Back in the day, travel was very different than today. To cross the ocean, one needed to travel by boat, which was much more of a risk to one’s life than our airplane travel nowadays. They didn’t have satellite navigation or secured boats that we have. Simply put, sea travel was dangerous.
The ship ride R’ Mendel of Vitebsk was taking to Eretz Yisrael was drawn out longer than expected. The original plan was to land at their destination prior to Rosh Hashanah, allowing him to daven on Rosh Hashanah with yishuv ha’daas in the Holy Land. However, during the trip, the captain informed them otherwise. Understandably, as any Yid would do, R’ Mendel wasn’t thrilled about the change, but he accepted the will of Hashem happily.
Days before Rosh Hashanah, he made great preparation and was highly anticipating the great day and the special mitzvah that he’d be fulfilling — tekias shofar. His enthusiasm was building, despite the setting he was facing.
As Yom Tov arrived, great waves started to revolt against the boat. The ship was being thrown from side to side. The sailors warned the passengers to expect the worst, but R’ Mendel, with his steadfast emunah, held strong. He davened that even if Hashem wanted to take them to the Next World, he would at least hope he would withstand until the morning so that he could blow the shofar.
At the crack of dawn, B”H the ship was still intact, and he, with great gevurah, excitedly took the shofar, made the brachos, and blew it. To everyone’s surprise, as soon as he blew the shofar, the storm settled, and the R’ Mendel and all the passengers were saved from the great danger.
Standing at the podium, in front of a large crowd, R’ Arieh Schechter clarified a misconception. One shouldn’t think that the reason why R’ Mendel eagerly wanted to blow the shofar was merely so that it could calm the storm. On the contrary! R’ Mendel had asked Hashem for the storm to be postponed all in order that he could fulfill one last mitzvah before his petirah. After fulfilling the mitzvah, it triggered for him a zechus that would ultimately subside the storm, but primarily what he yearned for was simply to fulfill the mitzvah. That was his dream that came true.
B”H, we are privileged to perform endless mitzvos. Let’s take a glance at their beauty and appreciate them.
