Reb Yisrael Mayer z’’l was always looking to help other Yidden perform Mitzvohs, as well as toiling himself to perform a Mitzvah with mesiras nefesh. In the concentration camps during World War 2, people literally starved, and the potato peels or a small piece of bread, were the source of light to those who received them. The people who worked in the kitchens lived a more comfortable life, as they were able to get food to eat, as well as smuggle out bits of food for other hungry Yidden. Reb Yisrael was among the fortunate few who worked in a kitchen. However, one summer day he asked the Nazi supervisor of the kitchen if he could go and work in the forest. The mere fact of asking a Nazi a favor meant a strong punishment. The Nazi, hearing this odd request from a Jew (as they knew very well the paradise of working in the kitchen as opposed to working in the hot forest), answered: “You can work in the forest. But you will regret the move!”
Reb Yisrael answered that he realized what he was doing and thanked the Nazi for allowing him to work in the forest. The labor there was very hard. They had to cut down huge trees and chop them into firewood for the winter. The summer sun was beating down on the workers; however, Reb Yisrael worked diligently. He became close to the supervisor, and asked him if the workers could build a large shed in order to cool off a bit from the baking sun. The supervisor answered: “as long as you do your quota of work, you can build the shed.”
In a few days a huge shed was built in the forest. No one realized the true intention and purpose of building the shed until Succos arrived. The shed was built according to the laws of Succah. This Succa was used by thousands of workers. They were able to eat their meals and sleep a bit in the Succah. Reb Yisrael Meyer sacrificed his paradise of working in the kitchen in order to perform the Mitzvah of Succah, as well as helping others perform the Mitzvah! This is the real “cheshbon” that a Yid must live by. The reward for this act is beyond our comprehension.
His son R’ Yanky Mayer A”H, a giant in chesed, went in his footsteps, and his neshama should have an Aliyah.
