A Rebbe Story: Precious Life

A Rebbe Story: Precious Life:

There is an incredible, incredible story I saw in the book The Torah of Brisk that I would like to, B'Ezras Hashem, share with you: 

Once, the Chofetz Chaim (HaRav Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan zt"l)’s grandson asked him how old he was. Reb Yisroel Meir looked at him, but didn’t say anything. His grandson figured that he didn’t want to answer the question, so he didn’t ask again.

Some time later, Reb Yisroel Meir gave his grandson an envelope with some money in it. But his grandson did not even look to see how much money was in the envelope! "Why did you not open the envelope to see how much money I gave you?" Reb Yisroel Meir asked.  His grandson replied: "A gift from my Zeide is very precious to me; it doesn’t matter how much money is in the envelope. And besides, it’s not proper to count out the money one received in front of the one who gave him the gift."

The Chofetz Chaim zt"l explained: "It’s exactly the same regarding your question about my age! Life is so precious, such a wonderful gift from the Creator. Can we possibly appreciate the value of the smallest moment of life? And besides," he continued "what does it matter how many years of this gift we have received from Hashem? As you said ‘One doesn’t count out the gift in the presence of the Giver’."[1]

What an amazing story!  Often we are living - but not appreciating life.  Each second is not a given; it is a precious gift from Hashem, in His Kindness.  And in each second, teaches us the Chiddushei HaRim (the first Gerrer Rebbe - Rebbe Yitzchok Meir Alter zt"l), there is a new opportunity. A new chance!  Let's try to take the time, B'Ezras Hashem, to start to think about the "little" things in our lives that are really so precious, and may Hashem help everyone to do so, Amein vi'Amein.  That way, we will all, B'Ezras Hashem, live much more meaningful lives. 

Have a wonderful day everyone!  Kol Tuv!

Sources: 

1.      From The Torah of Brisk and other Gedolim:  Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur (original - Shai LaTorah).  By HaRav Shimon Yosef Meller shlita.  Feldheim Publications Ltd.