Rav Nachum from Czernobol was moser nefesh to collect money for pidyon shevuyim. Once, he himself was thrown into prison for no reason. When word got out, people were shocked – how could it be that this tzaddik was punished in this way when he gave his heart and soul to free people in this very situation? Even the Rebbe himself cried and asked Hashem to reveal why he was punished in this manner. One day a Tzadekes came to the window of the cell where he was imprisoned and told him the following:
Avraham Avinu was moser nefesh his entire life for the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim. His tent was open for all and he gave them whatever they needed. In spite all of this, Hashem commanded him to leave his house and wander. Why? Hashem wanted that Avraham Avinu should turn into a guest so he would understand what it means to be a guest. The experience of being a guest would enable Avraham Avinu to do hachnosas orchim at an even higher level than before.
The woman told the Rebbe that since he had always been involved in the mitzva of pidyon shevuyim, Hashem wanted him to experience firsthand what it means to be a captive. This would enable him to truly feel the pain of those in prison and once released, he will exert himself even more to help those unfortunate people. After the woman finished what she had to say, she said, “The time has come for you to leave”. The woman then revealed to the Rebbe that she was none other than Sara Imeinu, and then she disappeared. That very same day, the Rebbe was freed.
The Tzror Hamor explains that through the mitzva of shmita, Hashem wanted that we should understand the feelings of a poor person who’s lacking the basics. A farmer who always has food will never understand the plight of a poor person. Therefore, Hashem commanded us that once in seven years we must cease to work our fields. As our fields lie fallow and there’s no steady income, we can now understand our poor friends who never know where their next meal will come from.
The Ben Ish Chai tells a mashal that illustrates this point. There was once a king who had an only son. The king knew that one day his beloved son would take over the kingdom, and so he hired the very best teacher to provide the prince with the best education. The teacher worked hard, day after day, ensuring that the young prince was gaining all the knowledge he would need to succeed as a king. Years went by, and one day the teacher informed the king that his mission was completed successfully; the crown prince learned all that he could and was ready now to lead the country. The king tested his son and was extremely satisfied. He praised the teacher for a job well done and offered him a position in education in his kingdom. The teacher joyfully accepted the position. However, before taking leave, he told the king that he wished to give the crown prince one final, parting lesson. He took the prince to his home, where he tied him up and whipped him. Then, he untied him and sent him back to the palace.
Understandably, the king was furious upon hearing what had happened and sentenced the teacher to death by hanging. Just before they led him to the gallows, the king asked him, “What were you thinking? Why did you beat my son?” The teacher explained: “I wanted to teach your son a most important lesson before he becomes the king. I wanted him to know how it feels to receive lashes, so that when he punishes someone, he will punish fairly. It would be impossible for him to do so unless he himself experiences the pain that he will inflict on others. And the only way to teach this vital lesson to the prince was by having him whipped.” The king was impressed by the wisdom of the teacher and he annulled the death penalty.
The nimshal, says the Ben Ish Chai, is that Hashem commanded that every seventh year, a farmer is not allowed to work the field. He now feels the pain of a poor person and his heart is opened to give to the needy. If he always has fields bursting with produce and his coffers are always overflowing, he won’t be able to empathize with the poor and will be reluctant to share with them. Through the mitzvah of shemitah, the farmer learns to be sensitive to the needs of the poor and to give to them generously.
There was once a Rav who was collecting money for wood to heat up a poor man’s home. He knocked on the door of an extremely wealthy man who welcomed him inside his warm home to talk. However, the Rav insisted on talking to the g’vir outside, in the frigid weather. He kept him outside in the cold for a long time so the wealthy man should experience what it means to be cold. In that way, he convinced the wealthy man to donate generously to the cause.
Of course, we can always sympathize with a person in pain and try to alleviate their distress. But you cannot compare sympathy to empathy. Put yourself in their shoes and only then will your heart truly expand to feel their pain and help them accordingly.
