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 doing 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)
