By Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn
The Manchester Rosh Yeshivah, Rabbi Yehudah Zev Segal (1910-1993), would often quote the Hasidic master R’ Mendel of Rimanov, who said that many times sweet and innocent children stray from the way of the Torah when they are older. “It is because of timtum haleb, numbness of the heart, which results from being given food that was purchased by their parents with money earned dishonestly.”
Rabbi Segal’s honesty was impeccable, as shown by the following incident. He was once on an intercity train on which the conductor passes through the cars to collect the fares. Rabbi Segal started his trip in the economy second-class section and paid his fare, but when rowdy fellow passengers made it difficult for him to concentrate on his learning, he moved to the first-class section.
Rabbi Segal was sure that the conductor would come through again and he would pay the difference for the upgraded seat. When he reached his destination, the conductor had not come through the first-class section, so Rabbi Segal went directly to the station agent to pay the difference. The agent told Rabbi Segal that it was not necessary to pay. Not satisfied, Rabbi Segal went to the stationmaster and paid the extra fare. As the Rosh Yeshivah left the booth, the stationmaster said, “That man is one in a million!”
The words we write or speak, the appointments we make, the business deals we devise, the emotions we display, are all opportunities for honesty and integrity (and very often showcases for Kidush Shem Shamayim, sanctifying Hashem’s name). We must be careful not to overlook these opportunities. (Excerpted from the ArtScroll book – “Echoes of the Maggid”)
Reprinted from the Parashat Vaetchnan 5785 email of Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace.
