A Story for Shabbat: The Fifth Part of the Shulchan Aruch: A Lesson in Sensitivity

In this week’s Torah portion, Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu to choose special people to build the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. These men had no formal training, yet they were filled with deep wisdom and extraordinary skill. This ability was given to them by Hashem as a reward for their good deeds. The Torah says, “And you shall speak to all the wise-hearted individuals whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Shemot 28:3). These were the builders of the Mishkan.

Generations later, the home of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer became a place where Torah and kindness met. It was a humble home but filled with greatness. Torah scholars from all over would come to ask him questions, discuss halacha (Jewish law), or seek his blessings and advice. Even great Torah leaders would stop by to learn from him.

One day, during one of these Torah discussions, a young man joined in. He offered a thought that added to the discussion. What he said was actually written word for word in the commentary of the Shach (Rabbi Shabtai Cohen), which appears on the Yoreh Deah section of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law). The Shach was known for explaining and clarifying the halachic rulings in a way that brought deeper understanding. The young man repeated the idea but didn’t mention that it came from the Shach.

Rabbi Isser Zalman immediately stood up and praised the young man with great admiration in front of all the Torah scholars present. “What a brilliant insight we just heard,” he said with great warmth.

The young man was very uncomfortable. He knew this wasn’t his own original idea, and he tried to say so, but Rabbi Isser Zalman wouldn’t let him. He kept on praising him, again and again, in front of all the great rabbis there.

After everyone left, Rabbi Isser Zalman turned to the young man with a knowing smile in his eyes and gently said, “My son, of course I knew it was from the Shach. But I also knew that you are an older bachur (unmarried young man), and I wanted to help you find a shidduch (a suitable marriage match). I used the opportunity, when so many great rabbis were here, to praise you. Now they’ll remember your name as someone who knows Torah.”

When this story was later told to Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, he was touched not just by the cleverness of the move, but by the selflessness of Rabbi Isser Zalman. He was even willing to appear as if he didn’t know a basic halacha in front of great Torah minds, all to help a young man find his future.

On a similar note, there’s another story that highlights this unique kind of wisdom, this time about Rabbi Baruch Frankel-Teomim, known as the Baruch Ta’am. He served as the rabbi of the town of Leipnik and was known for his deep Torah knowledge.

A young Torah scholar once came to him, full of confidence. He asked the rabbi to test him on all four parts of the Shulchan Aruch so that he could receive semicha, rabbinic ordination and begin serving as a rabbi himself.

The Baruch Ta’am tested him thoroughly. The young man passed with flying colors. He knew halacha and sources from the Talmud and the halachic commentators. The rabbi agreed he was worthy and gave him the certificate.

But just as the young man was about to leave, the elderly rabbi stopped him and asked, “Tell me, are you also familiar with the fifth part of the Shulchan Aruch?”

The young man looked confused. “Rabbi,” he said, “I’ve only ever heard of four parts!”

The Baruch Ta’am smiled and said, “The fifth part isn’t written down. It’s about knowing how to act with thoughtfulness and sensitivity toward others. Without that, all the other parts aren’t complete.”

This “fifth part” isn’t found in books but it’s found in the way a person lives, in how they speak, help, and treat others with care and respect.

That’s what makes someone not just a knowledgeable Jew, but a true Torah Jew.