Among the brochos that Yaakov Avinu eternally blessed his children with was the brocha which he gave to his Bechor, Reuven. The words of this brocha include 'Pachaz KaMayim Al Tosar'--You acted with water-like impetuosity.'
There is a preliminary question here: Where is the brocha contained in these words? It is said in the name of HaRav Yerucham Levovitz, Z'TL, that the biggest brocha that a person can have is to know his capabilities and understand his limitations. Shaul HaMelech, for instance, thought that the Kingship belonged to him and his descendents, and was tortured by the fact that it was being taken away. Reuven, on the other hand, was given the brocha to know, fully and finally, that neither the Kingship nor the Kehuna--the Priesthood--would be his, and that, accordingly, he should not spend unnecessary and, in fact, wasteful, pain and effort working towards those unattainable goals.
Each and every one of us may want to be, for example, the one who is wise enough or erudite enough to win all arguments; wealthy enough to buy all that we perceive as our needs; and successful enough to be the 'boss' and not the employee. We should, however, recognize and appreciate what our capacities truly are and develop ourselves within that framework of potential.
Looking back again at these words of Ruach HaKodesh from Yaakov Avinu to Reuven, his precious first-born, we find another amazing insight, this time made by HaRav Matisyahu Salomon, Shlita. HaRav Salomon explains once again, that Yaakov's words to Reuven are not words of punishment, but, in fact, a lesson to us all. Yaakov told Reuven that he did not have the capability of Kingship and the Kehuna because he lacked Menuchas HaNefesh--calmness, tranquility and peace of mind--and the clarity that goes along with it. One who acts hastily and sometimes out of confusion, makes mistakes, and certainly cannot consistently make clear decisions. For success, a sense of serenity and peace of mind is required. Kingship and Kehuna are extreme examples in which this composure is so important, but it is the very same Menuchas HaNefesh that is required of each and every one of us to be successful at our particular mission in life.
In the Yeshivos of Kelm, Navardok, and, later, Gateshead and Lakewood, the Orchos Chaim LaRosh (a succinct compellation of Halachos, Mitzvos, and Mussar teachings authored by the great Rishon, the Rosh) was [and is] recited with fervor during the month of Elul. In Kelm, the three words in the Orchos Chaim to which were given the greatest of emphasis were 'Al Tivahel Ma'asecha--Do not act with confusion.' Hastiness, disorder, and lack of necessary care all lead to patent and latent error, explains HaRav Salomon, and this leads to a lack of achievement and life fulfillment. Indeed, every day, at the end of the tefillah 'Uva L'Tzion' we request 'V'lo Neylayd Le'Behala--...so that our actions are not confused, so that our accomplishments are not futile' (see Artscroll Siddur). HaRav Salomon adds that Chazal teach that Noach 'found favor in the eyes of Hashem' (Bereishis 6:8) precisely because of, as his name indicates, his 'menuchas hanefesh', his equanimity in a world of upheaval and turmoil.
Each and every one of us is subjected to a pace of life which would lead us straight down the stream of 'behalah' if we allow ourselves to be forced along by its strong current. HaRav Salomon suggests, therefore, that we must be vigilant with ourselves to take the slogan of 'Al Tivahel Maasecha' with us when confronting the foibles of our daily lives. He suggests something which he calls 'simple but not easy'. A person must have a method by which he could stop the pace--not immediately going from one completed item to the next. Instead, he should get used to stopping and asking himself, 'What am I doing?' 'Am I doing it in an orderly fashion?' 'Am I doing it right?' 'What have I done?' and 'What am I going to do?' Just as we stop an automobile engine from overheating by putting it into neutral, every so often through the day, we must put ourselves into neutral as well, compose ourselves and order our lives.
What a great lesson the Torah teaches us for success in life. Noach, whose very name bore his essence of calmness and peace of mind, allowed the entire world to survive. Reuven, the great Bechor of Yaakov Avinu, on the other hand, could not carry the positions of responsibility of his people because he lacked the requisite composure and tranquility. How much better our lives would be if we could bring the words of HaRav Salomon, Shlita, with us into our work and home environments--that added degree of serenity, of composure could very well mean the difference between a gross error and an unbelievable achievement! So, let us put those occasional checkpoints into our daily routine, and into an otherwise hectic situation--so that we, too, will find favor in the eyes of Hashem!
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Reprinted with permission from Hakhel MIS
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Important Numbers
