Chukas
The Gemara brings, even a father and son or a Rav and his student who are involved in learning in the gateway, they become enemies with each other, as it states, “כי ידברו את איובים בשער, when the enemies speak together in the gateway.” They do not budge from there until they become friends with each other, as it states, “אֶת וָהֵב בְּסוּפָה.” The Gemara darshins, don’t read it בְּסוּפָה, in the Suf, rather בְּסוֹפָה, in the end. Rashi explains, right before the words “את והב בסופה” it states, “בספר מלחמות ה’.” This hints about a war of Torah which is through a sefer, a holy book of Torah, that people learn together and fight for the truth. There will be את והב, which hints to אהבה – love, בסופה – at the end.
The Rosh HaYeshiva, HaRav Hutner zatzal says, at 1st glance it seems this Gemara comes to teach us the great power of the connection of love which is hidden in the Torah. The Torah guarantees that even with people who at 1st hate each other in their discussion and argue, they too, in the end will come to love. Despite the temporary hatred, the love of Torah will come and force them to love each other. He suggests a different explanation: the way to raise and kindle the love of Torah is by grounds of argument in the Torah. The peak of love will be reached when there is partnership in the Torah dispute, which will create a new thought together, by clarifying the truth. The Maharal says, through the conceptual thoughts of Torah, the Torah itself will bond and connect them back together. Similarly, the Gemara brings: when 2 Talmidei Chachamim sharpen each other in halacha by talking things over in order to understand, Hashem will make them successful, as it states “והדרך צלח,” read it וחדדך צלח, and your sharpening make successful. And they will rise to greatness, as it states, “צלח רכב, ride successfully.” The Maharsha adds: this is as we find by Yosef who was placed on a chariot and Mordechai on a horse; since they became great.
Once HaRav Ahron Kotler zatzal brought a rich person to Lakewood Yeshiva, and showed him chavrusos sitting together talking in learning. He was shocked at what he saw: 2 people were arguing back and forth loudly, looking serious, and who knows what the next step will be that one will do to the other. Rav Ahron said, “don’t worry, he is arguing for his life; he is fighting for his personal thoughts in Torah to be correct and accepted; he won’t harm the other person.”
The Chasan Sofer said a story about Rebi Akiva Eiger, when he brought his daughter, the tzadeikes Sarah, to marry her off to my grandfather, the Chasam Sofer, many great Talmidei Chachamim and regular people came out together to greet Rebi Akiva Eiger. He had a tremendous in-depth discussion with the Chasam Sofer and with the other Talmidei Chachamim. When the argument became intense, the people around were very astounded about this. Rebi Akiva Eiger said to them, “Don’t be startled or surprised, as this is the normal way of Torah. Even a father and son become enemies, as it states כי ידברו את אויבים בשער. After the argument, their friendship will return and it will become even more intense, as Chazal say “את והב בסופה.” He explained a passuk in Tehillim with this idea. It states, “כִּי הִנֵּה הַמְּלָכִים נוֹעֲדוּ עָבְרוּ יַחְדָּו הֵמָּה רָאוּ כֵּן תָּמָהוּ נִבְהֲלוּ נֶחְפָּזוּ רְעָדָה אֲחָזָתַם שָׁם חִיל כַּיּוֹלֵדָה.” כי הנה המלכים means, since behold the kings; this hint to Talmidei Chachamim, as Chazal say, “מאן מלכי רבנן, who rules? the Rabanan. עברו יחדיו, hints to עברה anger; they meet and gather together and this one fills up with anger against the other, and vice versa. המה ראו כן תמהו, they the onlookers, the regular people see and are astounded how can there be an argument amongst the Talmidei Chachamim? נבהלו נחפזו רעדה אחזתם שם חיל כיולדה, they become frightened and trembling takes over them from the sound of the screaming. People think there is indeed hatred existing between them. Don’t make a mistake, in truth these are as labor pangs like one who is giving birth, only for time, temporarily, and the love and friendship between them will return afterwards.”
Let us fight for the true understanding of Torah, and may we acquire a feeling of love.
