The Spinning Wheel
Living Jewish | March 21, 2024
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The Spinning Wheel

Living Jewish | June 27, 2025

At a certain point in his life, Reb Aharon Levitt, editor of HaKria V’HaKedush, encountered financial difficulties. He sent a letter to the Previous Rebbe describing his financial situation and his despair.

The Previous Rebbe responded to him with a story, relating that a chassid of his father, the Rebbe Rashab, experienced financial hardship. The chassid came to the Rebbe Rashab and poured out his heart, asking for assistance. The Rebbe Rashab told him:

In Vienna there is a large wheel (the Vianne Ferris Wheel), with carts attached to it. Some of the carts go up, while others go down. Our Sages tell us that the world is a spinning wheel (galgal hachozer). Naturally, someone who is at the top laughs and rejoices, but in truth he is merely a fool, since the wheel turns. Similarly, someone on the bottom who is crying is merely a fool, since the wheel turns. Banish your sadness! Continue your business dealings and with Hashem’s help the wheel will turn and return you to your previous state.”

reprinted from Derher

At a certain point in his life, Reb Aharon Levitt, editor of HaKria V’HaKedush, encountered financial difficulties. He sent a letter to the Previous Rebbe describing his financial situation and his despair.

The Previous Rebbe responded to him with a story, relating that a chassid of his father, the Rebbe Rashab, experienced financial hardship. The chassid came to the Rebbe Rashab and poured out his heart, asking for assistance. The Rebbe Rashab told him:

In Vienna there is a large wheel (the Vianne Ferris Wheel), with carts attached to it. Some of the carts go up, while others go down. Our Sages tell us that the world is a spinning wheel (galgal hachozer). Naturally, someone who is at the top laughs and rejoices, but in truth he is merely a fool, since the wheel turns. Similarly, someone on the bottom who is crying is merely a fool, since the wheel turns. Banish your sadness! Continue your business dealings and with Hashem’s help the wheel will turn and return you to your previous state.”

reprinted from Derher

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