Pearls of Wisdom,Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

A Swimming Lesson

"They journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the wilderness; and Israel encamped there, facing the mountain." (Exodus 19:2)

The Kotzker Rebbe comments on this verse that the Children of Israel faced Mount Sinai, with their backs to the surroundings. In order to receive the Torah, we must be willing to turn our backs on societal trends.

One of the negative mitzvos of the Torah is not to follow in the ways of the nations. As the prophet Bilaam said: "They are a nation who dwell alone, and will not be considered among the nations" (Numbers 23:9). This is explained in the following way: As long as we remember who we are, we will always be reassured of our place in the world. However, when we begin to assimilate, we will lose our exalted position.

A well known Midrash states that in Egypt, the Jews retained their names, their language, and their style of clothing. The Meshech Chochma explains that Yaakov Avinu perceived the dangers of assimilation during the long exile, and, as a preventative measure, devised this plan. This plan was passed down through the generations.

In today's day and age, we sometimes have to wonder whether we are keeping this tradition of Yaakov Avinu, or whether we have gone beyond the boundaries of our tradition.

There are many responsa that deal with the permissibility of dressing in a secular fashion. When a decree was made by the ruling powers of Poland that Jews could no longer wear a shtreimel, the great Rav Yitzchok of Vork immediately sent a delegation of Hassidim to try to annul the decree. The Rebbe held that the principle of wearing a shtreimel was fundamental to maintaining Jewish identity. I'm not sure that the fashion designers of Paris understand the principle behind the shtreimel. The prophet Tzefania, in giving mussar to Klal Yisroel says, "I will take notice of the officers and the princes of all those who wear alien dress."

In the area of Jewish music, we are told that the "the gate of music is higher than the gate of wisdom." Proper music has a powerful effect on the soul. The Gedolei Mussar and Chassidus were so careful that their music should be kept sacred, that they insisted that the exact notes and rhythm be written on music sheets and published in book form, alongside their other seforim. This is in stark contrast to the following incident: I was in a store in the southern United States, where over the sound system I was surprised to hear a song that sounded familiar. When I asked one of the storekeepers if the radio was tuned to a special Jewish program, he answered in surprise "No, this is a rock station". Upon listening a little closer, it was obvious to me where I had heard this song before. I only wondered how it found its way into our Yiddishe simchas.<

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Young people who are in search of institutions of higher learning need guidance in finding the proper academic environment. Campuses today possess many inherent dangers. Certain professors may teach much more than pure subject matter. Reb Aharon Kotler, long ago, spoke concerning the responsibility that we each have to shield ourselves from harmful influences.

We learn in Yoreh De'ah 58, that an animal with broken limbs is not kosher for ritual slaughter. To test for broken vital limbs, the animal's walk is examined. If it cannot walk by itself, it may not be slaughtered. The same rule applies to fowl, except that they may be placed in water. For birds, swimming is as valid a test as walking. This validation only holds true if the bird swims against the current, for anything can be carried with the flow of a current.

Explains Reb Archik, the great gadol in Mussar: "A Jew who merely follows the trends of society is no proof of living a vibrant Jewish life. It is the one who swims against the current who lives a truly Jewish life."

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Pearls of Wisdom , Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser