LIVING DISTINCT
The Torah instructs us to be holy nation, living distinct from the nations that surround us. We must not mingle with them or mimic their ways for we may become influence by their lifestyles. Instead we should focus on our unique mission of Torah and mitzvos.
(רסב מצוה החינוך 'ס)
At the age of fourteen, Reb Boruch, the Alter Rebbe’s father, lost his parents. He traveled from town to town for three years until he arrived in Liozna, where he was employed to guard an orchard that two Yidden held on lease from the local poritz. Young Boruch enjoyed the peace and quiet and would spend his time davening and learning, without anyone detecting his greatness in Torah and avoda. At harvest time he would help his employers, Reb Avraham and Reb Ezriel, and their families and other workers who would gather and pack the fruits. The workers, including the goyim, were impressed by him, for he was well-built, handsome, had a sweet voice and spoke a fluent Polish.
One day, the poritz visited the orchard with his family and, noticing Baruch’s capabilities, engaged him in a discussion. They were amazed to hear his rich language. Baruch felt very uncomfortable with all the attention he was receiving. The next day, the poritz and his family returned specifically to speak with him, and after their discussion, invited him to visit their estate. However, Boruch declined their invitation.
One evening, while alone in the orchard, Boruch was unexpectedly visited by the son of the poritz. “Good evening,” said the young visitor. “My father would like to invite you to spend the night with us, for we know how lonely it is out here.”
Boruch knew that this visit would not bring good results, so he told him that he could not leave the orchard unattended. The visitor left but returned shortly with two men accompanied by huge watch dogs, saying, “Here, they’ll take care of the job while you’re gone.”
Boruch was stuck. Personally, he had no qualms refusing the offer of the poritz, but he knew that a refusal could cause the poritz to pour out his wrath on the Yidden of Liozna. He therefore decided to accept the invitation, but resolved not display any fear and to present himself with Yiddishe pride, in the spirit of the Torah.
He was welcomed at the castle with great friendship, which greatly displeased him, and he took the first opportunity to show his confidence by refusing to remove his hat. He explained in fluent Polish that a Yid is required to constantly feel HaShem’s presence and hence cannot go bareheaded. The poritz and his family were deeply impressed by the self-assurance and boldness of a simple Yiddishe watchman, especially since they were used to seeing Yidden trembling and behaving subserviently. In fact, the poritz showed such respect for his young guest that he covered his own head with his hat. Boruch entered into a deep discussion about the value of Yiddishe minhagim, and emphasized the unfairness of using one’s supremacy to interfere with another’s beliefs and way of life. He displayed his wisdom and knowledge and explained many psukim and maamarei Chazal, all in fluent Polish, meanwhile contrasting the two worlds – the goyishe world of materialism and the Yiddishe world of ruchniyus.
The poritz thirstily drank all that Baruch said, but his children were unhappy with the direction the conversation had taken; they preferred lighter talk, so they decided to visit the orchard themselves the following day, just to schmooze. Foreseeing the possible danger in this friendship, Baruch was vexed, and tried to think of a solution to get out of it.
Meanwhile, he was invited to the dining-room that had been set up with dozens of delicacies, and although the food was kosher, he decided to eat nothing in order not to strengthen their relationship. Fortunately, he did not need to excuse himself, for at that moment the youngest child of the poritz burnt himself with hot water, and the whole family ran to help with the emergency. Baruch took the opportunity to slip away and return to the orchard. That night he could not sleep. What would he do if the children of the poritz came the next day to speak with him?
All through the night he said Tehillim with tears. The next day he heard that the child had died, but he still felt restless, knowing that the other children of the poritz were likely to come despite the tragedy. He decided to unburden himself to Reb Avraham and tell him of his decision to leave the job. Reb Avraham accepted his request and that night he and Reb Ezriel took over the task of guarding the orchard. It transpired that Baruch’s suspicions were justified, for later that evening the son and daughter of the poritz came to the orchard, and when they heard that he was no longer there, they went home disappointed. As for Baruch, he received his wages from the partners and was now able to return to the beis midrash to immerse himself in davening and learning.
(יג-יא 'פ א"ח צ"מוהריי הזכרונות ספר)
A NATION APART
The Baal Shem Tov once went to the mikveh in a place that was populated by non-Jewish people. On his way back, after toiveling, he was concerned that a goy may touch him. While he was walking, he overheard one gentile tell another, “Be careful not to touch this contaminated Jew.”
His grandson, the author of Degel Machaneh Ephraim explained that this is the meaning of the possuk, “Hein am l’vadad yishkon” – “They are a nation that dwells apart.” The Yidden do not mingle with the goyim because (as that possuk continues), “uvagoyim lo yischashov” - “they are not counted among the nations,” that is to say, the Yidden are not esteemed in the eyes of the goyim. And paradoxically, this is for the Yid’s benefit!
(העבודה ועל התורה על)
On numerous occasions the Rebbe emphasized that standing apart from the goyim in all areas of conduct will not cause the goyim to dislike the Yidden (as some Yidden over history had believed); on the contrary, it will elicit their respect and admiration, seeing how the Yidden live distinct and true to their tradition.
(2994 ע' ה"ח ה"תשמ תו"מ :לדוגמא)
CONSIDER
Why was Reb Boruch concerned about interacting with the poritz and his family? Did he really think that he would be influenced? Why will living distinctly create a kidush HaShem and not the opposite?
