Rav Yosef Fund

In Kelm, during the month of Elul, they had a minhag to say the Orchos Chaim LaRosh line by line every day after davening. After the Alter, Rav Simcha Zissel, was niftar, his son Rav Nochum Velvel said that he’s thinking of discontinuing the practice. His reasoning was that in the days of the Alter of Kelm, they had a lot of attention and kavanah when they recited the Orchos Chaim, and it had a big impact. Nowadays, however, Rav Nochum Velvel felt that the yeshivah was saying it as a matter of rote, without the heightened level of kavanah. Therefore, the effect on the people was not the same.

Ultimately, Rav Nochum Velvel didn’t end the minhag, and the yeshivah continued saying the Orchos Chaim LaRosh daily during Elul. Rav Nochum Velvel was asked why he changed his mind. He shared that one day while walking, he noticed an ad for a certain brand of soap. The ad claimed that this soap was superior to all other soaps and therefore people should purchase only this brand. Rav Nochum Velvel saw this statement as highly exaggerated and ridiculous, and at that moment, he realized the power of marketing and advertising.

If a brand of soap can subconsciously convince people that their brand is better just because they read an advertising statement, then even if the words of the Orchos Chaim are said without thought, the impact of the words can likewise penetrate our minds and hearts.

Rav Hillel Zaks liked to repeat this story when discussing the pirsumei nissa of the neis of Chanukah. Every time a Yid walks down the street and sees menorahs burning, it has a positive impact on him. The kedushah of the neiros Chanukah enters his mind and heart even if he isn’t consciously thinking about it.

In a similar vein, Rav Aharon Kotler looked for opportunities to spread the light and kedushah of neiros Chanukah. Rav Moshe Heineman was a talmid in Beth Medrash Govoha in the days of Rav Aharon. Rabbi Heineman tells over the story of what Chanukah was like in Lakewood at that time. There wasn’t enough room in the dorm for all the bachurim, so he and a few others stayed in an apartment on Monmouth Avenue.

During Chanukah, Rav Aharon told this group of bachurim that they should eat supper in their apartment and light Chanukah lecht there. Rav Heineman says that Rav Aharon was concerned that there were no menorahs in that area of Lakewood; he wanted the neighbors to see and in turn be impacted by the neiros Chanukah.

We say in Krias Shema, “V’hayu hadevarim ha’eileh asher Anochi metzavecha hayom al levavecha.” The Kotzker explains that the words “al levavecha” emphasize the importance of the words of Shema being constantly on one’s heart, even if they don’t seem to be having an effect. The words should be sitting there, waiting for the right moment when the person’s heart will open and the message of the words can enter. When that happens, the impact is that much greater.

During World War II, the Brisker Rav and his family were escaping from Vilna. The danger was great, and they were fearful that they would be caught. The Brisker Rav instructed his family to focus on the meaning of the words “ein od milvado.” He told them that would help them make it safely across the border.

Sometime during the dangerous trip, they were stopped by a soldier who was suspicious of their activity. The Brisker Rav told his family that the soldier’s suspicion of them must mean that their concentration on “ein od milvado” was faltering.

The instructions of the Brisker Rav to his family echo the words of the Nefesh Hachaim. He states that it’s a wonderful segulah to establish (be kove’a) in one’s heart to say “Ein od milvado”; it can protect him from the evil actions of others. If one does so, then others won’t be able to negatively affect him.

Rav Elya Weintraub wonders how this is a special segulah, as we say these words three times every day in Aleinu. Rav Elya explains that the segulah is indicated in the words of the Nefesh Hachaim, who wrote, “K’she’adam kove’a b’libo…”—when a person establishes these words in his heart, it will impact him and in turn protect him.

May we be zocheh to be impacted by the pirsumei nissa of neiros Chanukah, and may we be zocheh that it should truly enter and be kove’a in our hearts!

Rav Fund is a dayan at the Bais Hava’ad and the rav of Bais Medrash Bais Aron Clearstream.