Parshas Vayechi

Liyluy Nishmas Elchonon Tzvi ben R' Yisroel Menachem.......... In this weeks haftorah the first two psukim say, "Vayikrivu yimei David Lamus Vayitzav es Shlomo bno laimor.  Anochi holeich lamus biderech kol ha'aretz v'chazakta v'hayisa l'ish."  Dovid tells Shlomo that he is going to die and Shlomo should be strong and become a man.  The Ralbag says that what Dovid meant by "V'chazakta v'hayisa l'ish," was that he should not act like a youth, rather he should act as an adult, as an "Ish Gadol," and be shaul eitzah from people.  The Rosh Yeshivah Ztl says, that we see from this Ralbag that what seperates an "Ish tzi'ir" from an "Ish gadol" is that a youth will rely on his own wisdom and will not ask people for advice ever, while a real man will seek advice and therfore be matzliach.  The youth believes he doesn't need any help, and by asking he is lowering himself down, and it's a pchisa in his kavod so its too hard for him to ask.  David Hamelech knew how great Shlomo was and how brilliant he was, but Dovid was afraid that in this nekuda, Shlomo would act like a youth and not ask for advice from others.  Therefore, in order to make sure that Shlomo's kingdom flourished David made sure to relay this message to him.  So many times we in our everyday life, whether it's in business or in learning, or in anything that we may need advice, we feel like we are too good to ask, as if asking belittles us.  We don't realize that that's far from the truth.  One who can bring themself to be shaul eitzah is far greater than one who can't.  It's the difference between an "ish Tz'ir" and an "ish gadol." It's what seperates the men from the boys...... Good Shabbos