The Mud of a Jew and Other Hassidic Stories. Vol. 1, Judaizm

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
//-->The Mud of a Jewand Other Hasidic Talestranslated by Yaacov Dovid ShulmanThe Mirror and Other Hasidic Tales2Master and DiscipleThe Hasidim began singing the words,AHappyis the man whohas not forgotten you, and the son of man who takes strength in You@to the well-known tune of my great-grandfather (Rabbi MenachemMendel, third leader of Lubavitch).They entered such a state of feeling that their faces wereaflame and tears streamed from their eyes. There wasn't the slightestdoubt that each of them felt that he was standing next to RabbiMenachem Mendel, seeing and hearing how he was praying.Because I had heard Rabbi Menachem Mendel's study halldescribed many times, I knew exactly how it had looked and where hehad stood when praying. Now the singing of the Hasidim and theiroverall appearance made such a deep impression on me that I wasdrawn along with their profound feeling. It appeared to me as thoughI was seeing him wrapped in his prayer shawl, wearing his whiteclothes and white yarmulke, singing with his holy voice,AHappyisthe man who has not forgotten you, and the son of man who takesstrength in You.@Having heard many stories about how the souls of departedspiritual masters came to their children and students in hidden andrevealed ways, I was certain that Rabbi Menachem Mendel waspresent, and this filled me with joy and fear. I was entirely taken overby an exaltation, a feeling that one cannot express in words, one ofthe highest impressions of the heart that cannot be written.Then I felt with a clean child's simplicityBwhich I understoodmore later as I grew older and began to learn HasidismBthe meaningof a connection between a Hasid and his rabbi. I understood that theThe Mirror and Other Hasidic Tales3thought of a Hasid that clings to his rabbi can bring the rabbi to him.Yes, in today's unsettled life, it is hard to imagine such a thingand understand how it can be: how a thought can accomplish somuch. But in the past, when life was cleaner and more composed,this was well-understood and a matter of experience.Likutei Dibburim1-2, pp. 236-7A childhood memory by the previous Lubavitcher rebbe,Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950)Bfrom a talkdelivered on Pesach of 1934.The Old Man of the ForestA number of the Hasidim of the holy and famous RabbiMenachem Mendel of Lubavitch learned in his study hall. At night,each Hasid sat with a candle burning before him. Then, when thelearning period came to an end, the Hasidim would put out all thecandles but one or two; and sitting around the flickering light, theywould tell stories about spiritual masters.One such evening, Rabbi Menachem Mendel came into thestudy hall and asked his Hasidim what they were talking about.They answered that they had been telling stories about theholy Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, of blessed memory.Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch told them,AInhonorof that holy rabbi, light all the candles, just as if you were learning,and I will tell you a story about him.@They lit all the candles, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel ofLubavitch told them the following story:The Mirror and Other Hasidic Tales4The holy Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk had a respectedand God-fearing slaughterer who was also an expert mohel(circumcisor).One day, one of Rabbi Menachem Mendel's followers came tohim with a request.Two of this man's children died as a result of beingcircumcised. Now a third son had been born to him.AIknow,@ hesaid,Athataccording to the law, it is forbidden to circumcise him onthe eighth day. But I believe that if you come to the circumcision,your merit will guard him so that nothing will happen to him.@The circumcision was due to fall on the coming Sabbath.Rabbi Menachem Mendel replied,AIfthe circumcision wereon a weekday, I would go. But this Sabbath, I am expectingimportant guests. I will send my slaughterer to be your mohel. It willbe exactly as if I myself were there, and nothing will happen to thebaby, God forbid.@The man agreed to this.Rabbi Menachem Mendel called the slaughterer and told himto travel to the circumcision.The slaughterer refused. He argued,AHowcan I spend theSabbath there and not at your table, listening to your teachings? Eversince I became your follower, I haven't been away from you.@But Rabbi Menachem Mendel commanded him to go.So the slaughterer listened to Rabbi Menachem Mendel andtraveled to the man's home for the circumcision. But he made onecondition with the man: on Saturday night, as soon as the Sabbathwas over, a wagon-driver would take him home immediately, so thathe would at least be able to hear Rabbi Menachem Mendel recite theThe Mirror and Other Hasidic Tales5havdalah ceremony marking the beginning of the new week.So it was. As soon as it grew dark on Saturday night, theslaughterer set out for home.The road led through a forest.The wagon driver got lost and began to wander about theforest. They stayed there a long time until the slaughterer grew verycold, for it was the middle of winter.Then from afar, the slaughterer saw a house from whosewindows many candles and lanterns were shining brilliantly.When they drew up before the house, the slaughterer sent thedriver in to see if any Jews were there.When the driver entered the house, he saw many Jewsstanding before an old man who was sitting at the head of a table andgiving a talk.The driver came out and told the slaughterer what he had seen.The slaughterer went into the house. No one even looked athim, because everyone was listening to the old man's words of Torah.The slaughterer stood among the others and listened to the oldman's talk, which pleased him very much.When the old man finished speaking, all the men there turnedto the slaughterer and greeted him.The old man himself called the slaughterer over and greetedhim. He asked him,AAreyou familiar with the teachings of theTorah?@AYes,@replied the slaughterer.ADidyou understand what I said? Were you pleased?@AIwas very pleased,@ replied the slaughter.The old man then asked him,AWhereare you from?@ [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

The Mud of a Jew and Other Hassidic Stories. Vol. 1, Judaizm

Linki