Chanoch’s Greatness
“And Chanoch walked with Hashem, but he ceased to exist, because Hashem had taken him”.
Bereishit 5:24
Yalkut Reuveni quotes a Midrash that Chanoch (Enoch) would stitch shoes, and with each stitch he would align his intentions and say, “Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.” What was the meaning of Chanoch’s statement, and why did he say this while stitching shoes?
Chanoch did not craft shoes for his pleasure or personal gain. He was a shoemaker so he could supply for himself and make a livelihood. On the outside he appeared like a simple shoemaker, but inside he was deeply connected to the Torah and had a great fear of Heaven. Just like Hashem (God) runs the world in a hidden way, so too Chanoch. He emulated Hashem and hid his actions from others.
Bringing His Children Closer
Pituchei Chotam (to Shu”t Chatam Sofer) writes that Hashem wants us to bring others close to Him, even if that will stop us from studying Torah. So although Chanoch, who was like an angel, served Hashem in a concealed manner and reached incredible heights, one who works to bring merit to the greater community is especially beloved to Hashem. Therefore, our forefather Avraham (Abraham) reached an even higher level because he spent his life bringing others close to Hashem.
When counting the 613 mitzvot (Torah commandments), Rambam considers both learning and teaching Torah as one mitzvah; we learn from Rambam’s calculation that one cannot learn Torah properly without teaching it.
Furthermore, in the Laws of Torah Study (1:2) Rambam writes, “it is a mitzvah for each and every wise man to teach all students”. Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg zt”l explains this to mean that every type of Torah student, regardless of how much he knows, must share his knowledge with others.
Every Jew has something to offer. By sharing even a seemingly small drop of Torah wisdom with someone else, you greatly enhance their life and spiritual growth. Lets emulate our forefather Avraham by reaching out to others (Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch shlit”a, Ta’am Vada’at, pg. 27).
By Shmuel Simcha Sampson
Shmuel Simcha Sampson has been studying Torah in yeshivot in the New York area throughout his childhood, teen, and young adult years. Currently, he is enrolled in a program that focuses on studying Jewish law, in Yeshivat Ohr Reuven, in Monsey, NY. Over the years, he has enjoyed being a TorahMate and tutor for individuals from all walks of life.
