I don’t think there was anyone I ever met before that emulated our Creator like Rabbi Silberman Zt”l. As I was praying Shemone Esrei during Mincha today tears streamed down my face as I thought of how lovingly Hashem sent His messenger to do such kindness with me and everyone else:
- גומל חסדים טובים – He bestows acts of good kindness. Who like Rabbi Silberman emulated Hashem to the point that every time he did something for me, he made me feel like I was the one doing Chesed for him, like I was the one doing him a favor? Is it Hashem that needs our sacrifices, our mitzvos, our prayers, our Torah learning, our acts of kindness, our connection with Him? Obviously not! Who is the one that benefits here? Obviously us! We are the ones getting the pleasure of feeling connected with Him. We are the ones living with Him with every detail of our life. We are the ones getting the reward in the next world and earning eternal pleasure. We are the ones that will be resurrected in the future, God willing. Then how is it that Hashem makes us feel like we are the ones doing for Him?!
For a very long time Rabbi Silberman would walk almost every morning all the way from his house in borough park to a shul near my house in flatbush. He would call me on the way and encourage me to get up. He did this just for me, he knew how much I wanted to daven Vasikin and fight my Yetzer Hara for sleep. Rain, snow, cold, he was there for me no matter what. We would daven together and then learn Maseches Brachos. I don’t know how he did it but some how he convinced me that I was doing him a favor by learning and spending time with him. He gave me attention like I was the only important person in the world.
Hashem told Moshe: דַּבֶּר־נָ֖א בְּאָזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וְיִשְׁאֲל֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ ׀ מֵאֵ֣ת רֵעֵ֗הוּ וְאִשָּׁה֙ מֵאֵ֣ת רְעוּתָ֔הּ כְּלֵי־כֶ֖סֶף וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָֽב (שמות יא:ב) – Please, speak into the ears of the people, and let them “borrow”, each man from his friend and each woman from her friend, silver vessels and golden vessels. Hashem pleaded for us to take the cruel Egyptian taskmasters’ money right before He took us out of their land of slavery. He even made it a command for us in order that we receive even more reward for fulfilling the command. (Chasam Sofer) What’s more, when Moshe begged Hashem later on to forgive us for the sin of the golden calf he said: “Master of the universe, the silver and gold that You gave them caused them to sin”. Hashem begged for us to take the money so that Moshe will later on have this winning defense for our own sins. (Torah Temimah)
Hashem says אֶת־קָרְבָּנִ֨י לַחְמִ֜י לְאִשַּׁ֗י רֵ֚יחַ נִֽיחֹחִ֔י תִּשְׁמְר֕וּ לְהַקְרִ֥יב לִ֖י בְּמוֹעֲדֽוֹ (במדבר כח:ב) – My offering, My food for My fire offerings, a spirit of satisfaction for Me, you shall take care to offer to Me at its appointed time. (Today, the Shemone esrei prayer is instead of the daily offering and is the way we serve Him and connect with Him until Moshiach comes). But does Hashem actually need our offerings or our prayers?! We get atonement, we get love, connection and infinite reward! Hashem says: תּֽ֝וֹרָתִ֗י אַֽל־תַּעֲזֹֽבוּ (משלי ד:ב) – Please don’t forsake my Torah. (See Brachos 5a) This is true kindness – when the beneficiary does not feel like he is the one receiving the kindness since the Benefactor is so genuine in His will and desire to give. So was Rabbi Silberman as He emulated our ultimate Benfactor! - מכלכל חיים בחסד – He sustains the living with loving kindness. Who like Rabbi Silberman emulated our Sustainer looking after our basic needs. Be it food, clothing, love, attention or spiritual connection. He was there for us. He knew what we really needed. He truly sustained us.
- סומך נופלים – He supports the fallen. Who like Rabbi Silberman emulated our Supporter in our lowest times, always supporting us with a warm smile and kind words. Always positive no matter what. Always assuming the best in us.
- ומקיים אמונתו לישני עפר – He maintains His confidence with those who sleep in the dust. We were all sleeping in the dust for some part of our life. Who like Rabbi Silberman emulated our Steadfast Savior, always maintaining confidence in us that we can and will do our best even when we felt like we were worthless, lower than the dust of the earth. Whenever I was with Rabbi Silberman he brought out this inexplicable glow in my eyes. He saw through all of my layers, looking right into my soul. I felt like I can become the holiest person in the world and reach my full potential. It was his extreme holiness, positivity and humility that brought this out of me. We will all truly miss Rabbi Silberman.
May we all merit to reach our full potential with the help of Hashem, our true Father in heaven, emulate our Creator and merit the resurrection of the dead and once again experience the holiness and proximity to our beloved Rabbi Silberman, ר’ חיים דוד הירש בן גדליה יוסף זצ”ל
Shimmy B