The Rebbe of Husyatin, Reb Yisrael Friedman, the son of Rav Mordechai Shraga, the son of the holy Ruzhiner Rebbi, Rav Yisrael, would always succeed in obtaining a beautiful, clean Esrog for Succos. One year, the crop of Esrogim wasn’t good, and Esrogim weren't nice, and most had many spots on them. The Gabbai reluctantly told the Rebbe the sorry news, and that the Rebbe would have to use what’s available. The best Esrog was found, as per the advice of the Rebbe, which was at least somewhat nice, even though many spots were found and visible on the Esrog. After veryfing the Kashrus of the Esrog, it was given to the Rebbe. Succos morning the Rebbe made his preparations, bound the Lulav and was exited to have an Esrog and recited the Bracha and shook the Lulav and Esrog. When the gabbai, Rav Kalman Shaul, examined the Esrog after the Rebbe recited the brocho, he looked, and turned the Esrog over and over, and noticed that all the spots were gone and it was a real beautiful Esrog. The chassidim understood that an Esrog is part of the Neshama, and a clean Neshama has a clean Esrog. That was the reason the Rebbe, always succeeded in having a beautiful Esrog.
More in this printout
- The Succah is Gan Eden and should be with you all yearExplore the spiritual depth of the Succah as a sanctuary of Gan Eden and how Dovid Hamelech's prayer teaches us to carry its holiness throughout the entire year
- Succah is a an important and minor MitzvahAn exploration of why Succah is considered a minor Mitzvah and how its observance, despite being easily overlooked, serves as a merit for Jewish redemption.
- The Gaon took the first EsrogA story about the Tchebiner Rav in Jerusalem, illustrating how prioritizing Torah study over lengthy shopping leads to divine assistance in finding a beautiful
- Hagaon Rav Chaim Ozer uses his wisdom to entertain a guestA story of Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, who despite being ill and exempt from the Sukkah, joined a guest to fulfill the mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim.
- The Succah in the forestThe inspiring story of Reb Yisrael Mayer, who sacrificed a kitchen job in a concentration camp to build a hidden Succah in the forest for fellow prisoners.