In preparation for the First Knessiah Gedolah of the World Agudas Yisrael, many leaders of Klal Yisrael — Admorim, Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and Marbitzei Torah — gathered in Vienna. Among the participants was the Chofetz Chaim. Despite his age, the severity of the meeting urged his attendance.
The Chofetz Chaim was hosted by a wealthy person by the name of R’ Akiva Schreiber. Excited to host such a gadol, he worked tirelessly to ensure that the Chofetz Chaim would be able to learn with peace of mind, unfettered by any of the masses who sought after him.
There was a famous askan from England who urged R’ Akiva to allow him to enter, and knowing the overwhelming challenges facing this askan, R’ Akiva made an exception and let him in. He told the askan to be at his house at one o’clock when the Chofetz Chaim eats lunch so he can get a private audience with the gadol ha’dor.
At the set time, the askan entered the house from a side entrance, anticipating his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He watched as the Chofetz Chaim finished eating his small meal and then said the 23rd perek of Tehillim, as he was accustomed to doing after every one of his meals. He said it slowly, and when he got to the end, he emphasized the last pasuk of “Ach tov...”
He then turned to the handful of people sitting around the table and asked: “Why did Dovid Hamelech choose ‘yirdefuni’ when trying to describe the words of tov and chessed? It sounds like they contradict. Redifah connotes someone ambushing someone else, while Dovid Hamelech is asking for tov and chessed to escort him. Should it not say something along that line?”
Answered the Chofetz Chaim, “Every person has some amount of rodfim in the course of their life. It is up to each person to choose what form of rodfim they want to receive. There are certain people who are invested in helping the klal, and they can redirect their rodfim to be connected to doing mitzvos, i.e., have people running after them for money, advice, etc. They are being ‘chased,’ but they are nonetheless being chased with tov and chessed.
“That is what Dovid Hamelech is asking for: Let them run after me while I’m busy with askanus-type of work, and there will be no need for other rodfim to come after me.”
After the Chofetz Chaim finished his meal, the askan got up to leave. A bit shocked, R’ Akiva stopped him and asked, “Didn’t you come for a private meeting? Why are you leaving without consulting him.”
The askan explained that the Chofetz Chaim answered his question without it being addressed. “Here’s my story,” he told R’ Akiva. “A local yeshivah asked me to help them with their many needs, and I decided to take off afternoons from my business to help them. But my askan work started to take its toll on my life. Not only did it take up half my day, but soon it was occupying even my first half. To add salt to the wound, I also run a gemach, and that takes up even more of my time. Day and night, people are banging on my door for all sorts of issues.
“My family was not pleased with the situation, to say the least. ‘Go back to work,’ they urged me, ‘and bring in more revenue.’ But I couldn’t just give up any of what I was already doing. No one could fill my shoes at the gemach or the yeshivah. My family agreed that I would ask the Chofetz Chaim for advice on the matter.
“But, before even hearing my question, the Chofetz Chaim already resolved it. His sound advice left me with no more qualms. I’m not going to let down the bars because of any pressure my family might be giving. In no way do I want other types of rodfim.” (When repeating this story to my Rav, Reb Moshe Schreiber, the Rav of Ohel Moshe Zichron Shmuel, he confirmed that he heard this story from someone present at that meeting.)
Among others, Reb Yisrael Salanter taught us that the superior way to ensure us with a good new year is by becoming an “ish ha’klal,” someone who busies himself with others. It’s a great investment to support us during the judgment for the coming year. All look for zechusim to add to our account, and the best zechus is to help others. By helping others, we are viewed as someone Klal Yisroel depends on, thereby fortifying ourselves with the zechus ha’rabim — a worthy zechus.
