One of Our Very Own - Monthly Gedolim Stories
I write this having just posted my 120th poem on the blog. The poem chosen for this occasion is titled "Bruises in the Mind" and it is the fifth poem in my "Teenage Perspective" series, where I write poems related to struggling teenagers.
This story, which first papered in Rabbi Yechiel Speros book "Touched by a Story 3" and is my Monthly Gadol Story for the month of Teves, also features a struggling young man, who after, many long days of neglect, shame and hurt, is healed by the soft, loving words of his Rebbe, the Rebbe of Vizhnitz.
I hope you all can relate and find meaning in the message of the great sage, which are so simple, yet packed with layers and layers of understanding and truth.
Have a great week ahead,
Yitzy Schweitzer
Have a great week ahead,
Yitzy Schweitzer
One of Our Very Own - Monthly Gedolim Story
Shmuel's family felt as though they were talking to a brick wall. No matter what they said, nothing changed. Literally, like a brick wall, their words were getting slammed on to it, yet kept falling down off it, time and time again. The year was 1896 and our friend, Shmuel, who had come from a loving and traditional Vizhnitzer Chassidic home, had left the beautiful path of Torah. At that time, , children leaving the fold was considered an unusual event and because of that, Shmuel's family had no "road map"or foundations on which they could reach him.
Despite his friend, teachers and relatives trying to speak with him, nothing changed as he remained totally disenchanted with the traditions of his past. Struggling and waging his own mental wars, he felt hopeless. It was as if something other than himself was forcing him to rebel. This rebellion relegated him down to the lowest of his peers and he felt totally alone. His pain was so bad. He just wanted to tell everyone that all he needed was warmth and love. But he could not do it. As he continued to wage his mental wars, his anger and resentment grew.
Despite his friend, teachers and relatives trying to speak with him, nothing changed as he remained totally disenchanted with the traditions of his past. Struggling and waging his own mental wars, he felt hopeless. It was as if something other than himself was forcing him to rebel. This rebellion relegated him down to the lowest of his peers and he felt totally alone. His pain was so bad. He just wanted to tell everyone that all he needed was warmth and love. But he could not do it. As he continued to wage his mental wars, his anger and resentment grew.
Wherever he walked, he felt looks of disdain, contempt and derision, which only caused the problem to feed upon itself, as the more resentment he felt from his community the angrier and lonelier he became, until he was considered the outcast of Vizhnitz.
One day, however a message ran riot through town. The holy Rebbe himself wanted to see Shmuel and speak with him. Many who heard this wondered what Shmuel would dare say to the pious sage and many wondered if anything would come of that meeting.
Shmuel entered the Rebbes chamber with a cynical attitude and plenty of emotional baggage. The door closed and a few hours later Shmuel emerged with red eyes, a broken heart and a shy, yet noticeable smile. Not long after, ever so slowly, Shmuel worked his way back, to his family, community and faith, all the while turning to the Rebbe, for advice, encouragement, and guidance on every matter, becoming extremely close to him.
Although he never disclosed what the Rebbe had told him on that day, those close with the Rebbe, asked him what he had said to the lost youngster to change his attitude. His answer is timeless, packed with droplets of meaning.
"When one takes a piece of wood and places it into a river, no matter how many times that wood is washed over, it remains a piece of wood. This is because the wood is a foreign object. The river maintains its identity and so does the wood - with neither willing to compromise in any way. However, if one were to take a big block of ice and place it into the river, it might take a while, but eventually, that block of ice will blend into the river, ultimately becoming part of it. This is because the river and the ice are really the same element. The components are perhaps different as one has become hard and indifferent due to the cold and rigid atmosphere. But as the block enters the river and water washes over the hard chunk of ice it loses its rough edges, becomes smoother and smaller and ultimately returns to its original state.
The Vizhnitzer Rebbe smiled at his disciples as they understood the message he had given to his young friend. While the rest of the community shunned Shmuel and made him feel unwanted, the Rebbe had convinced him that he was still part of the flowing river. Yes, perhaps hardened because of the cold environment, but scared, anxious and desperate to be loved once again.
Although he never disclosed what the Rebbe had told him on that day, those close with the Rebbe, asked him what he had said to the lost youngster to change his attitude. His answer is timeless, packed with droplets of meaning.
"When one takes a piece of wood and places it into a river, no matter how many times that wood is washed over, it remains a piece of wood. This is because the wood is a foreign object. The river maintains its identity and so does the wood - with neither willing to compromise in any way. However, if one were to take a big block of ice and place it into the river, it might take a while, but eventually, that block of ice will blend into the river, ultimately becoming part of it. This is because the river and the ice are really the same element. The components are perhaps different as one has become hard and indifferent due to the cold and rigid atmosphere. But as the block enters the river and water washes over the hard chunk of ice it loses its rough edges, becomes smoother and smaller and ultimately returns to its original state.
The Vizhnitzer Rebbe smiled at his disciples as they understood the message he had given to his young friend. While the rest of the community shunned Shmuel and made him feel unwanted, the Rebbe had convinced him that he was still part of the flowing river. Yes, perhaps hardened because of the cold environment, but scared, anxious and desperate to be loved once again.
With the tragic amount of young teenagers at risk today, we must try and understand them, listen to them and most of all accept them as part of Klal Yisroel, still part of the flowing river of life and love.
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