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Where Was G-d in Meron?

The Grief, the Silence, and the Unity

2 hr 2 min

Flash 90

Class Summary:

This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, 22 Iyar, 5781, May 4, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.

Please leave your comment below!

  • Anonymous -3 years ago

    Rabbi Jacobson:

    I and several friends listened after Shabbos with great interest to the Rav's Youtube shiur entitled "Where Was G-d in Meron?" The Rav's observations were spot-on and well received, with the exception of stories about two of those who perished.

    I refer to stories about the bochur who deceived his father regarding why he insisted on returning to Israel, revealing the truth only on the way to the airport; and the bochur who talked his father into sponsoring food for his friends by stating ominously "Hashem nosan V'Hashem lokach", the precise words said at the time of his own levaya a few days later.

    Because these stories are rather unflattering, it is difficult to understand why the fathers would relate them to anyone. But I am even more puzzled as to why the Rav chose to share them with the listening audience. Was there something redemptive about these stories that I missed? If so, I would greatly appreciate if the Rav could clarify the to'eles of sharing these stories with us.

    Respectfully submitted

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    • RY

      Rabbi YY -3 years ago

      Thanks so much for your candid feedback and comments.
      I repeated the stories for the same reason the father's shared them with me! They found them so telling of their unique quality of their children.
      In the first case, it was obvious how this young man felt such a deep connection with Reb Shimon bar Yochai, Lag Baomer, and Meron. The father did not see it as "deception," but as his son's profound longing to be Lag Baomer in Meron. Of course, he wanted to go back and learn in the Mir. But he so longed to be Lag Baomer in Meron, by Reb Shimon. Obviously, there was a deep soul connection with Reb Shimon, as there was with the other 44 holy souls who died in the "arms" of Reb Shimon.
      In the second case, this boy was a giver, loved feeding Jews, and loved feeding and taking care of other bachurim. When his father was apprehensive because of the credit car bill his son reassured him that it was Hashem's money, and whatever he spends he will get back. The father was beaming sharing with me about the generous spirit, the joy, the faith, the trust, and the pulsating life spirit of his beloved son.
      Yes, I thought both stories were inspirational and meaningful, just as the fathers did. 

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  • A

    Ari -3 years ago

    Moshiach now?

     Dear Rabbi YY

    Thank you for this wonderful Shiur.

    I would like to ask two question please, (the first has basically already been asked here by others).

    Question 1.

    How can we be so sure that what happened at Miron is to be taken in such a philosophical manner? If it is discovered that allowing so many people to converge on such a small area is in itself an act of deliberate carelessness, then maybe Hashem is simply saying that it is like walking into the road, towards oncoming traffic and then trying to figure out why Hashem allowed the person to die? 

    Question 2.

    I understand that the Rebbe said that the time is right for Moshiach to come now. 
    In fact yesterday I was reading from the Chofetz Chaim Al HaTorah on Parshas Bhar-B'Chukosi and I came across something very similar, in the notes #2 on

    וכי תשיג יד גר ותושב עמך... 

    התחיל לתבוע מהקב"ה את החוב שהוא חייב לעם ישראל......כמה זמן עוד נחכה..עד מתי

    My question is that how can you say we have already done Teshuva etc. and deserve that Moshiach should come now, when (besides looking at what we ourselves can improve on) if we look around, we can see many thousands of unaffiliated Jews who are still very far away from keeping Torah and Mitzvos as we are all commanded to do?

    Many thanks for your time.

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  • CNH

    c n halpern -3 years ago

    I humbly suggest to listen to Rabbi YY exploring this topic in depth - fascinating!

    https://theyeshiva.net/jewish/2676/the-emunah-series-basics-of-emunah-9-where-is-g-d-when-it-hurts

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  • Anonymous -3 years ago

    Thank you Rabbi Jacobson for your beautiful class, You really empowered me and lifted my spirits!!

    You are a true source of inspiration for our generation!!

    I bless you to go מחיל אל חיל  

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  • YS

    Yehoshua Samuels -3 years ago

    ואולי יש לומר שמפני זה נקראים "תולדות אהרון" בשעת ההדלקה...

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Women's Class with Q & A on Meron Tragedy

Rabbi YY Jacobson

  • May 4, 2021
  • |
  • 22 Iyyar 5781
  • |
  • 2227 views

Dedicated by Rabbi Asher and Dina Hecht in the loving memory of our grandmother Tonia Minkowitz, Tonna bas Peretz (Chein), in honor of her upcoming yartzeit on 26 Iyar. Yesod Shb’Yesod.

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