A powerful story illustrating this concept is related in the sefer Sippurim Nifla'im. In a small village, there lived a Chassid who earned his livelihood by operating a tavern. Despite his occupation, being surrounded all day by simple folk, he led a life of piety and devotion. Every night, he would arise at midnight to say Tikkun Chatzos, mourning the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. He would then spend several hours studying the holy seforim such as Zohar, Mishnayos, Gemara, and recite Tehilim until the break of dawn. His Tefillos were filled with passion and fervor, reflecting his deep connection to Hashem.
Only after completing his early-morning prayers would he begin his work at the tavern. Throughout the day, he would serve the village peasants who would come to drink away their sorrows. He was known for his kindness and generosity. His conduct in matters of charity and hospitality was exemplary, and his reputation spread throughout the village. He was respected by all who knew him. His house was always open to guests, and he would give generously to the poor and needy who passed his threshold.
As he grew older, he began to reflect on his life and asked himself, "What is the purpose of spending my days in the tavern dealing with non-Jewish peasants? Wouldn't it be better to start attending to my spiritual growth?" He thought to himself that most of his life had been spent in vain and emptiness, his physical strength was waning, and that for several years now has been in a state of decline. and he decided that it was time to make a change. He resolved to put his son in charge of the tavern and to spend his days in the service of Hashem. His only occupation would be to study the Torah and to serve his Creator in solitude.
The son's behaviour though was markedly different from that of his father. Unlike his father, the son did not display the same level of hospitality towards the passersby who entered the tavern. It was evident that the son did not have the same urge to gratify others as his father had, even though he was expected to follow the same conduct of hospitality and charitable giving.
One day, the Rebbe of Razdil passed by and turned in to the tavern to visit his Chassid, but found that the keeper was not present. Instead, his son was serving the guests, but the Rebbe soon sensed that the son was not treating the poor guests with the same compassion and generosity as his father had. The Rebbe inquired about the father's absence, and the son responded that his father was studying in his room.
Humility and Selflessness
The Rebbe went to see the Chassid in his room and was welcomed with great joy. The Rebbe then asked the Chassid why he had chosen to replace himself with his son as the host of the tavern. The Chassid revealed that after much introspection, he had concluded that his soul would be better off if he devoted himself fully to Avodas Hashem, studying Torah day and night. As a result, he had decided to put his son in his place, so that he could have more time to serve Hashem.
The Rebbe told him; "please listen to this story I will tell you". In a land far away, there lived a wealthy count who had a son who was known for being extremely clever and perfect in every way. He was a young man of twenty when it was time for him to join the army. According to protocol, despite his wisdom, he was enlisted as a simple soldier and had to endure eating crude food and sleeping on the ground, which he was unaccustomed to. The generals treated him cruelly, just like they did to all the other soldiers. He could not bear these difficulties and therefore he decided to make a daring escape. He knew that he had to be careful because anyone caught fleeing the army was sentenced to death.
He fled to the royal city of Vienna, where he hoped to take advantage of a law that offered a great discount on all matters to those who volunteered for the army at the age of eighteen. To do so, he had to forge several papers and change his name, surname, and age. He presented himself to the army ministers as a scholar proficient in various languages possessing knowledge and much wisdom. Upon examination, they discovered that he was a rare genius and appointed him as one of the royal ministers.
As he climbed the ranks, he gained the trust of the king with his wisdom and intellect. The whole royal house followed his lead in all matters related to the army. It was a remarkable transformation for a young man who had once been just a simple soldier.
When this young man felt he gained the trust of the king, and felt confident enough, he decided it was time to reveal his true identity. His heart pounding, he took the plunge and shared his secret with the king. However, the king's reaction was not what he had hoped for.
Disappointed and angry, the king demoted him from his esteemed position, stripping him of his title and reducing his rank to that of a simple soldier. The king explained that true service to the crown requires humility and selflessness, qualities that this soldier had failed to demonstrate. Instead, he had been motivated by a desire for power and status, and as a result, was not fit to serve him.
The Rebbe concluded, saying to the Chassid: "Now know my son, Hashem has many servants and soldiers, and every one of them is placed by Him in a specific position, according to the root of their Neshama and the mission they are to complete in this world. It is important to understand that each duty and trial given to us is unique to ourselves, and we must fulfil them faithfully to the best of our abilities".
"If someone is placed in a position to study Torah, they must not think that more wealth would enable them to worship their Creator better. Similarly, if someone is put in a position to work and cannot study Torah as much, they should not believe that studying instead would be better. We all have different roles to play, and we must be responsible and diligent in fulfilling them". The Rebbe reminded the Chassid that he was placed in a position to help others with charity and hospitality, and he must not abandon it for personal aspirations.
As servants of Hashem, we must continuously evaluate every step we take, ensuring that it aligns with His will. Walking the path of the righteous, knowing that every small step we take towards fulfilling our unique missions is beloved by Hashem. Our commitment to keep going, one step at a time, is what will be rewarded. Let us remember this mashal and find inspiration to fulfil our unique duties with dedication and selflessness.
גוט שבת