BELZER REBBE SPEAKS AFTER THE HOLOCAUST

BELZER REBBE SPEAKS AFTER THE HOLOCAUST

based on the droshos of HaRav  Moshe Sternbuch, shlita

“Then Moshe and the bnei yisroel sang this song to Hashem” (Shemos 15:1).

Rav Sternbuch heard from someone who was present there about the first tish held by the late Belzer Rebbe, Rav Aharon when he came to Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe asked how Moshe and the whole nation could have sung the shiras hayam joyfully after the majority of the nation had died during the plague of darkness (see above).

He answered that someone who lives with faith in techiyas hamesim knows that this world is only a temporary passage, and he will meet his relatives in the eternal afterlife. Such a person’s sorrow upon the passing of his relatives is not eternal. Hence, since the Jewish nation believed in techiyas hamesim, they could sing the shiras hayam joyfully, and that is what Chazal mean when they say that this possuk is the source of techiyas hamesim from the Torah (Sanhedrin 91b).

The Rebbe offered words of encouragement to those present and added that although his family members and thousands of his followers had been killed, since we believe in techiyas hamesim we must strengthen ourselves and joyfully sing to Hashem, thank Him for having been saved, and continue our avodas Hashem with joy and gratitude. Rav Sternbuch heard that the Rebbe’s fortitude and personal example had a profound effect on his followers.