During a cholera epidemic that struck Vilnius in 1848, many fled the city for fear of infection. Rabbi Yisrael Salanter Z”TL stayed behind to lead those that opted to stay in Vilnius. In addition, and what may not be well known, is that Reb Yisrael opened hospitals during the epidemic to aid their physical well-being as well.
On the holy day of Yom Kippur, he made a remarkable decision that demonstrated both his integrity and his commitment to preserving human life. He wanted to ensure that Jews would not be fasting in Vilnius on Yom Kippur as he understood that people weakened by fasting would be more susceptible to contracting the disease. Accordingly, Reb Yisrael went to the synagogue on Yom Kippur morning and, before the entire congregation, made Kiddush (the blessing over wine) and ate, effectively breaking the fast in public. He did this to ensure that no one in Vilnius would fast on Yom Kippur. The people in Vilnius would say to themselves, “If the holy Reb Yisrael says not to fast and is not fasting himself, we, the people of Vilnius, do not have the right to fast either.” By his actions, and consistency between word and deed, Reb Yisrael showed his community that preserving life (Pikuach Nefesh) takes precedence over even the most sacred of religious obligations.
What makes this story particularly powerful is that Reb Salanter was one of the most respected religious authorities of his time. He could have simply issued a ruling permitting others to eat while maintaining his own fast, which would have protected his reputation for piety. Instead, he chose to lead by example, demonstrating that true religious integrity sometimes means being willing to do what appears irreverent when it serves a higher moral purpose.
His actions saved many lives, as his community followed his example and maintained their strength during the epidemic. This story continues to be told as an example of how true religious leadership sometimes requires the courage to prioritize human welfare over observance.
