_In honour of the birthday of the Rebbe Maharash on 2 Iyar_
I’ve heard today’s hayom yom year after year after year, for as long as I can remember, but honestly, it was never my favourite...
Somehow though, when I read it again this morning, I saw it in a completely opposite light!
And I’m sharing it because I believe it applies to all of us, each in our own way.
“My grandfather (the Rebbe Maharash) was born on this day in 5593 (1833).
When he was seven years old he was once tested in his studies by his father, the Tzemach Tzedek. My grandfather did so well in the test that his teacher was enormously impressed. Unable to restrain himself he said to the Tzemach Tzedek, “Well, what do you say? Hasn't he done marvellously?" The Tzemach Tzedek responded: " What is there to be surprised about when tiferet-within-tiferet does well?"
Being that my birthday, and my son’s birthday, is exactly one day shy of the birthday of the Rebbe Maharash, until now, I didn’t like this hayom yom very much.
It felt like a tease.
Like I just “missed” the jackpot.
And I felt like it was rubbing in the obvious fact that while the Rebbe Maharash was so special and perfect and ideal and beautiful -
I am not.
I am just plain “gevurah shebitiferes”;)
Ordinary. Regular. Imperfect. Incomplete.
But today, it occurred to me, that it’s not likely that the intention of this hayom yom is to sing the praises of the Rebbe Maharash...
As the Rebbe once replied to a compliment at dollars, “What will be the benefit to world Jewry that I am amazing?”
And I realised that the reply of the Tzemach Tzedek to his son’s teacher, was not a proud one, but a humble one.
He wasn’t “showing off” that his son was born great.
He was saying the opposite-
That there is nothing great about being great, when you were BORN great!
There is nothing special about being special, when you were BORN special!
There is nothing exciting about being perfect, when you were BORN perfect!
It is only because we were born simple, that our small sacrifices are seen as great.
It is only because of our mountainous struggles, that our mini victories are seen as precious.
It is only because we are roaming in the dark, that our moments of light are seen as bright.
It is only because we were NOT born as “Rebbes” that our “Rebbe” moments bring Hashem so much nachas!
And that’s why, the Rebbe told us that while He can’t bring Moshiach, we CAN bring Moshiach!
Because the more imperfect we are -
The more perfect candidates we are to bring about the Redemption.
The farther we feel we have sunk into our personal Golus -
The closer we are to being the right ones to getting us all out of Golus.
The lower we are right now -
The higher the delight that our efforts bring.
The less we feel that we will be the ones who will influence Hashem to send Moshiach -
The more likely it is that we are in fact the ones!
וואס איז די התפעלות, אז תפארת שבתפארת מאכט גוט?
די התפעלות איז ווען איך מאך גוט!
"What is there to be surprised about when tiferet-within-tiferet does well?
The surprise is when WE do well!”
THAT is what is impressive.
THAT is what is marvellous.
And that’s why it’s gonna be the “little” kinderlach who will bring Moshiach...
Because the more “little” we think we are,
the BIGGER our power to fulfil Hashem’s deepest craving.
For His “taava” is for a dwelling place in the lowest of the lowest of the low...
He doesn’t need the Rebbe to welcome Him in!
He is waiting for US to welcome Him in!
He wants to be welcomed into the most unexpected corners...
Into the most unlikely of hearts...
So never compare yourself, or your accomplishments, to anybody else’s!
And never underestimate the importance of the “un”important people.
Nobody is too small.
And no action is too small.
As much as the yetzer hara tries to convince us otherwise...
For it’s only because we were born ordinary that we have the potential to do something extraordinary -
A very encouraging hayom yom after all!!
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