A guest came to spend a Shabbos in Texas. On Friday he asked if there was a Mikva so he could go Lekoved Shabbos. When he was there another man walked in he didn’t look Jewish. He was wearing a large cowboy hat and a big necklace. The man thought to himself this must be a mistake. He couldn’t control himself. He turned to the man and asked him, “Who are you? What’s your story?”
The man smiled and asked him to kindly wait till he finishes.
When he was finished, the man with the cowboy hat offered the man a lift.
“I am sure you want to know what someone like me is doing here. Let me tell you my story. I was born in a little village in Romania. As a boy of eight my father took me for Shabbos to the town Vishnitz to spend Shabbos with the Rebbe, the Ahavas Yisrael. It was the only time in my life I was by a Chassidic Rebbi. There was a very large turnout. Hundreds or maybe even thousands of Chassidim were there and my father was very worried for my safety. When the Rebbi came into the Shul for the Tisch – the Friday night dinner, my father told me to go under the tables. There I would have space and could go to sleep if I became tired. So I slipped under the table. I wasn’t the only one. There were lots of children who were there just like me. It was very sweet. But the holy Rebbi was very special and kind and he made sure we all received Challa, fish and all the food he gave out at the Tisch. I felt like the Rebbe remembered I was there and he was making sure to look after me.”
“The Rebbe started speaking Divrei Torah at the table. I never understood what he was saying. I was only eight years old and the Rebbe was busy saying over his deep thoughts. But suddenly he started speaking very slowly and emotionally and I understood every word. This is what he said.”
“Listen very carefully my dear brothers. I want to tell you something very important and I want you all to remember it forever. There are moments in life where a person feels drawn to holiness and Mitzvos, to become closer to Hashem. But then the Yetzer Hara comes along and whispers in his ear, ‘I know you, I know what you did yesterday, and I know what you are going to do in a couple of hours from now. Who are you trying to fool? Be honest with yourself and don’t try to be who you’re not’.”
“The Rebbi stood up and shouted from the depths of his heart, ‘listen to me dear Jews, don’t listen to him. Tell the voice: leave me alone for five minutes! Let me forget my past for a moment, I’m not interested now. For these five minutes I want to be holy and close to Hashem!’”
“The Rebbi sat down and suddenly I felt his hand on my head. He looked at me under the table. He eyes were red from crying. He said to me, ‘did you hear what I said, my dear child, please don’t ever forget.’
“Two years later my parents moved to America. I never had much of a Jewish education; I live in Texas but don’t lead a Jewish life. But every so often something wakes up inside me and I feel an urge to become closer, to become holy, to connect. And then I hear the other voice the Rebbi said, telling me I shouldn’t be stupid, be honest with yourself. And then I remember the words of the holy Rebbi and I pull myself together for those few minutes like today, do the Mitzva; forget about the past and forget about the future.”
Rabbi Yisrael Hager zt"l
Grand Rabbi of Vishnitz
Author: Ahavas Yisrael
2 Ellul 5620 – 2 Sivan 5696
