Dancing Like A Drunkard - Monthly Gedolim Story

The dancing at a wedding is electric. From the upbeat music to the incredible vocals by the singer, to the energetic and brotherly atmosphere of the guests, there is something otherworldly about how Jewish Brothers celebrate a joyous and momentous occasion.

A wedding, or any occassion of sorts, is made even more unique and special, when an important figure, such as one of the bride or grooms teachers or mentors are in attendance. How much more so, if a respected Rabbi or community leader is there. Many stories have been told of how the Gedolei Hador of the previous and current generations who have graced the weddings of their beloved students and how special it was for those students to have their dear teacher in attendance

But what happens when those important guests who want to be there can’t make it?

The following story first appeared in Rabbi Yechiel Speros debut book “Touched By A Story 1”. It is a beautiful and heartwarming story about the famed Gadol Hador, Rav Avrohom Grodzenski Hy’’d. I felt it was perfect for the month of Teves and so I am sharing it here.

I hope you enjoy it.

Yitzy Schweitzer

Dancing Like A Drunkard - Monthly Gedolim Story

The young man was disappointed but he knew there was no way the mashgiach would be able to attend his wedding which would take place in a few months. Although the chassan was extremely close to his Rebbi, Rav Avrohom Grodzenski Hy''d, the mashgiach of Slabodka Yeshiva, the Rebbi had explained that although he really wanted to, he just would not be able to make it. The young man did not for even a flicker of a moment question the Ravs devotion to him or any of the other students. Several moths later, Rav Avrohom travelled to visit a man who needed his spirits lifted. Along the way, when the skies darkened, he stopped off at an inn to spend the night. The inn, which was owned by a kind and accommodating gentile, consisted of a modest building with perhaps a dozen rooms and the Rav felt fortunate to find a room available at such short notice. Thanking the innkeeper for his help, he went up to the second floor, to his room which was in earshot of the main lobby. Approximately an hour later, the sounds of singing and dancing emerged from the Ravs room. The innkeeper had seen this occurrence, all but many a time. He knew sometimes certain people would arrive after a long day, get themselves a little active with a bottle of whiskey and after a short time exhaust themselves to sleep. He figured this individual would do just that and so until than he was willing to allow for the noise and disturbance. Sure enough, half an hour or so later, the dancing stopped completely. The next morning the innkeeper approached Rav Avrohom and asked "Feeling better, my good fellow?" "Pardon me," Rav Avrohom did not understand as to what the man was referring to, but he quickly explained "Well, I know you 'relaxed' last night. I figured you were dancing because you drank a little good whiskey and let yourself 'loosen up' after a big day!" Rav Avrohom looked at the man and wondered how he ever thought he was drinking. "I heard singing and dancing coming from your room last night, you see and so figured you got yourself drinking" explained the innkeeper. To that Rav Avrohom smiled and began to explain himself. "I am the spiritual guide at a school with many dear students, one of which got married last night. I felt so bad that I was unable to attend and share in his joy face-to-face, so I decided to do so by dancing in my own room". The innkeeper stared at this man who stood before him. Boy, was he for real! He had really cared enough to share in his students' joy on his special night. Shaking his head, in wonder and disbelief, he said not a word and walked away.