The great Rabbi Baruch Toledano, the Rav in Be’er Sheva, originally hailed from Morocco, would travel from place to place, trying to help people correct their ways and to spread Torah.
On one of his travels, he came to a settlement neighboring Be’er Sheva where most of its residents were not frum. He knew that the community did not have a mikvah taharah; and if anyone wanted to go to one, they’d have to make the arduous trip from the settlement to Be’er Sheva by public transportation, which was very inconvenient. Rav Toledano took it upon himself the task of establishing one.
He started talking to the leaders of the moshav and some of the prominent businessmen about starting a mikvah, they agreed to the idea, but they were hesitant to begin, knowing how much funding such a project required.
Rav Toledano decided to start a communal campaign having everyone unite in this cause. He would do so by setting up a gathering for the entire community and explain the importance of setting up a mikvah. There were many Ashkenazi settlers there as well, so he decided to invite the famed Rav Yankele Galinsky, famed for his charisma, to join him in that nights event.
Big posters were hung all around the settlement, inviting every man and woman to join and be inspired to take part in the great mitzvah. With much anticipation, the big day finally arrived. Rav Galinsky and Rav Toledano showed up to the great event, and to their chagrin, there was only one couple there! All the other settlers of the moshav, who were hardened Leftists, had avoided the event in protest of what they believed to be “Chareidi ideas.” The two gedolim’s disappointment was great, but they decided to wait and see if others would show up.
