The great gaon Rabbi Yehuda Modern (1819 – 1893), sat bent over a Gemara. He was a student of the Chasam Sofer. Rabbi Yehuda was a genius, and by eight years old he was accepted into the yeshiva, and at 12 years old, he received his Semicha. He married and settled in the city of Siget, and became close the heilige to the Yismach Moshe. His Seforim are "Zichron Shmuel" and "Pri Ha'etz". [Yet,] he never received a Rabbinical position!
One summer day a sharp knock on the door interrupted Reb Yehuda’s learning. He opened the door, and he encountered a puzzling sight. At the door stood a man, his eyes were familiar to him, the face of a Jew, but his clothing that of the nobles of the Gentiles. His familiar eyes somehow prevented Reb Yehuda from slamming the door in his face.
He recognized a familiar look, that took him back many years. "Shamshon... is that you!?" The man nodded, "Indeed, Reb Yehuda. It's me." Reb Yehuda's soul traveled back in time, he remembered Shamshon, the "super genius" of the yeshiva, whose entire future was destined for greatness, with tremendous talents! What happened to a boy who was created for greatness?
Reb Yehuda's mind meditated, and in an instant, remembered an act that had happened, that was the key to this mystery. The conversation among the bochurim in Pressburg was about the level of the Chasam Sofer, as it was known that the Rov met periodically with Eliyahu Hanavi.
The students hoped they too will merit this. Those who were close to the Rov, went to ask for a bracha to see Eliyahu Hanavi! The Rov promised that he will attempt to satisfy them, and that they be ready! One day, while everyone were absorbed in learning, a poor man entered the Beis Midrash, dressed in worn-out rags, his back bent and his face furrowed with wrinkles.
He sat down in a corner, neglected. Most of the students were not even aware of what was happening around them, they did not even notice the entry of the stranger dressed in tatters. There were also those who glanced at him and immediately returned to their Talmud, and there were even those, including Shamshon, who mocked at his repulsive appearance. Only a few students, got up from their seats, approached the poor man, and shook his hand warmly with the greeting "Shalom Aleichem".
Suddenly, the Chasam Sofer entered, his eyes scanned the large hall sharply, and without waiting, he went directly to that poor man, took him by the hand and said to him, "Shalom Aleichem, my Rebbe!" He led the guest with all the honors into his room, where they remained together for a while.
When the Chasam Sofer came out, his face flushed, he gathered his students around him and asked: "Which of you gave 'Shalom Aleichem' to that poor man?" He was none other than Eliyahu Hanavi! Those who stood up and bestowed upon him honor, will be granted the privilege of teaching Torah and become Rabbanim! Those who ignored him, even though they were worthy in terms of their Torah, they will be withheld from a Rabbinical throne," and he continued in a unhesitating voice, "That small handful who who laughed at his appearance, those will fall from the straight path !"
Now Reb Yehuda began to understood everything. He looked at his old friend, and saw before him the fulfillment of their Rabbi's holy words as Shamshon was the instigators of the mockers!
"And now, Shamshon, where are you headed?" Reb Yehuda asked. "I heard of Rabbi Meir from Premishlan," Shamshon replied, "They say that he sees all of a person's actions. I am going to him to see if the truth is true. I have had my fill of the world's pleasures, my eyes have already seen everything... I have heard that Rabbi Meir sees in a person's soul all of his sins, my soul longs to see closely if the truth is true."
Reb Yehuda saw in his words a spark of remorse, a first reflection on repentance. "Shamshon," he said to him firmly, "I ask you one thing. Promise when you return from Premishlan, you will come back to me again, to tell me what you have seen."
Shamshon agreed. Several weeks passed. There was another knock on Rabbi Yehuda's door. Shamshon stood at the door again, but it was not the same man. His clothing was still foreign, but his posture was more stooped, his arrogance had subsided, his speech was moderate, and everything was filled with remorse.
With a sharp eye, Rabbi Yehuda noticed that this time, upon entering his house, Shamshon lowered his eyes, and with reverence for the holy place he kissed the mezuzah... Reb Yehuda did not need to ask anything. He understood for himself that the visit to the righteous man from Premishlan was the beginning of the ember of repentance that had already begun to whisper. Shamshon indeed returned to his roots in zchus of Reb Meiril.
Rabbi Yehuda testified about himself that he himself was one of the young men whose strength was strong in Torah, they did not bother to greet the man dressed in tatters who entered the yeshiva hall, Reb Yehuda noticed his entry, but his perseverance in Torah prevented him from getting up and giving Shalom to the guest. Hence, he never was able to receive a Rabbinical post. But he was a tremendous Torah Scholar.
When someone obscure enters a Shul, it might be Eliyahu Hanavi, and Blessed is the one who has given him peace, and restore peace to him, Hashem will bless His people in peace.
Reprinted from the Parshas Lech Lecha 5786 email of Pardes Yehuda.
