Short Stories and Inspiration
A Joke With A Lesson
Rav Elchonon Wasserman Hy”d used to tell people to go visit the Chafetz Chaim while he was still living. Rav Elchonon explained that one should grab the opportunity to see the Chafetz Chaim in this world, because once he passes away, he will be at such a high level in Gan Eden. Who knows if we’ll ever be able to see him again?
That’s the lesson. There are many people living today who look like regular people, but in truth, they are going through many difficult tests in life. Who knows if we will be able to see them in the next world; they may have reached such high levels of emunah.
This connects to this week’s parshah:
It was right before World War II (in 1939), and Rav Elchonon Wasserman Hy”d visited America. After raising money for his yeshiva and helping to strengthen the Yiddishkeit in America.
He was about to return to Europe, when many Rabbis tried convincing him to stay because a war was about to break out. It was a danger to leave now, and he should stay in America for now.
But Rav Elchonon said, “I do not only have three children; I have hundreds, they are my talmidim in the yeshiva. How can I leave them? A captain doesn’t abandon his ship!”
That’s the lesson. In life, people go through difficult times and challenges; realize that Hashem gives everyone only what they can handle and what’s good for them. Hashem knows that you are responsible enough to be able to handle your difficulties and grow from them. Hashem also trusted you with the tests in your life, don’t abandon ship. Do your best.
This connects to this week’s parshah:
Yaakov was about to see his son Yosef and live in Mitzrayim but said he must first send Yehudah to build a yeshiva to learn.
Why was Yehudah chosen? Yaakov wanted someone who could take responsibility, especially when it gets hard. Yehudah was the one who took responsibility for Binyamin and was ready to do anything for him.
Bentzy was huffing and puffing as he rode his bike on the highway.
All of a sudden, he heard the sound of a police car announcing, “Man on the bicycle, pull over right now!”
Bentzy, hardly able to catch his breath, said, “Officer, you think I went faster than the speed limit?”
The cop gave him a look and said, “You’re riding 11 miles per hour on a 61-mile-per-hour highway.”
“Okay, I’ll go faster downhill,” Bentzy said with a smirk, half laughing.
“You think this is a joke?” the police officer barked. “You are riding too slowly to be on the highway.”
Bentzy said, “Officer, with all due respect, I’d like to see you pedal this bike at 61 miles per hour…”
That’s the lesson. In life, it’s easy to judge others. Why are they "not riding life quicker" and not more frum?
But if you were in their shoes, with all of their life tests, you don’t know if you would be any different.
Instead of judging others, actually go and help them in some way.
Shalmon took his tzitzis to a Chinese dry cleaner.
When he went back to pick it up, the worker handed him a bill of $100.
“One hundred dollars?!” Shalmon asked, shocked. “Why so much?”
The Chinese worker started yelling (in a Chinese accent), “Why costs so much??? You know how long took me to untie all those knots in your strings hanging… Next time, before you bring these strings again, untie yourself…”
That’s the lesson. In life, sometimes when we try to help, we don’t really help.
For example, there are times we think saying a sharp word to someone will help them for their good, when really it isn’t.
Before you “help” someone, maybe ask a wise man if it’s wise to do so.
Many Difficult Tests
After Yosef revealed himself and Yaakov found out that his son was still alive, Yaakov said, “I want to see Yosef before I die.”
Yaakov was saying that Yosef went through such difficult times, but didn’t give up and grew to such great levels in coming close to Hashem. “I want to see him in this world before I die,” because who knows if I will be able to see him in the next world?
Hashem trusts you.
