R' Baruch Ber Lebovitz, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Kaminetz Yeshiva, traveled to America to raise funds for his yeshiva. R’ Moshe Breitstein, his son-in-law, relays a personal story that took place during that stay.
One day, R’ Baruch Ber called his son-in-law in and said that the Chasam Sofer saved his life.
A bit surprised, his son-in-law asked how the Chasam Sofer saved his life. “What did the Chasam Sofer do that would save him?”
R’ Baruch Ber went on how he was just reading a story that took place with the Chasam Sofer, and his Rebbe R’ Nosson Adler, that spared him.
The Chasam Sofer and his rebbe was once traveling through the freezing cold roads when one of the horses collapsed and died in the middle of the road. The driver grabbed his coat, bundled up and went searching the neighboring city to purchase a new horse. All the driver was able to purchase was a donkey. Seeing the driver return with a donkey, R’ Nosson Adler jumped off the wagon and began dancing.
“Dancing?” the Chasam Sofer questioned. “We are in the bitter cold, we are trying to move on, and you stop and start dancing?”
R’ Nosson Adler explained: “I have been in this world for many years. Every day, I try fulfilling the most mitzvos I possibly can. But there’s something that still disturbs me, namely those mitzvos that can’t be fulfilled under any circumstances. But here, I had the privilege of fulfilling the mitzvah of kilayim, by refraining from using the donkey together with the horse. It is the first time that I’m confronted with this mitzvah, and I can fulfill it. Isn’t this a good reason for immense joy?!”
“This story gave me the chizuk that I needed,” continued R’ Baruch Ber. “All this time, I have the house of the priest located directly across from my house. Situated on his roof is a cross. Every time I leave the house I’m faced with a nisayon not to gaze at it. It bothers me to no end. I was unable to change houses, as this house was prepared special for me, and changing houses was no option. Each time I enter and exit my house this irked me to no end.
But after reading this story it stopped disturbing me. I view this as a unique opportunity. Now is one of the few times that I can fulfill the obligation of ‘V’lo sasuroo acharei levavchem — not to turn after your heart, and as Chazal explain this to mean, not to turn to minus.
Seeing the cross situated on the top of his house, sets up a test for me not to turn after their idols, to which I can stand up to. This is a gift that Hashem privileged me with. This is how he saved my life.”
Every challenge that we are facing can be viewed as another opportunity to grow greater. This story is truly life-altering!
