MISHNA 2:1 “WHAT IS THE PROPER PATH THAT MAN SHOULD CHOOSE FOR HIMSELF?”
Excerpt from the upcoming Moisa Edition of Ma’asei Avos:
Mishna 2:1 “What is the proper path that man should choose for himself?”
The story occurred on Shabbos Bereishis in the Bais Medrash of Rav Yisrael of Tchortkov. Among the many guests was the then-Rav of Sanok, Rav Meir Shapira, who later became famous as the Rosh Yeshiva of Chachmei Lublin and the founder of the Daf HaYomi movement.
On Shabbos morning after Kerias HaTorah the door to the Rebbe’s private room opened and the Rebbe himself made an unusual appearance where, before the astounded Chassidim, he honored the Rav of Sanok, Rav Meir Shapira, to bless the new month and to lead the tefillos for Mussaf. This was an unusual occasion to say the least, but Rav Meir took the amud, and led the congregation. His powerful, sweet and melodious voice awoke a strong outpouring of the soul and a holy excitement among the Chassidim and many later recounted that the aura of sanctity resembled that of Yom Kippur. The sweet niggun and songs plucked the strings of their souls and they were all moved by Rav Meir Shapira’s heartfelt tefillos.
Afterward, as the Chassidim passed before the Rebbe to receive his Good Shabbos blessing, Rav Meir too passed before him. “I did not know that the Rav of Sanok knew so well how to lead the prayers!” exclaimed the Rebbe.
“I too did not know this,” said Rav Meir innocently, “until the Rebbe revealed this to me as well!”
The Rebbe invited Rav Meir to kiddush and after the meal they secreted themselves in the Rebbe’s private room for a long, drawn-out conversation. When Rav Meir left the Rebbe’s room, his face shone with a supernal other-worldly aura.
During that conversation, Rav Meir’s powerful gift of tefilla was mentioned once again, on which he commented, “If I have such a gift, perhaps I should become a chazzan; it would be appropriate, since I am a descendant of Rav Pinchas Koretzer, before whom all the gates of tefilla were open!”
Upon hearing these words the Tchortkover suddenly grew serious and after a few moments he said, “Rav of Sanok, allow me to tell you a tale about the holy Rebbe Reb Zusha of Aniploi, the brother of the illustrious Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk.
“Once, when Rav Zusha was wandering in self-imposed exile from land to land, he arrived in Galicia. He had heard of Rav Yuzpa, the famous Rosh Yeshiva of Zolkava, and decided to travel there, since his wondrous shiurim, discourses in Talmudic topics, were quite legendary. Rav Zusha traveled there and when he reached Zolkava he entered Rav Yuzpa’s Yeshiva. At that time, Rav Yuzpa was in the midst of a Talmudic pilpul, a deep discussion of the tractate’s sugya, and all his talmidim were absorbed in his profound words so that no one noticed Rav Zusha’s appearance in the Yeshiva at all.
"Rav Zusha was dressed as a wandering vagabond, in tattered rags, with his walking stick and bundle in hand. He went and sat in the corner and listened as well to the Talmudic discourse Rav Yuzpa delivered without removing his eyes from the orator for even a moment.
“After the lecture had ended, Rav Zusha approached the Rosh Yeshiva and said to him, ‘Thank you so much! You deserve such a yasher ko’ach for the lecture you delivered! I have heard of your great erudition and scholarliness from afar and about your wonderful lectures and therefore I decided to travel and hear them for myself first hand. Believe me, it was well worth the long and arduous journey!’
“Rav Yuzpa heard the words of praise and answered, ‘Well, I am glad that you enjoyed the lecture and that you heard words of Torah wisdom which you enjoyed, so I understand why I find favor in your eyes. However, how can you find favor in my eyes? Why, I do not yet have the pleasure of knowing you! Who are you and where are you from?’
“‘Oh, how can a vagabond such as myself find any favor in anyone’s eyes? I do not even know how to learn or study Torah. Why, I know nothing at all!’ declared Rav Zusha.
“‘Impossible,’ countered Rav Yuzpa. ‘It cannot be that you have no wisdom or sanctity. I sense that deep inside you there is some hidden treasure which causes you to find favor in my eyes.’
“‘I only know how to daven,’ concluded Rav Zusha.
“‘Well, what Jew doesn’t know how to do that? Every Jew knows how to daven,’ exclaimed Rav Yuzpa with wonder.
“‘But I know the proper way to daven before the Master of the World!’ added Rav Zusha.
“‘If so, reveal it to me. Teach me the secrets of your tefilla,’ requested Rav Yuzpa.
“‘Very well then. Come, let us go somewhere private and I will open the gates of prayer before you,’ suggested Rav Zusha.
“And so,” concluded the Tchortkover Rebbe to Rav Meir Shapira, “the two entered a room and secluded themselves. Rav Zusha taught the Rosh Yeshiva the secrets of tefilla and they pierced deep into Rav Yuzpa’s soul. He grew aflame with excitement and declared, ‘I will leave my Yeshiva and go after this man, just as Elisha followed Eliyohu – and then perhaps during that time I will learn at least how to daven just one proper tefilla in my lifetime! I will learn to stand before the Master of the World in tefilla and to concentrate with true purity. Yes, I will get up right now and leave my Yeshiva!’
“‘No, no, Rav Yuzpa,’ countered Rav Zusha. ‘Let me explain something to you. Our Sages taught us that just as man’s facial features are different from one another so too are their minds different. There are millions and billions of people living in this world, and each one has a different face from the other. And just as their outer appearance differs, so does their inner essence, their souls and their purpose in life, even though each soul can achieve its own personal beauty equally. Why did Hashem create so many people? Because each of them has his unique purpose to fulfill a lofty and supernal goal. Just as there are many people, there are many goals and aspirations for each individual. Each person has to fulfill his own aspirations and goals with the tools, talents and character traits that Hashem has given him. This is why our Sages taught that one should always study from where his heart desires, since man’s heart aspires to his personal goal that Hashem expects him to fulfill. You, Rav Yuzpa, have the talent and power to inspire talmidim and teach them Torah. Heaven gifted you with this ability to deliver such beautiful Talmudic lectures and discourses. Leave the gates of tefilla for someone like me,’ concluded Rav Zusha.”
The Tchortkover ended the tale and turned to Rav Meir Shapira, who understood the meaning of the Rebbe’s words. Later in life, when Rav Meir was the Rosh Yeshiva of Chachmei Lublin, he told those close to him about that Shabbos in Tchortkov, saying, “With that story the Rebbe put me in my proper place and set me on the proper path in life to fulfill my unique mission and purpose: to teach and spread Torah through the chinuch of the next generation of Am Yisrael – the Jewish nation.”
