The articles in this column are transcriptions and adaptations of shiurim by Rav Joseph Ber Soloveitchik, zt”l. The Rav’s unique perspective on Chumash permeated many of the shiurim and lectures he presented at various venues over a 40-plus-year period. His words add an important perspective that makes the Chumash in particular, and our tradition in general, vibrant and relevant to our generation.
This week’s d’var Torah is dedicated in memory of Mrs. Yetta Moritz, a”h..
The Torah tells us that Shem and Yefes took an article of clothing, placed it on their shoulders and covered their father. The Torah uses the singular, Vayikach, and he took, referring to Shem who took the initiative to act. Yefes merely followed Shem. Rabbi Yochanan said that because Shem took the initiative in this mitzvah and [this led] Yefes to join with him, Shem was rewarded with Tallis [and Techeles] while Yefes was rewarded with the toga (Midrash Rabbah 36:9).
Each of Noach’s sons displayed a different attitude towards their father. Cham was always looking for the shortcomings of his father, Ervas Aviv. Cham disdained his father for drinking wine and becoming intoxicated. He did not allow his father the benefit of relaxing a bit after all he had been through, saving his family and all that was in the ark with them. He never saw eye to eye with his father.
Yefes was not concerned with what was right or wrong. He was more interested in conforming to the current convention. His motivation to act was not borne out of an internal desire to perform acts of kindness. Rather it was because at that moment it appeared to be the proper thing to do. [He might have acted differently if the situation arose at another time.]
Shem, on the other hand, had an ingrained sense of kindness and love towards his father. Shem realized that everything he is and has is because of his father. The Gemara uses Dama Ben Nesina as the example of extreme Kibbud Av, who was willing to forego a fortune rather than wake his father to retrieve the key hidden under his father’s pillow. Why did the Gemara have to harp on the aspect of the key that was under his father’s pillow? Why didn’t the Gemara simply say that the key was unavailable? Dama Ben Nesina rose to become a member of the Roman senate. Yet, he realized that whatever he became was because of his father. The “key” to his success was under his father’s pillow, by respecting and honoring his father. True Kibbud Av is when a son, no matter how great he may become, respects his father and acknowledges that all he has is because of his father.
Shem realized that he owed his existence to his father who brought him into the world. He realized that he now had an even greater debt towards his father, the Tzaddik Tamim, who saved him from the flood. One must realize that he stands on the shoulders of his parents.
Ramban says that even though he argues with the Baal Halachos Gedolos (Behag), he does not claim to know more than the Behag. He compares himself to a midget who stands on the shoulders of a giant and who thus has a slightly better view than that which the giant himself enjoys. This is made possible because of the foundation that the giant has provided him.
One must feel the same towards his father. This is also the concept of Talmid Chaver. The student knows more because he has also benefited from the foundation his teacher [and all the previous generations of teachers] provided for him.