Asei Lecha Rav - Sulam 2026

The speaker opens by welcoming the audience and sharing a personal account of visiting the graves of tzaddikim in Poland, particularly the Sfas Emes and his grandfather the Kedushas Zion. He expresses gratitude for the impact of rebbes on his family's spiritual development, particularly Rabbi Geisler. The speaker then introduces a commentary from the Sfas Emes on the Torah portion regarding Gad and Reuben's request to remain east of the Jordan River. He initially presents the apparent contradiction: the Torah text emphasizes their material wealth (miknerah rav—abundant cattle) as the reason for staying, yet the Sfas Emes cryptically suggests their true motivation was a kinyan (acquisition/connection) in their Rebbe. Rather than viewing these as competing explanations, the speaker suggests they are complementary. The Sfas Emes teaches that material possessions and wealth are not inherently negative but can be understood as blessings flowing through the tzaddik. The speaker recounts a personal story about Reb Shlomo Gisler and his relationship with Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky, illustrating how submission to a rebbe's guidance supersedes personal preference. He emphasizes that Gad and Reuben were not making a spiritual compromise by remaining in their fertile lands; rather, they were fulfilling their unique spiritual mission by serving God through their particular circumstances and talents. The speaker argues that reading the Sfas Emes requires deep personal engagement—one cannot learn superficially but must connect to the author's intent and inner world. He concludes by suggesting that every person has a unique role and place in God's service, and that finding one's spiritual mission means integrating one's talents, resources, and circumstances with devotion to one's rebbe's teachings.