TRAGEDY:  A Suggestion as to What We Should Perhaps Do..

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com We have just suffered the loss of Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatzal – the Gadol Hador.  This was followed by three tragic acts of terrorism, r”l.  Many Gedolei Torah have pointed out that Rav Chaim zatzal’s Torah most certainly had a protective quality for Klal Yisroel.  This was true both throughout Eretz Yisroel, and also in his immediate environs – Bnei Brak. Until now, as Moreinu HaRav Gershon Edelstein shlita has pointed out, there was never a significant terrorist incident in Bnei Brak. Unfortunately, we have just experienced one in Bnei Brak and two other very tragic incidents in Be’er Sheva and in Hadeirah. SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT RAV CHAIM ZATZAL There was, however, something else about Rav Chaim zatzal – that may have been ignored or eclipsed on account of his remarkably prodigious Torah learning.  He had an enormously deep degree of Ahavas Yisroel. That too, is now gone. So what can we do as a z’chus for Rav Chaim zatzal, and for ourselves? One thing we can do which could perhaps also address the terrorist violence transpiring in Eretz Yisroel and the increase in tragedies is through strengthening ourselves in the Mitzvah of v’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha. What follows are rulings of Rav Elyashiv zatzal on the Mitzvah of v’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha that were culled from a sefer put together by his grandson, Rav Lipa Israelson shlita, and shown to him for approval. Some of the material, of course, may be obvious, but it needs to be stated – in order to get a bigger picture of this important Mitzvah. THE MITZVAH It is a Mitzvah upon every individual Jew to love every member of Klal Yisroel, as it says, “v’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha.” Anything that you would want others to do for you in Torah and Mitzvos you should do for them. Included in this are physical acts of g’milas chessed, such as visiting the sick, comforting mourners, attending a funeral, bringing joy to a chosson and kallah, and helping others in all their needs. NEGATING THE MITZVAH One who does something to his friend that he himself would not have wanted done to him is negating this Mitzvah. He will suffer on this account (Avos D’Rav Nosson 16 and Shabbos 31a). Indeed, even if you personally do not care if this embarrassment was done to you – it is still forbidden to embarrass others in this manner (Chofetz Chaim, Toras Kohanim Kedoshim 12) JOINING IN HIS JOY AND PAIN One must rejoice in the good and happy events of other members of Klal Yisroel, as well as participate in their sorrow (Sefer Chareidim 9:28 in Mitzvos HaTluos B’Lev). Therefore, if one hears that a particular person has a simcha, one must make it one’s business to be happy in his simcha. When a friend has a tragedy, chas v’shalom, one must share his pain with him. HELPING AND PRAYING FOR OTHERS There is an obligation to help others in every area that one can. One must also daven for them to save them from their pain. One who requests mercy on his friend in front of him, does not need to mention his friend’s name. When it is done not in the presence of his friend, then one must mention his name (Introduction […]

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