The large rubber shoe factory brought prosperity and jobs to the town — but also a problem: it operated on Shabbos. The local Rav tried persuading the owners to shut it down for Shabbos, but they resisted.
“Rebbe,” they argued, “we’re required by law to close on Sunday. If we also close on Shabbos, the ovens will sit cold for two days, ruining production. We can’t afford that.”
Seeing he couldn’t convince them the Rav invited the Chofetz Chaim to speak with the owners. On the way, he warned, “Rebbe, be ready — they’ll bring up the issue of the ovens.”
“I won’t even discuss it,” replied the Chofetz Chaim. “If they’re smart enough to build such a factory, they can solve that. What they lack is an understanding of Shabbos. That’s what we must teach. Once they value Shabbos, they’ll find a solution.”
And so, it was. The Chofetz Chaim’s words inspired the owners deeply. Once they understood the true value of Shabbos, they somehow found a solution for the ovens — and the factory remained closed on Shabbos from then on. If someone is taught to really care, his alibis vanish into thin air! (“Give Us Life” - Mesholim of the Chofetz Chaim)
Reprinted from the Parshas Behalosocha 5785 email of The Weekly Vort.
