The other day I heard someone say to a friend "Don’t just do something…sit there!"

It is of course a play on the usual phrase "Don’t just sit there…do something" What he meant was of course, don’t rush off and do things before you’ve sat down and thought the thing through.

For the Chareidei world the approach of the next Yom Tov, Shavuos is the event. HaShem states clearly, that the purpose of the Nissim and Exodus from Mitzrayim was so that we should become his Avodim. This process was completed at Har Sinai.

The Haggada echoes the Mishna when it says every generation is obliged to see itself as though it went out from Mitzrayim. Yet in fulfilling the Mishna’s requirement there is considerable room for depression. When we went out from Egypt we indeed stood at Mount Sinai, but we went on to make Aigol HaZohov.

If we are seeing ourselves as repeating the first part of the process might we not be in danger of repeating the second Chas V’Sholom?

Klal Yisroel’s mistaken calculations as to the time of Moshe’s return is well known. Rashi says the Soton showed them a vision of Moshe having been niftar and taken to heaven. They believed what they saw and went on to make the greatest mistake in Jewish history. Reb Chaim Schmulevitz zt’l explains why…they panicked!

When someone panics they loose control of the situation and they loose perspective.

An ability to remain focussed and in control is essential to the success of any individual Yied. It is essential to the Klal.

There is always a temptation to react immediately to any crisis. The Misillas Yeshorim quotes Yirimiyohu Ha Novi. It was knee- Jerk reaction as opposed to a Torah informed response that was the reason the Dor of Churban Bayis Rishon were unable to pull back from the brink of destruction. It was a generation who ran like a "Horse charging into battle" without considering the consequences of their Charge.

Yakov’s condemnation of Shimon and Levy for the destruction of Shechem focuses exclusively on their natures, which caused them to act impetuously.

Reb Yakov Kamenetzky zt’l wonders at Yakov Avinu’s solution to their fiery natures. Levi was to become the Priestly Shevet and Shimon should become the teachers. Two people accused of murder and the solution is for one to teach children (I actually knew a few teachers like that) and other to shoulder the Ruchnius of Klal Yisroel!

Reb Yakov explains that Yakov Avinu knew that if their passionate natures could be contained within the parameters of Torah, they could bring greatness to Klal Yisroel. There is no greater Chilul HaShem than a Rabbi who’s not Frum. There is no poorer teacher than one who is not passionate about what he is teaching.

Yakov Avinu’s prescription worked until the Petira of the last of the Shevotim. Yieden from every Shevet left Goshen and integrated into Egyptian society; every Shevet except Levi! Their fiery nature was maintained within a Torah environment. When we see it re-emerge, it is only at the invitation of the Godol HaDor, Moshe Rabbeinu when at the Aigol HaZohov he declared, "Mi LaHaShem Ailai?"

Shimon’s fiery nature was not contained within Torah. We see it re-emerge when the Nosi of the Shevet, Zimiri parades his Non Jewish Princess before Moshe and demands that she should be his. That is why it had to be Pinchas who executed Zimri. Someone from Shevet Levi whose nature was corrected by the Torah, repairing the damage of someone who did not allow the Torah to correct his.

But even here, Pinchas’ "Kanoius" is often misunderstood if we do not pay attention to the Meforshim. Rashi relates exactly what happened. Pinchas came and told Moshe that he remembered what the Halocho said should happen, a Kanoi may execute Zimri. Moshe replied that Pinchas should carry out the Halocho and then and only then did Pinchas act. He did not just "do something" he thought, asked and received the direction of the Godol HaDor first!

The problems facing Klal Yisroel in general and Anglo Jewry in particular are now reaching crisis proportions. The clash between secular and religious in the state of Israel is the problem "sine quo non" that faces its people. It is not just me saying so, poll after poll in Israel reveal a large majority of Israelis who say so.

The crisis in this country was referred to at the recent Agudas Yisroel Conference in Bournemouth and has taken the United Synagogue "Beyond the Pale."

A new generation of "Calf Makers" and "Zimris" are ready to bring further crises to Klal Yisroel.

But we must not repeat the mistake at Har Sinai. No Knee- Jerk reactions will solve these problems. The addition to Agudas Yisroel of the wisdom of the Gateshead Rov, Shlita and the Sunderland Rosh Yeshiva, Shlita comes at the right moment. It is never appropriate to charge into battle like a horse unconcerned with the repercussions of its actions. We must wait for the opinions and instructions of the Gedolei HaDor and we may act only when they say so and how they say so. It’s essential to remember the mistake of the Aigol Ha Zohov. Don’t just do something…sit there.