Leaving shul on Motzaei Shabbos, Parashas Toldos 5783, Mr. Rothenberg, an older individual, approached me to ask if he could partake in our Havdalah. He’d been visiting my neighborhood that Shabbos, and we gladly invited him. After reciting Havdalah, he relayed, as is the custom of many Chassidim, some inspiring stories.
One of his many stories was an event that occurred some 150 years ago. When his great-grandfather was returning to Warsaw from the marketplace, he saw a group of gangsters coming his way — and he knew why. They’d come to raid him of the diamonds he’d just purchased. An encounter with them could’ve been life-threatening. Standing alone before a group of bloodthirsty criminals didn’t leave him with too much hope.
If he wanted to walk away with any of his possessions, he’d have to come up with a solution — and quick. The first thing he did was to release a heartful tefillah that Hashem save him. Hashem would be his only chance of survival. Soon after he davened, suddenly Hashem gave him the following plan of action: “If I criticize them, I stand zero chance, so instead I’ll try complementing them. That might melt their hearts enough so that they won’t milk me dry.”
With that, he turned to the head gangster and remarked, “You are so caring for your group! You’re a good person, and you must have good reason for ambushing me! How much money do you need? I am happy to help you out.”
The leader looked at him strangely. Then, with somewhat of a softened heart, he said, “I need a mere 1,000 kopeks to supply my gang with ‘drinks’ for the night. That’s how much it’ll cost me!”
“I’m happy to provide you with the whole amount,” replied Mr. Rothenberg. He stretched his hand deep into his sack and shelled out the total amount with a smile.
The next day, there was a knock on his door. When Mrs. Rothenberg saw a broad-shouldered man standing there, her heart skipped a beat. She had no idea who he was. When the visitor insisted on speaking with Mr. Rothenberg, she hesitantly called him to the door. Mr. Rothenberg started to tremble. When he saw that the man was the gangster he’d encountered just the day before, he asked him, “Did I not supply you with enough money yesterday?”
“You did,” the gangster said. “I’ve come here to return the change!”
“What change?” asked Mr. Rothenberg.
“Last night’s event cost me only 800 kopeks, not 1,000, so I’m back here to return the change.” He handed over the money to Mr. Rothenberg, who was so touched by what was happening that he just stood there in complete silence.
Then, even more surprising, the gangster started crying. “I grew up as an observant Yid,” he told him. “Yet at a young age, I left the fold. No Yid wanted to hire a reject like me, so I soon found myself caught up in the mafia — the only ‘place’ I could get a job. After working for them for several years, I was appointed as their leader. Last night was the first time in my life that I received a compliment. When I heard your words, they loosened my heart, and that’s why I let you off the hook with only a minimal amount. And today I’m here, returning your change — something that I can guarantee you nobody ever gets from the mafia!”
With those few simple complementary words, Mr. Rothenberg changed the age-old mindset of the gangster and caused him to have mercy on him to an incredible degree.
