Stories Of Greatness

The Mishnah tells us that the Almighty, out of His great compassion, informs us that we, the Jewish people, are His children. The reason for this, explains R’ Leib Chasman zt”l, is that without this important tidbit of knowledge, we might never know who we really are. Imagine a man who, in theory, is the owner of great riches. He can have all the money in the world, but if he cannot access it, what good is all that wealth? We, the children of Hashem, however, were informed about this excessive gift, enabling us to access it, appreciate it, and elevate ourselves with this unduplicable gem.

The following story is told by R’ Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita in his sefer, Aleinu L’Shabei’ach. Meshulam was a star pupil in his cheder, and his parents had enormous nachas from him. Unfortunately, Meshulam’s spiritual descent began at age 17, when his mother passed away. One day, he informed his father that he was taking a trip to India together with a few friends. His father was heartbroken, and his anguish over Meshulam’s spiritual deterioration compounded the grief he felt over the loss of his wife. “Meshulam,” he said in a defeated voice, “what does a frum bachur have to do in India?”

Jewish life in the city of Nikolsburg reached a peak in the early 19th century, outshining that of other towns in Moravia. Jews benefited from the relatively benign regime of the Prince von Dietrichstein family, and a thriving community developed on the western slopes of the imposing hill on which stood the princely palace. Nikolsburg, the seat of the Moravian Chief Rabbi, had a well-known yeshivah, many shuls, and a large graveyard in which many of the famous rabbis of Moravia are buried.

Chazal say that one should not make his words mundane. Every spoken word is precious, for it creates huge fortresses in the upper worlds – both for good and for bad. If one speaks good words, he influences the powers of good and spirituality in his defense. If he does not, he causes the Sitra Achra (Satan) to be aroused, and he creates negative angels who look to prosecute him.

Jewish life in the city of Nikolsburg reached a peak in the early 19th century, outshining that of other towns in Moravia. Jews benefited from the relatively benign rule of the Prince von Dietrichstein family, and a thriving community developed on the western slopes of the imposing hill upon which stood the princely palace. Nikolsburg, the seat of the Moravian Chief Rabbi, had a well-known yeshivah, many shuls, and a large graveyard in which many of the famous rabbis of Moravia are buried.

The following story took place just a few weeks ago, and it demonstrates the incredible hashgachah pratis that Hashem bestows upon His beloved.