Listening To The Wise

Rav Lipman Podolsky ztz"l on Parshas Devarim: [Sorry - for whatever reason it doesn't seem to be splitting up into paragraphs....]

"Reuven" recently returned from a physical examination, and described to his best friend "Shimon", in graphic detail, the involved prescription (a vast array of pills, a radical change in diet, a rigorous exercise program, etc.) given to him by his doctor. "Are you sure the doctor really wanted you to do all that?" Shimon inquired. Gravely, Reuven nodded.  "The problem is," confessed Reuven, "it's just too hard. I wish I had never gone to the doctor in the first place."    "I don't understand the problem. Just look for a different doctor, one who will go easy with you. I'm sure you can find a doctor who is willing to tell you what you want to hear."  The $128,000,000 Question: What's wrong with Shimon's reasoning?  "Provide for yourselves distinguished men, who are wise, understanding, and well known to your tribes, and I shall appoint them (Va'asimem) as your heads (Devarim 1:13)." The Medrash on this verse teaches a poignant lesson: "It is as if it is written 'Va'ashimem' (from the root Ashem -- guilty). Said Rabi Yehoshua ben Levi, Moshe said to them, 'If you do not listen to them (to your leaders), you will be held responsible for any undesirable consequences.' To what can this be compared? To a snake. The tail said to the head, 'For how long will you go first? I wish to go first!' Said the head, 'Go ahead.' He went, came to a waterhole, and threw himself in. He came to a fire, and threw himself in. He came to thorns, and threw himself in. Why did this happen? Because the tail went before the head. So too, when the Ketanim (those limited in Torah wisdom) heed the words of the Gedolim (sages), they (the Gedolim) issue decrees to Hashem, and He fulfills them. But when the Gedolim follow the Ketanim, they fall on their faces (Devarim Rabba 1:10)."  This is the all-important Midda of Emunas Chachamim (relying on the sages). In order for Klal Yisrael to function properly, in order for our nation to fulfill its mission in this world, the protocol of Torah authority must be observed. Spiritual anarchy results in destruction. Heeding the sages, even when their superior logic transcends ours, will insure that our actions always conform to the will of Hashem and thus result in maximum, productive growth. Ignoring their sage counsel, though, following the whims of the whippersnappers, will always conflict with Hashem's desire, and is therefore doomed to failure.  "Rabi Shimon ben Elazar says: If the youth tell you to build, and the elders (those who have acquired Torah wisdom) to destroy, listen to the elders, but not to the youth. For the building of the youth is destruction, while the destruction of the elders is building. The illustration for this is Rechavam the son of Shlomo (Nedarim 40a)."  What happened regarding Rechavam? Let us hear it from the prophet himself. "Rechavam went to Shechem, for all of Yisrael had come to Shechem to make him king...   "Yeravam came, along with all of the Congregation of Yisrael, and they spoke to Rechavam, saying: 'Your father made our yoke [of taxation] difficult; now, you alleviate your father's difficult workload and his heavy yoke that he placed upon us, and we will serve you'...   "King Rechavam took counsel with the elders, who had stood before his father Shlomo while he was alive, saying: 'How do you advise; what word to respond to this people?' They spoke to him saying: 'If today you become a servant to this people and serve them, and respond [favorably] to them and speak kind words to them, they will be your servants all the days.'  "But he ignored the advice of the elders who had counseled him, and he took counsel with the youths with whom he had grown up, who ministered before him. He said to them, 'What do you advise?'... They spoke to him, saying, 'This is what you should say to this people... My father saddled you with a heavy yoke; I shall add to your yoke! My father chastised you with sticks; I shall chastise you with scorpions'... All of Yisrael saw that the king did not listen to them, and the people gave their response to the king, saying, 'What share have we in [the House of] David? [We have] no heritage in the son of Yishai! Back to your homes, O Yisrael! Now see to your own house, O [kingdom of] David!' (Melachim I 12)"  The prescription was clear, albeit unpleasant. Rechavam opted to seek out a doctor who would tell him what he wanted to hear, rather than take the proper steps to insure his, and his nation's health. Instead of building, Rechavam wrought destruction. To this day, we are still paying the price. Torah is life. The Gedolim are doctors of spirituality. Just as by medicine, the prescription must be followed. Seeking leniencies from doctors who are willing to tell you what you want to hear may be easier and more convenient. But it will not produce life.  And life is everything.