„...Moshe Rabbeinu, may his merit protect us...”

"The more a person is elevated in his spiritual form, the more he feels the great value of the many, the community begins to live within him, in his heart and in the depth of his will he feels the many needs of the community, the great value of the life that pulses in the community as a whole, and it stands before his mind's eye as a single entity; he feels the concrete reality of the community, and is filled with boundless love and honor for it. And then he is elevated to become an ideal communal leader, his thoughts are sanctified with the holiness of the many, and his ethics are elevated to become righteous for the many." (Orot HaKodesh, Vol. III, p. 155)

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The more a leader grows spiritually, the more he "lives" the community, and he becomes a "public figure." The community becomes part of his day; the individual and the collective blend within him, and the good of the community becomes as important to him as his own good.

So was Moshe Rabbeinu, peace be upon him, who gave over his private life for the good of the community; so was Rav Kook, of blessed memory, for whom the entire community was as a son.

Rav Kook used to sign his letters "a servant to a holy people." The aspect of the servant found expression in his devotion to everyone who came to him. The people of the Rav's court saw the ceaseless stream of visitors to his home as an excessive phenomenon and hung a sign on his door with reception hours. To their astonishment, the sign they hung was taken down each time anew.

They hid nearby to catch the rascal taking down the sign, and discovered that the Rav himself was doing it. When they asked him the meaning of his actions, he answered them that a rabbi is a man of service, and he must be available to his master at any hour he is needed.

A pleasant day to all!

The illustration is from the book "Orot Bishvil HaAretz," illustrated by Adi David.