Everyone Deserves A Smile - Monthly Gedolim Story
As we now just pass the midpoint of the month of Cheshvan, it is time for another Monthly Gadol Story to be shared. This one is of course beautiful and it is packed with meaning. It is one that has inspired me greatly, and so I wish to share it here with you.
The story features the holy tzaddik Rav Shlomo Halberstam, the great Bobover Rebbe, who was known for his love for his fellow Jew and for his smile, his deeply warm, caring and true smile. The story has been featured in many books, however this rendition of it was taken out from Rabbi Yechiel Spero's latest book, "The Eternal Wisdom of Pirkei Avos"
I hope you like it,
All the Best,
Yitzy Schweitzer
The story features the holy tzaddik Rav Shlomo Halberstam, the great Bobover Rebbe, who was known for his love for his fellow Jew and for his smile, his deeply warm, caring and true smile. The story has been featured in many books, however this rendition of it was taken out from Rabbi Yechiel Spero's latest book, "The Eternal Wisdom of Pirkei Avos"
I hope you like it,
All the Best,
Yitzy Schweitzer
Everyone Deserves A Smile - Monthly Gedolim Story
The face of the Bobover Rebbe, the holy Rav Shlomo Halberstam radiated simcha and joy. Exuding endless warmth and love the Rebbes bright and sparkling smile brought comfort and hope, as well as, a burst of renewed spirit to thousands, whether you were a Chassid of the Rebbe or not, it did not matter. If a Jew was in need, for a bracha or comforting word, the Rebbe was the address. He was always ready to help.
Because of the Rebbes exhausting schedule, he would take a few days of vacation a year to recover and re-energize himself. During this time, it was understood that only in urgent cases would one be permitted to see the Rebbe. If it was not urgent one would have to wait for an answer. Of course, because the great Rav loved everyone, sometimes even trivial matters would become emergencies. If he heard someone was on the phone, often times he would take the call himself and try help in whichever way possible.
Before the Rebbe left for vacation, he would customarily say goodbye to his beloved bachurim in the yeshiva whom he cared for deeply and for whom he served as a guiding light and inspiration. Traditionally, after davening Minchah in the yeshiva, he would say his goodbyes to each of the talmidim. They would form a line and as each bachur would walk passed the Rebbe, he wished each of them a personal farewell. Each young mans face glowed as he received warm blessing and a loving stroke on the cheek
Because of the Rebbes exhausting schedule, he would take a few days of vacation a year to recover and re-energize himself. During this time, it was understood that only in urgent cases would one be permitted to see the Rebbe. If it was not urgent one would have to wait for an answer. Of course, because the great Rav loved everyone, sometimes even trivial matters would become emergencies. If he heard someone was on the phone, often times he would take the call himself and try help in whichever way possible.
Before the Rebbe left for vacation, he would customarily say goodbye to his beloved bachurim in the yeshiva whom he cared for deeply and for whom he served as a guiding light and inspiration. Traditionally, after davening Minchah in the yeshiva, he would say his goodbyes to each of the talmidim. They would form a line and as each bachur would walk passed the Rebbe, he wished each of them a personal farewell. Each young mans face glowed as he received warm blessing and a loving stroke on the cheek
One time, when the Rebbe was going to take his vacation in Arizona, the gabbai advised him that due to running late and heavy traffic it would be best to give a universal goodbye to the whole yeshiva rather than do the regular individual practice, to which the Rebbe agreed.
However when it came time for the actual goodbye, the line formed as it always did and the full procession walked passed the holy Rav. He shook every bachurs hand and each one received a stroke on the cheek. Here and there, if needed, the Rebbe he added a word or two of encouragement or told the boy to send special regards to someone they both knew.
The gabbai was bewildered. They had discussed the matter beforehand and the Rebbe had agreed. Even so, he would not rush or interrupt the Rebbe, that was out of the question. So the Rebbe continued to say his goodbyes, not a flicker of urgency in his demeanor. At long last, he finished and he and the gabbai went to the car that was to take them to the airport.
Once inside the gabbai waited for the right moment, although, not usually did he question the Rebbe. But this time he was anxious and eager to know what had transpired. Finally at the conversations short lull, the gabbai asked his question.
"Why" he began with reverence "did the Rebbe resort to the usual practice of saying individual goodbyes and not go with the general goodbye which I had proposed and to which the Rebbe agreed?"
"I was planning on a quick goodbye" responded the Rebbe, understanding the gabbais need for an answer, "but, as I was about to implement this new plan of action, one dear young man walked over, stuck his hand out and waited for his berachah. Then came another bachur and after him another. Each one walked up to me, eagerly awaiting his berachah and his stroke on the cheek, and when I finished with each young man, he walked away smiling, invigorated and alive."
The Rebbe looked at the gabbai with a sincere expression on his face. "Tell me, by which one should I have stopped?"
However when it came time for the actual goodbye, the line formed as it always did and the full procession walked passed the holy Rav. He shook every bachurs hand and each one received a stroke on the cheek. Here and there, if needed, the Rebbe he added a word or two of encouragement or told the boy to send special regards to someone they both knew.
The gabbai was bewildered. They had discussed the matter beforehand and the Rebbe had agreed. Even so, he would not rush or interrupt the Rebbe, that was out of the question. So the Rebbe continued to say his goodbyes, not a flicker of urgency in his demeanor. At long last, he finished and he and the gabbai went to the car that was to take them to the airport.
Once inside the gabbai waited for the right moment, although, not usually did he question the Rebbe. But this time he was anxious and eager to know what had transpired. Finally at the conversations short lull, the gabbai asked his question.
"Why" he began with reverence "did the Rebbe resort to the usual practice of saying individual goodbyes and not go with the general goodbye which I had proposed and to which the Rebbe agreed?"
"I was planning on a quick goodbye" responded the Rebbe, understanding the gabbais need for an answer, "but, as I was about to implement this new plan of action, one dear young man walked over, stuck his hand out and waited for his berachah. Then came another bachur and after him another. Each one walked up to me, eagerly awaiting his berachah and his stroke on the cheek, and when I finished with each young man, he walked away smiling, invigorated and alive."
The Rebbe looked at the gabbai with a sincere expression on his face. "Tell me, by which one should I have stopped?"
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