The Great Fan
By Avishai Hill
The terrible heat coupled with the intense humidity of Shanghai, made life unbearable for the Mirrer bochrim who had escaped there during the War. The learning in the yeshiva continued unabated, but with great difficulty. Eventually, the yeshiva had powerful electric fans installed which provided a respite from the stagnant and heavy air in the beis midrash.
The Mashgiach, R. Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l (‘Reb Chatzkel’) was amazed, “What’s causing such a powerful current of air here?” he asked. “Doesn’t Rebbe see that the workers installed fans?” came the response. “Yes I do, but how do they cause such pleasant air to flow through the room?
Now everyone else were amazed: “The rotating blades cause the air to be circulated,” they explained patiently. “Which blades?” The Rav asked, “There’s nothing there at all! Just a strange looking piece of metal hanging off the ceiling.”
Everyone smiled to themselves and explained that due to their great speed, the spinning blades had become indiscernible.
Now, after getting everyone’s attention, Reb Chatzkel was ready to deliver his musser shmuez: “Life can be compared to pleasant air being pushed around a room. The fan is doing the work, but no one can see it working due to its intense speed. Let us not forget that Hashem is ruling and controlling the entire world, but due to His great speed, so to speak, we forget to acknowledge His presence and Almighty ability. We must always acknowledge the presence of Hashem in our lives!” [source: Hineni Beyadcha p525]
