A Rebbe Story: Yom Kippur in
Babroisk:
One Erev Yom
Kippur, the Alter of Novhardok (HaRav Yosef Yoizel Hurwitz zt”l) happened to be
in Bobroisk. In Shul, he noticed an
important looking Jew wearing leather shoes, on this day where leather shoes
are forbidden.
Reb Yosef Yoizel asked the Jew why he was wearing them, and the man replied that he had no socks, and he was embarrassed to be seen walking barefoot. Without hesitating, Reb Yosef Yoizel took off his own socks, handed them to the man, and went barefoot all that Yom Kippur.
At a later time, Reb Yosef Yoizel was asked why that man’s honor superseded his own. And he replied that that man was a resident in Bobroisk, and it might hurt his position in the eyes of the town if he was seen walking barefoot. “But I am just passing through town” he continued “what do I care what they think of me?”[1] (However, we must know that even if he lived in that town, he likely would have done the same thing).
What a big lesson! A person should be so conscience of their fellow's honor, for that is the right thing. Sometimes, it would even be best to spare their honor without sparing your own.
We are coming into the Yom HaDin, and this would be a very opportune time to take this to heart, and B'Ezras Hashem, put it into action. May we all be zocheh and may Hashem help everyone to, Amein vi'Amein.
Have a wonderful, wonderful Shabbos everyone, and also a L’Shana Tovah U'mesukah, si’kaseivu vi’sichaseimu l’chaim!!! May we all be written and inscribed in the Book of Good Life for a good healthy year, full of joy and Avodas Hashem, Amein.
Refoel Berel
[1] Sparks of Mussar, pages 122-123. By HaRav Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik zt"l. Feldheim Publications Ltd©.
Reb Yosef Yoizel asked the Jew why he was wearing them, and the man replied that he had no socks, and he was embarrassed to be seen walking barefoot. Without hesitating, Reb Yosef Yoizel took off his own socks, handed them to the man, and went barefoot all that Yom Kippur.
At a later time, Reb Yosef Yoizel was asked why that man’s honor superseded his own. And he replied that that man was a resident in Bobroisk, and it might hurt his position in the eyes of the town if he was seen walking barefoot. “But I am just passing through town” he continued “what do I care what they think of me?”[1] (However, we must know that even if he lived in that town, he likely would have done the same thing).
What a big lesson! A person should be so conscience of their fellow's honor, for that is the right thing. Sometimes, it would even be best to spare their honor without sparing your own.
We are coming into the Yom HaDin, and this would be a very opportune time to take this to heart, and B'Ezras Hashem, put it into action. May we all be zocheh and may Hashem help everyone to, Amein vi'Amein.
Have a wonderful, wonderful Shabbos everyone, and also a L’Shana Tovah U'mesukah, si’kaseivu vi’sichaseimu l’chaim!!! May we all be written and inscribed in the Book of Good Life for a good healthy year, full of joy and Avodas Hashem, Amein.
Refoel Berel
[1] Sparks of Mussar, pages 122-123. By HaRav Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik zt"l. Feldheim Publications Ltd©.
Yasher koach. Reb Chaim Zaitchik can certainly be trusted saying Novaradoker stories! He was a fine man.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly was! In fact, he was a Talmid of the Alter of Novhardok zt"l. Did you know him?
ReplyDelete