How To Handle A Hungry Soul by Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

"Pinchas, the son of Elazar, son of Aaron the Kohen, turned back
My wrath from upon the Children of Israel, when he zealously
avenged Me among them, so I did not consume the Children of Israel
in My vengeance." (Bamidbar 25:10)

As a reward for Pinchas` zealous act, Hashem granted him and his
descendants a Bris Shalom, a Covenant of Peace.

The question is, what is the midah k`neged midah equation here (the
measure for measure)? The answer is that many Israelites were embar-

rassed and upset by Zimri`s act. It was Pinchas, however, who took all of
their thoughts from the potential and actualized them. This is similar to the
Kohanim, who take the service of the heart of B`nai Yisrael from the
potential and actualize them. This is the midah k`neged midah for which
Pinchas was rewarded the priesthood.

Many of us are upset when we see so many Jews who are assimilated
and alienated from their Jewish roots. As King David said, "My eyes are
streaming with tears for those who do not go in the ways of Torah." Many of
us would like to do something. However, when it comes to action, it is
difficult for us to carry out our good intentions. The truth is, it is
our responsibility to in some way be involved in helping and assisting the
effort to return lost or misdirected souls. When the Chofetz Chaim saw the
rampant assimilation throughout Europe towards the end of his life, he said,
"If I would have the strength, even now in my old age, I would board the
trains and ride from city to city to reach out to those Jews who have become
alienated from their roots."

The problems of missionaries and cults are not new. Decades ago, in
Europe, a man traveled from a small town to Rabbi Shimon of Skanowitz.
The man was despondent. He told the Rebbe that his daughter had not
received a proper Jewish education, and had grown up with few friends in
their town. Missionaries had befriended her, and persuaded her to convert.
She was not living in a convent, and about to convert.

Rabbi Shimon of Skanowitz immediately asked for the location of the
convent. He called for his personal attendant, asked for his hat, coat and
boots and set out in a winter storm to the convent.

Once he reached his destination, the Rabbi stood on the street corner
and penned a note to the young lady at the convent. It said, "I, Shimon of
Skanowitz, am waiting for you." He specified the exact street corner in his
note, folded it, and gave a few pennies to one of the local children to smuggle
it into the convent.

The Rabbi waited the entire day for this young woman. Soon snow
began to fall heavily. After a while, both the Rabbi and his attendant were
knee deep in snow. They waited throughout the entire night for sign of this
young lady. Neither the Rabbi nor his attendant moved from their spots. If
one left for a few minutes when necessary, the other would remain.

By dawn, the attendant said to the Rabbi, "It seems as though she is
not going to appear. Isn`t it time to go home?" The Rabbi would not hear of it.
The second day passed, the snow continued to fall and still there was no sign
of the young lady. It was now the third day. By this time the temperature
was sub-zero, yet the Rabbi wouldn`t contemplate leaving.

On the third night, all of a sudden, the Rabbi and his attendant saw a
shadow emerging. A young woman ran towards them. When she reached the
Rabbi and his attendant, she identified herself as the young lady to whom
the note was addressed.

Rabbi Shimon asked her, "Why did you finally come to me?" She
answered, "Rebbe, I knew that you would never leave without me!"

Editors Note: Rabbi Goldwasser is giving a special series of summer
shiurim on the writings of the Maharal. The shiurim give an in-depth look
into the writings of the Maharal and their application to contemporary
issues.