
1. When giving a bracha to another, it is important that we generate
within ourselves the feeling that we are bringing an actual, real
benefit to the recipient of our bracha--that we are doing a true
chesed. There is no comparison at all to that same brachah’s quality
and strength when accompanied by positive mental concentration. The
fact that the bracha has so much power and can accomplish so much just
even with “dry words” does not mean that saying it with intent does not
play any role or have any effect. To the contrary, a bracha said with
proper, positive intent has a tremendously awesome effect, many times
more than those “dry words” alone--so great, in fact, that HaRav Miller
compared it to a nuclear explosion.
HaRav Miller taught that our brachos to others with kavavna have
super-special effects even when they are salutation-oriented and made
during conversational speech. In the course of our normal, everyday
life, in greetings and in reactions, in exclamations, proclamations,
and best wishes for all sorts of occasions, we make statements that
are, in actuality, real brachos. Unfortunately, we may grow so
accustomed to reciting them and their usage is so commonplace that we
become callous about regarding them as actual brachos. Rather than
giving expression to the unique good wishes felt in each person’s
heart, these greetings and blessings become a mere recitation of
formulas. Besides this loss of the uniqueness of people exchanging
their intended good wishes, there is not even an awareness that it is a
bracha!
This would mean that when wishing a traveler “Have a good trip,” one
should bear in mind the words of the bracha, their implications, and
then, in full concentration, itemize in your mind (at least) the
brachah’s realization: a safe trip and return, as well as success in
the endeavors undertaken.
Here are some further examples of good wishes we can concentrate on
when we give the most common brachos (the examples are from HaRav
Miller himself):
“Good morning”--to a Torah learner, we might intend this to mean, have
a good learning session, and say a good Shiur. To a businessman,
complete some fortuitous deals. To a housewife, that the washing
machine should do its job and not break down.
“Hearty appetite”--digest the food well and enjoy it.
“Yasher Koach”--your strength should increase, to the gabbai or whoever has performed a task well.
“Gezundheit”--much good health to you.
“Mazel Tov”--good fortune on a million different occasions.
“Gut Shabbos”--the cholent should be tasty, and may you have a good rest, and may your Shabbos be meaningful.
“Gut voch”--Good week; may you suffer no indigestion from the cholent.
“Kol tuv”--Live and be well.
“Bon voyage”; “Happy birthday”; “Happy anniversary”; “Have a nice day.” And the list goes on!
2. In general, our generation suffers from a special difficultly in
focusing concentration throughout the entire Shemone Esrei. HaRav
Miller’s very practical suggestion was to divide the Shemone Esrei into
three parts, and then, in each one of the three Tefillos of the day, to
make an extra effort to concentrate on one of the parts. This is more
practically realistic and within our reach then when trying to
concentrate through the entire davening, and Rabbi Dolinsky testifies
that it inspired and motivated HaRav Miller’s students to invest
special energy into improving their prayer.
3. The defining characteristic of Shemone Esrei is generating within
oneself the feeling of actually standing before Hashem. HaRav Miller
“came to the rescue with a very practical, workable exercise.”
Whenever you come to the word “Ata” in a bracha, pause for a moment and
think about what the word means. Its simple translation is--“You”--and
you are addressing it to Hashem right in front of you. When done
properly, this can generate a feeling of actually standing before
Hashem.
4. HaRav Miller once said “It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny to
have a taste for appreciating seashells than to be born a
millionaire.” He once asked his students to wiggle their toes before a
lecture, so that they could experience the pleasure of what Hashem made
them capable of. When passing a gas station, he noted that unlike
cars, we don’t pull our bodies in somewhere and say “Fill her up.”
Rather, Hashem created the enjoyable experience of eating for our
appreciation. Indeed, so much of the Creation is for our appreciation:
beautiful flowers, beautiful birds, exquisite tropical fish, unique
smells, special sounds, breathtaking sights--the world is full of
beauty. We should never let life pass over our heads. Instead, we
should utilize our appreciation of these moments to connect to our
Creator. In doing so, we turn the act of drinking a glass of water
into an encounter with Hashem!!
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Hakhel MIS
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Important Numbers
