“The Toldos” Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaKohain of Polnoye by nature had a quick temper. He sought counsel from Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Mendel of Vitebsk-Horodok (even though the latter was younger than he by 20 years, he admired his humility --YT). He asked him what he could do to overcome his anger.
Rebbe Mendel didn’t respond. It didn’t take long, though, before the Toldos learned the answer.
The Toldos, together with a group of chasidim, was traveling on a wagon. A poor person stood by the road, and asked for a lift. The Toldos helped him aboard, but he explained to him that there wasn't much room. "If you want to ride with us, you will need to sit among the packages."
The man agreed. It was still better than walking.
The Toldos was concerned that the guest wasn't comfortable. As they were traveling, the Toldos turned to him and asked, "Are you alright? Are you comfortable?"
"Everything is fine," the man assured.
The Toldos was still concerned about the guest, so soon afterwards, he turned to the guest and asked, "Are you sure that you are comfortable?"
Once again, the guest told him that he felt fine.
Repeats His Question of Concern
When the Toldos inquired about his welfare a third time, the man replied, "We say, “Ashrei ha’am shekachah loâ”. This can be translated, “Fortunate is the nation that whatever happens to it”, they say, 'Let it be that way.' No matter what happens, they say, 'let it be so. It is good the way it is.'"
The chassidim on board laughed when they heard the pauper's witty response, but the Toldos turned white. He realized that he had just received the answer to his dilemma. How can one overcome anger? By saying that the way things are, it is good that way. Perhaps someone said something that insults you, perhaps someone did something that upsets you, but you accept life as it comes. Fortunate is the nation that can do so.
The Answer to Overcoming His Trait of Anger
With this perspective, the Toldos realized that he could overcome his negative trait of anger.
When the Toldos came to the Vitebsker another time, Rebbe Mendel remarked, "I sent you Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) to answer your question."
Biographical notes: Rabbi Yaakov-Yosef HaKohain of Polnoye [5470 - 24 Tishrei 5542 * (1710 - Oct. 1781)] was one of the earliest and closest rabbinical disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. He was the first to author a book of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings, titled Toldos Yaakov Yosef, which had a revolutionary effect upon publication. Subsequently, he published two other chasidic classics, Ben Porat Yosef and Ketonet Passim.
* Not certain--some say 5544 (1783) and some say 5551 (1790).
Rabbi Menachem-Mendel of Vitebsk/Horodok [5490 - 1 Iyar 5548 (1730 - May 1788)] was an elder disciple of the Maggid of Mizritch and one of the earliest chasidic rebbes. He led the first modern aliyah to Israel, in 5537 (1777), where he and three hundred chasidim and others settled in Tsfat (Safed). After a few years most of the group moved to Tiberias, where he is buried in the “Students of the Baal Shem Tov” section of the Old Cemetery. His works include Pri HaAretz and Likutei Amarim.
[1] Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaKohain of Polnoye was one of the closest disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. He was the first person to author a book of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings, titled Toldos Yaakov Yosef, which, besides having a revolutionary effect upon publication, led to his popularly becoming known as “Ba’al HaToldot” or “the Toldos”, as above.
[2] “Ashrei ha’am shekachah lo [ashrei ha’am sh’Hashem Elokav] - (Psalms 144:15) is the second verse of the famous “Ashrei” prayer, recited 3 times a day.
Reprinted from the Parshat Toldot 5784 email of KabbalaOnline.org, a project of Ascent of Safed.
