<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">it is clear why the editor had to put
a priviso, before listing this dvar tora from r frand----</font>
<br>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td width=100%><font size=2><br>
</font>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td width=100%><font size=2><br>
</font>
<table>
<tr valign=top>
<td bgcolor=#ffffcc><font size=2><br>
</font>
<table>
<tr valign=top>
<td bgcolor=#ffffcc><font size=3 face="Arial"><b>Sign of Strength and Sign
of Weakness</b> </font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">Editior's preface: The following is presented
with the caveat that the exact context of Rav Elya Meir Bloch's statement
is not known, nor can one necessarily infer that what was said then is
necesarily applicable in our times. </font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">I saw an interesting observation from Rav
Elya Meir Bloch on the pasuk "And you will see - how is it? And the
people that dwell therein - are they strong or weak?" [Bamidbar 13:18]
</font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">Rashi says that the way the spies were supposed
to determine whether the inhabitants of the land were strong or weak was
by the type of cities they inhabited. Dwelling in un-walled cities indicated
that they were strong, since they relied on their strength, while living
in fortified cities was a sign of weakness. </font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">Our gut reaction would be just the opposite.
Our first thought would be that if they live in fortified cities, they
would be hard to conquer. Fortresses, we think, are signs of a mighty nation.
On the other hand, one would think that a nation that lives in a bunch
of tents would be defenseless, and easy to conquer. It should be a pushover!
</font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">No. Appearances are deceiving. If they need
to fortify themselves from the outside, it is a sign that internally they
are weak. On the other hand, if they have the confidence to live openly,
this is a sign that internally they are strong. </font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">Rav Elya Meir (I am not sure in what context
he made this remark, and it may seem to be a rather surprising observation
to be coming from the Rosh Yeshiva of the Telshe Yeshiva!) said that there
exists an old conflict as to whether it is better "to insulate"
or "to isolate." In other words, should a person surround himself
with walls to spiritually protect himself from the corrupting influences
of the outside world, or should he live openly and have contact with one
and all as a means of retaining spiritual vitality? </font>
<p><font size=3 face="Arial">Rav Elya Meir writes that people who insulate
themselves by building strong fortresses are not necessarily demonstrating
signs of strength. As Rashi points out, these fortresses may in fact be
signs of weakness. People who are internally strong have no need for such
walls. On the other hand, people who live openly and intermingle with the
rest of society must have an internal strength that allows them to preserve
their integrity without resorting to artificial barriers that separate
themselves from the allure of surrounding influences. </font></table>
<br></table>
<br></table>
<br></table>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
<br>
</font><font size=1 face="Arial"><br>
</font>