Rabbi Fridmann

The first Verse of Parashas Nitsavim states: “You are all standing, this day, before Hashem your G-d.” (Deut. 29:9) The Zohar explains that the word וםֹי ה] this day], refers to Rosh Hashana. The Bais Aharon of Karlin adds, that the word ם ת א] You] has the same letters as ת מ א – Truth. The verse’s intent is to inform us that only a trustworthy and honest person can stand before Hashem in judgement. The Talmud [Sota 42a] says: “Rabbi Yirmeya bar Abba declares: Four classes of people will not greet the Divine Presence: The class of cynics, and the class of flatterers, and the class of liars, and the class of slanderers.” The Maharsha expounds, that they cannot stand before Hashem in Judgement, not on Rosh Hashana and not in the next world, as they as they are too repulsive to Hashem. So what is the path that enables closeness to Hashem? The Torah states: “Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it? No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.” (Deut. 30:11-14) What depends on the heart and the mouth? Honesty! To speak the truth and to pursue the truth! Do not pretend, as this is a guaranteed path to the above classes of people banned from Hashem’s presence. Teshuva can only be reached when one has acquired these basic attributes of truth and honesty. Attending Yom Kippur services with a heart full of malicious tricks to deceive others, in business or any other dealing, is a waste. Such a person does not really believe in Hashem, otherwise he would deal honestly and rely on Hashem to provide for him and his family. We must introspect our heart and ban any feeling that is not pure honesty. Then only, can we stand before Hashem on Yom Kippur and pray for His Blessings. A pure heart and mouth can make miracles! After World War II, Reb Fishel Shmeltzer was a youngster and while he was in hospital in Budapest, he met an elderly Jew also recuperating from his wounds. The youngster noticed that the Yid held a stack of post cards in his hand, which were from the Tzadik Reb Shaya of Kerestir. The youngster asked the man what his relationship with Reb Shayale was, and what was the significance of the post cards that he kept holding so tightly on? The Yid answered “These postcards have been a good omen for me all these years. Let me enlighten you! “Many years ago, I lived in a small shtetl, and earned my livelihood from a grocery store. Since I had the only grocery store in the shtetl, I was successful. Thus, I was not observant at all, but out of respect for the other Jews of the shtetl, I kept the store closed on Shabbos. I was also careful never to desecrate the Shabbos publicly to avoid upsetting my clients. My store had been my faithful source of income for many years. Suddenly a Gentile showed up in town and opened a competing store. He was a Jew-hater and was determined to drive me out of business. Knowing full well that there was no room for two groceries, he lost no time in building an ultra – modern store right next to mine and taunted me about my impending financial doom. Unsurprisingly, all the local gentiles lost no time to give him their business, and my livelihood started to go downhill. I became wracked with debts and could not see the path out of my hardships. I had no idea what to do and where to turn, until a friend suggested that I go visit Reb Shaya of Kerestir, who was known as a “Wunderrabbiner” [Wonder Rabbi]. I was far from Yiddishkeit, and naturally did not have anything to do with Rebbes, so I brushed off the idea. Though, as time was passing my problems were only growing and my friend cajoled me to go to Kerestir. I arrived to Kerestir on a Thursday evening, and was told I would have to wait in line for an audience with the Rebbe, as was the custom. There were many Chasidim who were waiting ahead of me. We waited until past midnight when the gabbay informed us that the Rebbe would not be seeing anyone until the next morning. The gabbay had straw spread out in the shul as makeshift bedding for all the guests. I was used to a higher comfort standard, but having no other choice, I laid down to sleep on the floor. I slept fitfully for a pitiful short time when someone awakened me and told me to wash “negelvasser”. I got angry that someone had the chutzpah to wake me up in the middle of the night. Thus, the Chasidim informed me that it was the Rebbe himself who woke me up, and I must show respect and go to the audience. I washed my hands, had a bite to eat and resumed waiting to see the Rebbe. When my turn arrived, the gabbay wrote a kvittel for me and I entered the Rebbe’s study. The Rebbe greeted me very warmly and peered intently at my kvittel. Then he asked me why I had come. I told him about the Gentile who had heartlessly snatched away my parnassa. The Rebbe looked me in the eyes and exclaimed, “We cannot allow this evil Gentile to take away your parnassa!” Just hearing this lifted my spirits. The Rebbe asked: “Does the Gentile have a horse?” I answered “Of course!” The Rebbe asked further: “Does the Gentile know how to ride his horse?” “Of course,” I replied. I was puzzled by these questions; what did a Gentile’s horse have to do with my livelihood? The Rebbe concluded “Hashem will help you get back your parnassa, and you don’t need to worry about the Gentile.” I thanked the Rebbe and proceeded to head back home. The Rebbe feared I might come to desecrate the Shabbos by traveling on Friday, so he insisted that I stay in Kerestir until after Shabbos. “But Rebbe!” I exclaimed. “I can’t bear sleeping on that hard floor again. I’m still aching from head to toe from last night.” The Rebbe retorted “Let me have the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim, I’ll arrange a nice and comfortable bed and delicious Shabbos meals for you. Trust me, you won’t be sorry.” I had no choice and promised the Rebbe that I would stay. I was placed in a warm home and given a good room. The hosts were generous their food was indeed delicious. Unexpectedly, the davening and the Rebbe’s Tish made a strong impression on me, and slowly, my Neshama started warming up to Yiddishkeit. On Motzaei Shabbos, I went to take my leave from the Rebbe, but he insisted that I stay for Melavah Malka. I did so, and fortunately for me! It was wonderful – the holiness of the Rebbe’s Torah, which spoke to my heart’s innermost longings, together with the beautiful songs were soothing to my Neshama. That night I then undertook to become an observant Yid. It was late at night when I finally set out on the road home. I arrived home in the early morning hours and heard the church bells pealing. I knew that there had to be a funeral that day. I asked someone, “Who died?” He told me that it was the Gentile who had opened the new grocery store! He had been riding his horse on Friday, when suddenly the horse got wild and threw him off, he fell on his head and died instantly. I asked around what time did the “accident” occur? Thinking back about how the Rebbe had asked me “does the Gentile have a horse?”, I was stunned to realize that the Gentile had fallen just at the time the Rebbe had asked this fateful question! This incident made me a true Torah observant, in the fullest sense of the word, a true Baal Teshuva, worthy of the name. The modern store was offered to me for a reasonable price. My parnassa flourished again and I became a devoted Chasid of Reb Shaya. I sent him money every month and in return he sent me a post card with a Beracha and a gratitude greeting. That is why I hold these postcards close to my heart. They are my lifeline to the holy Tzaddik in Kerestir, who without him, I would be in the darkest spiritual dungeon and would have perished in the camps. The Rebbe is the only reason I was saved. Hashem accepts all to return to Him and He will shower them with blessings, if the Teshuva performed with truth and honesty!

By Rabbi Fridmann * [email protected] * 305.985.3461

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