Presents for Presence

It was Yom Yerushalayim. The synagogue hall was packed with teenage boys who had come to hear well known lecturers speak about the special day. The boys sat, fascinated, taking in the words of the speakers.

Yosef, the organizer of the program, took in the scene with satisfaction. He had put a lot of effort into this – arranging a venue, finding speakers, advertising the event. Yosef knew that, as good as the lecturers were, he would need some kind of perk to get the teenagers to walk in the door. Therefore, the notices advertising the event stated that all participants would receive a prize.

As Yosef looked around the room, he noticed something odd. As the lecturer spoke, every boy in the room sat with his eyes focused on the speaker, as he told his fascinating, emotion packed tale. Every boy – except one. There was one boy in the corner who sat staring vaguely at the notices hanging on the wall.

Yosef couldn’t believe it! Throughout each speech, the scene repeated itself. These were highly skilled, well known speakers. All the other boys in the room seemed so excited to hear one speech after another. And this kid sat there, throughout the whole program, showing no interest whatsoever. What was going on?

When the last lecture ended, Yosef announced “Thank you all for coming! You can get your prize at the door, as you leave.”

All of the boys got up to leave. Yosef had positioned a table next to the door, stacked with a variety of Jewish books. He watched as each boy contemplated the selection, and picked one book for himself.

Yosef noticed the boy who had caught his attention before. The boy approached the table, and began looking at the books. Yosef decided that he had to find out why this boy had seemed so apathetic throughout the entire program.

“What’s your name?” Yosef inquired.

“Chaim” the boy responded. It was difficult to miss Chaim’s American accent.

“How did you like the program?” Yosef asked.

Chaim looked puzzled for a moment. “Sorry. What did you say?”

Now it was Yosef’s turn to be confused. “Do you speak Hebrew?” he asked.

“A little,” explained Chaim. “My family moved here a month ago.”

So that explained it. Chaim had no idea what was going on!

“So why did come here, if it’s hard for you to understand Hebrew?” stammered Yosef.

“I thought I would understand more, but it was just too hard for me” Chaim explained.

“It’s great that you wanted to come learn.” Yosef paused. “I’m not sure if I can give you a book, though. The books were donated by a friend of mine, in memory of his father. The donor gave the books to me to give out to boys who participate in the program. If you didn’t understand the speeches, I don’t know if you’re allowed to get a book.”

Is Yosef correct? Or should Chaim get a book anyway, because he attended the program, even though he didn’t understand anything?

Answer of Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, shlita:

Yosef must give Chaim a book, for two reasons:

1) The advertisements did not stipulate that participants must understand the lectures, in order to receive a prize. Therefore, anyone who attended is entitled to a prize.

2) It’s possible that Chaim’s attendance, alone, contributed to the event. It strengthens others in their Torah learning, when they see that many people came to the lecture. Therefore, it seems that the donor would agree that Chaim should receive a prize.