Rebbetzin Chaya Sora Gertzulin
The Impact of Mitzvos
כי תפגע שור איבך או חמרו תעה השב תשיבנו לו
If you encounter an ox of your enemy or his donkey wandering, you shall surely return it (Shemos 23:4)
As made clear throughout the Torah, mitzvos are divided into three different categories: chukim, laws incomprehensible to the human mind; eidus, laws symbolically testifying and representative of an event or concept and mishpatim, laws rationalistically understood. While the category of chukim are beyond our comprehension, the Rambam (Hilchos Meilah 8:8) writes that it is fitting for one to contemplate their meaning to his utmost and strive to understand them.
One such example of an irrational law is that of keeping Kosher. While the Torah does not explicitly state the reason for this command, numerous rationales have been suggested in the hope that our appreciation of the mitzvah is enhanced. All kosher species possess distinct properties that Hashem wishes for us to inculcate. For example, no kosher animal is a predatory animal. It is this idea we are to be mindful of when consuming our food: those animals which are permitted are nonviolent and peaceful. Consciously being aware that we are forbidden to ingest animals with violent natures ingrains within ourselves feelings of compassion and kindness. Moreover, many kosher animals tend to travel in herds. The message embedded here is that of unity and harmony. Jews from all backgrounds and walks of life are to coalesce and form one cohesive unit.
The second category of mitzvos is referred to as eidus, testimonies. These mitzvos include eating matzah on Pesach, commanded in commemoration of the Jewish people leaving Egypt. With these commandments, we relive and connect to our past.
The third type of mitzvos is what our Parsha focuses upon. Mishpatim refers to rationalistic and ethical commandments which can clearly be understood and appreciated. Acting with kindness and justice, respecting elders, honoring parents and showing compassion to widows and orphans are just a few of the many mitzvos which make up the mishpatim. These mitzvos are certainly logical and would be carried out by any good-hearted individual, but that is not where it ends. For a Jew, even the mishpatim are meant to be performed because it is a commandment from Hashem.
Consider the rationalistic mitzvah of hashavas aveida, returning a lost item. Many people live by the motto, “Finders keepers, losers weepers.” They may view returning a lost object as a kind and altruistic gesture, but not something obligatory and worthy of going out of one’s way for. But the Torah teaches us otherwise. Even if one’s moral compass only dictates so much, when dealing with Hashem’s commandments, one is to make the extra effort and go the extra mile.
I remember one night being unable to fall asleep. Deciding to read, I began perusing through the different Jewish newspapers I had from cover to cover. After a while, I finally got to the point where I had read everything and all that was left was the Lost and Found section.
Looking through the various items lost, my eye caught one in particular: “Lost on 16th Avenue in Boro Park –Diamond Engagement Ring.” Thinking to myself “Oh, poor lady,” my heart went out for the woman. I could only imagine the heartache she was going through. That announcement was in The Jewish Press.
Then I looked at another newspaper, Yated Ne’eman, and again reached the Lost and Found section. Looking through the items listed, I was shocked with what I saw. “Found in Boro Park –Diamond Engagement Ring.” As soon as I saw that, I thought to myself, “Why don’t I make a shidduch (match) between the newspapers?” Unable to wait until morning, I immediately contacted each newspaper. “I don’t know the exact story behind it all,” I said, “but one ring was lost in Boro Park and one ring was found in Boro Park. I am led to believe that there is some connection between the two.”
Contacting both the one who had lost the ring and found it, a match was made between them. And indeed it was the ring. Soon thereafter, I received a phone call from both the finder and loser who said to me, “I don’t buy the other newspaper. Thank you so much. If not for you, I might never have contacted the other person.” As I myself had subscribed to both newspapers, I was able to make the connection.
This is what a looking to do a mitzvah can result in. Making even a small effort can go a long way and make a great difference in the lives of others.
But stories of returning lost objects are not a recent phenomenon; they in fact go back to the times of the Talmud.
The Talmud Yerushalmi (Bava Metzia 2:5) relates the story of Rav Shimon ben Shetach who suffered from abject poverty and struggled to make a living selling linen. His students encouraged him to leave the linen trade and purchase a donkey in the hope of faring better financially. Buying a donkey from an Arab, the students were astounded to discover a beautiful gemstone fastened to it. Informing Rav Shimon ben Shetach of the great news, they said, “Look what we found! Not only did you purchase a donkey, but also an exquisite jewel!”
Listening to the words of his students, Rav Shimon ben Shetach inquired if the Arab was aware that a gem was attached to the donkey. Responding in the negative, Rav Shimon ben Shetach said, “It isn’t mine then. I am going to return it to the Arab who I bought it from.” In taking honest measures to return the gem, Rav Shimon ben Shetach remained without the fortune. But that was because, explains the Gemara, he was more interested in hearing the Arab says, “Blessed be the G-d of the Jews” than receiving all the money in the world.
That is how we are to view the laws categorized as mishpatim. Not only are they ethical and beautiful, but they are Hashem’s mitzvos and therefore worth every effort and sacrifice. When we can adopt such a perspective, a grand Kiddush Hashem awaits to result.
Fast forward two-thousand years to November of 2013.
Rabbi Noach Muroff, a ninth-grade teacher at the Yeshiva of New Haven, one day decided to purchase a desk. Finding the desk he was looking for on Craigslist for $150, he ordered it.
After arriving at his home and attempting to move it through a narrow doorway, there was one problem: the desk did not fit through by just a fraction of an inch. With no other alternative, Rabbi Muroff and his wife began to dismantle the cabinet drawers and remove the top of the desk. And then came a surprise they would never have imagined.
Hidden beneath some drawers was a bag with $98,000 inside. While most people would have looked at this occurrence as the greatest deal of their lives, Rabbi Muroff and his wife had other plans. Instead of remaining $98,000 richer, they cashed the money in for a global Kiddush Hashem.
Contacting the woman from whom they purchased the desk, she told them that she had inherited the money and forgotten that she hid it away in the desk. And so, the next day, Rabbi Muroff and his wife along with their children returned the money to its rightful owner. Sending a worldwide message about the importance of honesty and integrity, the owner herself wrote to the family in a thank-you note, “I do not think there are too many people in this world that would have done what you did by calling me.”
From Rav Shimon ben Shetach to Rabbi Noach Muroff, the mitzvah of hashavas aveida accomplished much more than just reuniting an item with its owner. It sent a reverberating message about the beauty of a Torah Jew and the mitzvos which hallmark his life.
But the mitzvah of returning something lost is not limited to an object or animal. The Ohr HaChaim (Devarim 22:1) homiletically explains that underlying the Torah’s command to return lost objects is the mitzvah to return lost neshamos to our Father in Heaven. Those beautiful souls which are distant from Hashem are to be brought back home with warm love and care. And when we can achieve that, we can rest assured that Hashem will look down upon us with a smile and be filled with nachas that we are taking His mitzvos and changing the world one step at a time.
