Posted on 05/12/23
Baltimore, MD – May 11, 2023 - Rabbi Rouben Arieh, Rav of Congregation Ohr Hamizrach, addressed the Toras Simcha middle school talmidim after Mincha today. He mentioned a fascinating Gemara that states a mother should daven to be blessed with a child like Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, otherwise she shouldn't have a child. How can we understand this?
The Mishna in Pirkei Avot quotes a dispute between Hillel and Shamai about whether the world is better with mankind, or perhaps it would have been better if man had not been created. The conclusion is that indeed it would have been better for man not to have been created. However, now that man has been created, he should be mindful of his actions and do Teshuva.
Nevertheless, since Hashem stated that the entire world was worth creating just so that there should be a Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, this is why a mother should pray for her son to be as great as Rashbi. If her son is as great as the Rashbi, then certainly man was worth creating, as Beis Hillel stated. Rabbi Arieh also highlighted the many writings from Rashbi, especially in the hidden Torah.
