An old friend of the Koznetz Maggid, the Avodas Yisrael, once paid him a visit. Growing up, they had been known as the smartest and the most respected boys in their class. They had been very close friends, but over the years, they’d lost contact. Now that something was bothering this friend, he felt it was time to visit the Maggid and get his advice.
Before their meeting, the friend inquired from others about his friend, the Maggid, to know a bit about what had become of him since they parted ways many years ago. He learned that the Maggid had been granted outstanding siyata d’shmaya in his growth, that he was sought after by all, and that he could perform mofsim that helped people tremendously. Hearing all this brought out feelings of envy in the Maggid’s old friend.
When they met, the Maggid could detect a certain air of jealousy on his friend’s part. Amidst their conversation, the Maggid slipped in a mashal to explain what made them different, and thus why the Maggid had grown so remarkably:
One of the hobbies people enjoy is mountain climbing. They go to the foot of a high mountain and try to make their way up to the top. Unlike today, when mountain trails are marked and established, real climbers then had to chart for themselves the way, sometimes having to climb steep, rocky cliffs to pave the path.
So, picture two friends, both with the same physical shape and capability, heading out for such a climb. Both are determined to get to the top. Yet, after half an hour into their climb, one decides to give up, while the other perseveres and ultimately makes it to the top.
What was the difference between the two? Was the one who made it to the top stronger than the other? Was he more determined? Not necessarily! If so, in what way do they differ?
The difference between the two, said the Maggid, lies in their approach. One of them was always looking for the safe, sturdy branches to support him as he climbed, while the other one used anything that would get him higher. The one who looked for the steadfast branches was at a loss when he encountered shaky ones; he felt he didn’t have what he needed to make it to the top, and he gave up.
But the one who looked for anything that could get him higher found success no matter what. Whether it was a branch, a twig, or a shaky rock, he grabbed it and used it to advance. He didn’t only use the secure branches to get him to the next level. Whatever came his way served him in his journey, and he was therefore able to make it to the top, since he had much more to support him.
Life has ups and downs, the Maggid continued. Those who only use the ups face a problem. What are they going to do when they face a down? How are they going to proceed? Are they just going to throw in the towel?
The one who uses even the days that so-to-speak “don’t work out” and don’t get down from them are the ones who’ll continue, even during those times. Keeping up their growth during those times will ensure that they are always growing.
“This is the underlying difference between us,” the Maggid told his friend. “I cherish the down days, while you throw them away and don’t use them productively.” (Tiv Hamasios, Bamidbar, p. 18, 20)
In another place (Parashas Masei), the Avodas Yisrael elaborates on the importance of studying Torah on these days. "Although we should be sad on these days and mourn the churban Beis Hashem, nevertheless, we must be strong and purify our hearts to serve Hashem through Torah and tefillah with joy, especially when offering praises to Hashem [such as pesukei d'zimra and the like].
This can be explained with a mashal. It is the way of a human king to possess many things that can make him happy – singers, drums, dancing, flutes, and harps. When the king is happy, he doesn't need the singers and musicians. He is happy without them. However, when he is sad, he calls for his musicians to sing and play before him and to make him happy. The nimshal is keviyachol with Hakadosh Baruch Hu. The malachim in heaven sing and praise Hashem; however, at the time of the churban, there is sadness in the outer chambers, and someone who cares about Hashem must strengthen himself and enter the inner chambers to shed from himself all sadness, and make the honored King happy."
So, these are days to study Torah and to daven to Hashem with joy. This is a time when we need to, keviyachol, bring joy Above.
During the Holocaust, people were amazed to see Rebbe Pinchas of Ustila zt”l (the son-in-law of Rebbe Yissacher Dov of Belz zt”l) learning Torah with immense hasmadah. How could he put aside all the pain and devastation and delve into Torah study?
He replied, "People asked my father-in-law this same question during World War I. People couldn’t understand how he had the peace of mind to study Torah then. He explained that during hard times it’s even more important to study Torah. The Mishnah says, 'When a person is in pain, the Shechinah says, 'My head hurts. My arms hurt,' which means Hashem suffers together with us. We live in a time when Klal Yisrael is in distress, and Hashem is certainly suffering together with us. It’s our obligation to make Hashem happy, and nothing brings more joy to Hashem than a Yid studying Torah."
