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“… and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment” (Devarim 16:18).
Rabbi Shimshon Chaim ben Rabbi Nachman Michael Nachmani, the Zera Shimshon (1707-1779) was only blessed with one son, who passed on at a young age. Rabbi Shimshon Chaim let it be known that his sefarim on the Written and Oral Law, imparting unique insights and profound lessons to all of Klal Yisrael, were dedicated to carry on his legacy.
In observance of the yahrzeit of the Zera Shimshon on 6 Elul, we have dedicated the following dvar Torah from his writings.
The Zera Shimshon asks: Why does the Torah need to state that “the people” will be judged. Who else is presenting before the judges? Furthermore, why does the Torah have to tell us it should be a “righteous judgment?” Is there any possibility that the judgment would be skewed or unjust?
The Zera Shimshon states that a judge has the sole objective of assuring that the verdict he pronounces is ethical and honorable. If he discerns subterfuge or trickery on the part of a litigant, it is the judge’s task to employ any means necessary to expose the deception before he can adjudicate the law.
The Sefer Mei’eiver L’Segulah elucidates this teaching of the Zera Shimshon, and notes that this is indeed the law cited in Choshen Mishpat. When Shlomo HaMelech had to determine which of the two women was the mother of the baby each was claiming as her own, he had to be astute and resourceful in order to be able to issue a “righteous” decision. It was then that his wisdom became widely known.
We learn (Melachim I, 3) that when Shlomo HaMelech ascended the throne the vessels of the Temple, including the Altar, were in Givon, while the Ark was in Yerushalayim, after having been in the house of Avinadav in Kiryas Ye’arim for 22 years. Shlomo HaMelech went to Givon to offer 1,000 burnt offerings, and that night Hashem appeared to Shlomo in a dream and offered him wealth, peace or wisdom. Shlomo opted for wisdom so that he could “distinguish between good and evil” and lead the Jewish people fairly.
Parenthetically, the medrash tells us that Shlomo HaMelech prayed and fasted for 40 days to merit to attain the wisdom of Moshe Rabbeinu. Our sages tell us that the Sefer Mishlei begins with the letter mem, whose numerical value is 40, alluding to his 40 fasts.
Hashem told Shlomo that he had chosen wisely and he would therefore also be granted peace and wealth. When Shlomo HaMelech awoke, he found that he could understand the chirping of the birds, the braying of the donkeys – the conversation of all wildlife. Shlomo HaMelech then brought additional offerings in Yerushalayim and made a feast for all of his servants.
Our sages tell us that many halachot are derived from Shlomo HaMelech’s conduct in this narrative.
The Talmud in Yuma (53a) relates that when Shlomo HaMelech returned from Givon to Yerushalayim he kept his face turned towards Givon, in order not to turn his back on the Altar where the Divine Presence rested. We learn from here that one does not turn his face away from a sacred place.
The Talmud continues that, indeed, when Rava would take leave of his rebbi, R’ Yosef, he would walk backward until his legs were bruised and the threshold of R’ Yosef’s house was bloodied from his wounds, despite the fact that R’ Yosef could not see him. When R’ Yosef heard of this, he blessed him to merit leading the yeshiva and to rule halacha.
The Medrash (Koheles Rabbah) says that when one finishes learning the Torah he makes a celebratory feast (seudah), as Shlomo HaMelech did after he was granted his exceptional wisdom (which is equivalent to having finished the Torah). He immediately the merited the Divine Spirit which inspired his writing of the three sefarim, Mishlei, Shir HaShirim, and Koheles.
Similarly, notes the Rambam, there was great joy and celebration, with a feast, on the eve of matan Torah.
Today, the sefarim of the Zera Shimshon are studied on every continent, with shiurim given in multiple languages on numerous media platforms. In response to public demand, I have been privileged to give a daily shiur for the past five years. Each day at 4:00 p.m. EST a conference call is initiated to thousands of participants, creating a daily unparalleled united learning experience with like-minded individuals dedicated to delving into the secrets of the Zera Shimshon. There are people who have not missed a day throughout these years. I encourage everyone to join and become a part of the daily shiur. To receive the daily message, call 718-954-4343.
Prefacing his writings, the author beseeches people to study his writings and promises that they will be granted family, life, wealth and honor in that merit. Indeed, the anecdotal evidence of simchas and yeshuos that people have been experiencing is remarkable, just as the author affirms. The significance of the merit accrued learning the works of Rabbeinu has garnered much enthusiasm and interest, creating a worldwide revolution.
A man, whom I didn’t know personally, called to make an appointment to discuss a problem he was having at home.
He related that his marriage had been troubled for a long time. The couple simply did not agree on many issues and were constantly arguing. They both agreed they were hurting, but they had long forgotten what a healthy husband-wife relationship looked like and were now considering trial separation. He had been referred to me to ask for my advice.
During our conversation, I could not shake the feeling that – despite the fact that their relationship had sunk to a very low point – there was definitely room for hope.
As I advanced some simple suggestions that could perhaps help in the readjustment process, I was suddenly struck with a strange thought. How about invoking the promise of the Zera Shimshon?!
The man had not heard of the Zera Shimshon, so I told him about Rabbi Shimshon Chaim, about his sefarim, and the remarkable promise he had made to those who study his Torah. I shared some accounts of people who had been helped in the merit of learning the Zera Shimshon.
When I suggested that he participate in the daily shiur, the man confessed that he would be happy to contribute to tzedakah, but learning was “just not his thing,” and he didn’t see how it would help.
I gently explained to him that spirituality and inspiration are keys to a happy and successful life, and we don’t always understand the mystical powers that exist in the world.
The man remained unconvinced, however I finally persuaded to make only a 40-day commitment to participate in the shiur. If it impacted him in any way that would be great; if not, he would move on.
I didn’t hear from him for a few weeks. However, one evening, after a shiur that focused on the words in the Eishes Chayil, the man called.
“There was something about your shiur today that just struck a responsive chord. I began to think about my own eishes chayil and was overwhelmed with a recognition of many of her wonderful qualities that had become buried because of our quarreling. I continued to contemplate this phenomenal change in my thought processes for a long while and felt compelled to let you know about this development. I must analyze this further.”
That shiur marked a turning point in his life and their marriage. After the 40th day, the man called back again to thank me for persuading him to join the Zera Shimshon shiur. Not only was he committed to the shiur, he was also committed to his marriage, and he wanted to dedicate a shiur in honor of his wife.