Long Life

The gemara at the end of megilla [28] relates that Rebbi asked Rebbi Yehoshua ben Korcha in what merit he lived such a long life? He answered that he never gazed at the face of a rasha. [It also helps not to smoke, eat a healthful diet and to exercise regularly:-)].

Explained Rav Kook [who yahrtzeit is the 3rd of Elul]: Tosfos in Bava Basra [113a] says that "Korcha" is an allusion to Rebbi Akiva. Rebbi Yehoshua was then the son of Rebbi Akiva. Rebbi Akiva was involved in the revolt of Bar Kochba. Some of the soldiers were not such tzadikim. It would make sense that Rebbi Akiva gazed at them and his son Rebbi Yehoshua did so as well.

So Rebbi Yehoshua explained that he did not look at the reshaim and in that merit he earned long life.

Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook understood that his father was also alluding to himself. Despite trying hard to be mekarev reshaim, he nevertheless refrained from gazing into their face [it brings upon one a ruach hatumah - See Maharsha]

Lesson - Try not to gaze at reshaim. Try to gaze at tzadikim for added holiness.

לרפואת ישי דב הלוי בן נרי בתוך שח"י
ולזכות ישראל שאנן בן ברכה לאה שיזכה להישאר עם אמו