Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson tells a story that a young man shared with him. Growing up this boy had a hard time staying still in class, and school after school would tell him not to return. Exasperated, the boy’s father would punish the boy harshly in hopes that the boy would correct his actions. After the eighth school expelled his son, the father sent him to Israel because he could not deal with his son anymore.
Alone, the fourteen-year-old boy goes into the empty Slonimer shul in Bnei Brak where he sees a 95-year-old Jew davening. Little did this boy know that that was Rebbe Usher Arkovich. When he was done davening, the old man questions the young boy if it was late in the day, why he was not in school?
The boy, embarrassed replied, “I haven’t had luck in any school system. I was expelled from school after school, eight in all. My father sent me off to Israel. I am forlorn.”
The Reb Usher looked at the boy and said,” You know we say every day in Ashrei: ‘Lehodia livnei ha’adam g’vuratav u’chvod hadar malchuto—Hashem wants to tell people about His own strength and His own royalty.’ The great Chassidic master, the Maggid Lechovich gave another interpretation to this passuk. Hashem wants us to talk about His wisdom and strength so that we should tell a person of his strengths. Teach every person you meet his own strengths, glory and holiness.
G-d does not need our praises. When we list Hashem’s praises, we recognize Hashem’s ultimate wisdom and power. If G-d is perfect that means He did not make a mistake when creating you. Your creation is testimony that Hashem was making a statement by putting you in this world. The world is not complete without this person’s contribution! It is a mitzvah to make every person you meet aware of their g’vuratav—strengths. Whatever happens, never forget your own power.”
After six months later this boy was expelled again. He finally got into a tenth Yeshivah a half a year later he was asked not to return. At fifteen yours old, the boy was rejected from ten schools, and he had no father to call. He felt so alone, lost and broken from the world that he decided he would end his life. He climbed a tall building in Yerushalayim and paced on the edge of the roof about to jump to take himself out of his agony.
Suddenly, he had a flashback to the conversation he had with that 95-year-old man, Rebbe Usher Arkovich. He decided he would have to make himself aware of all his strengths before he could make the decision to end everything.
He climbed down from the building, got his life together, got married with kids, and built a successful business. Could Reb Usher have known that the impact of his words would save a young life from suicide. Do not be stingy with your words, embraces and compliments. Every soul is a manifestation of G-d in this world. Let every person you meet know about their strengths, beauty and amazing gifts.
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, may we all praise Hashem loudly for His miracles and kindness, both big and small. May we all take advantage of the great opportunity that Hashem is giving us for another year of life and sustenance. Let us also say thank You and be happy with all the blessings that Hashem bestows upon us!
Reprinted from the Parashat Ki Tavo 5784 email of Jack E Rahmey based on the Torah teachings of Rabbi Amram Sananes.
