Rabbi David Ashear tells a true story in the name of Rabbi Zamir Cohen that sheds light on the subject.
As a young boy, Yosef decided that he wanted to go to public school after finishing 8th grade in Yeshivah. His uncle, who was a Rabbi, tried to convince him to remain in Yeshivah, but failed. Finally, after trying for so long they agreed to let him go. He went and made new friends, and liked the new situation.
One day, during a break, he went to meet his new friends. He saw three of them waiting a short distance away. When he reached them, one boy punched him, another knocked him down, and the third kicked him. What in the world was happening? The bewildered teen wondered.
He kept the incident to himself, hoping it would be a one-time episode. But the following day, the same thing occurred, and again the next day. He told his mother that he wanted to go back to Yeshivah.
Yosef eventually grew to love Torah learning and became a Rabbi. When his uncle reached retirement age, he passed on his position as Rabbi of a New York shul to his nephew.
Reminiscing About the Past
Years later, towards the end of his life, the uncle called Yosef over to speak to him. He told him how proud he was of the job he was doing leading the congregation, and then reminisced a bit about the past.
“You went to public school for a short time,” he said. “Remember?”
“Yes,” Yosef said. “I feel terrible that I did that.”
“What made you leave?”
Embarrassed, Yosef told him about the three bullies.
“I have to tell you,” the uncle admitted, “I paid those boys to beat you up. I couldn’t bear to see you throw your life away and get mixed up in their culture.”
Yosef was so appreciative, he kissed his uncle and whole-heartedly thanked him for saving his life, both in this world and the next.
This is similar to what Hashem does when we get too close to the nations of the world. He loves us and wants us to become the kings and princes that we are meant to be.
Reprinted from the Parshat Ki Tabo 5783 email of the Jersey Shore Torah Bulletin.
