From Migdal HaEmek to Abroad - Monthly Gedolim Story
Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, the noted author, biographer and lecturer recently published a beautiful story about hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence) that he heard during a phone conversation with Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman שליט"א the Rav of Migdal HaEmek and the man to whom the story happened.
Some of you may know Rav Grossman as the "Living Legend", the title of Rabbi Seltzers best-selling biography about him. If you've read the book, you'll know that Rav Grossman is a great Tzaddik and a tremendously respected person, whose accomplishments and achievements are simply outstanding and tremendously inspiring.
Now, with Chanukah approaching as I write this, I wanted to share this story as my "Monthly Gadol Story" for the month of Kislev, because its message of recognizing the Divine blessings we all have in our lives and showing Hakoras Hatov to Hashem for all of it, is part of the story and message of Chanukah.
I hope you enjoy
Have an amazing Chanukah,
Your Friend,
Yitzy Schweitzer
Ps. The story, for those wondering was featured in Rabbi Seltzer's Mishpacha Magazine column "A Storied People" and was told over in Rav Yitzchok Dovid's own words.
Some of you may know Rav Grossman as the "Living Legend", the title of Rabbi Seltzers best-selling biography about him. If you've read the book, you'll know that Rav Grossman is a great Tzaddik and a tremendously respected person, whose accomplishments and achievements are simply outstanding and tremendously inspiring.
Now, with Chanukah approaching as I write this, I wanted to share this story as my "Monthly Gadol Story" for the month of Kislev, because its message of recognizing the Divine blessings we all have in our lives and showing Hakoras Hatov to Hashem for all of it, is part of the story and message of Chanukah.
I hope you enjoy
Have an amazing Chanukah,
Your Friend,
Yitzy Schweitzer
Ps. The story, for those wondering was featured in Rabbi Seltzer's Mishpacha Magazine column "A Storied People" and was told over in Rav Yitzchok Dovid's own words.
From Migdal HaEmek to Abroad - Monthly Gedolim Story
During the summer, Rav Grossman, who had been feeling unwell in the recent weeks, had the cellulitis he was suffering from, return with severity. He was on a lot of antibiotics and the situation was rather serious, but thankfully it calmed down enough for him to be able to take a vacation with his family, just as they do every year.
Now, normally they would go and rent someplace up north, but this time they decided to vacation in Arad - a city in the south, not far from the Dead Sea - for security reasons. They also chose that spot because of its quiet and peaceful environment and due to the established community of Gerrer Chasidim there - meaning that there will be good shuls and stores selling food with appropriate hechsherim.
They arrived and got settled in quite comfortably. Rav Grossman felt that this was the perfect place to unwind and catch his breath.
That Friday night, Rav Grossman davened in the Gerrer Shtiebel with his son-in-law. It was a geshmak and lebedig davening and when they were finished, as they were walking home, a chassid came up and introduced himself. He was heading in the same direction as we were.
His name was Shkol. He had come to Arad from up north, as he was part of the Gerrer community in Chatzor, and was staying with his parents until things calmed down.
Rav Grossman asked him if his parents lived nearby, to which the chassid responded that no, they actually lived in another neighborhood not far from where they were. When Rav Grossman then asked if he came to Arad often he also responded that no, he normally doesn't, he normally spends his time back home in Chatzor. This was his first time here for an extended period of time and this was the first time they were in that particular neighborhood where they were staying.
When Rav Grossman asked him his profession, he learned that this man was in the same bushiness as Reb Elimelech Firer - he was a medical expert who gave referrals to people in need of particular kinds of care and by the way he spoke Rav Grossman understood he was a professional type of person, who did his job well.
By that point they had reached the street where their rental was. After finding out that Shkol was staying two doors down from them, they wished each other a good shabbos and went their separate ways.
Friday night was uneventful. But the next morning Rav Grossman felt very ill. Without warning felt a chill come over him, which seemed like an onset of the flu. While his symptoms would have not meant much, or been a big deal, for someone in good health, Rav Grossman still was not yet feeling completely back to himself after his stint with cellulitis.
He took some pain relief tablets, which normally would do the trick and lower fever. But this Shabbos morning, he began experiencing side effects he never felt in the past.
Possibly, he said later, it was due to the antibiotics he was already taking, but shortly after swallowing the pill, Rav Grossman had what seemed to be an advance allergic reaction, which caused his body to swell up, and his throat to begin to constrict.
He could barely make a sound, but somehow, he managed to convey to his son-in-law that his body was shutting down. Although normally they would call Hatzolah or Megan David Avraham, Rav Grossman tried to tell his son-in-law to call Shkol, the man they had spoken to the previous night.
Although his son-in-law did not understand at first, due to Rav Grossman difficulty in giving him the name, because of his difficulty breathing, quite quickly the young man got the hint and ran out to call the man.
Shkol came over immediately, He quickly grasped the situation and understood that Rav Grossman was suffering from an allergic reaction and ran back to get the correct medication needed. He gave it to Rav Grossman and a few minutes later, he was feeling better, as his blood felt as if it was flowing properly again and his throat had felt eased up.
"This has been a very interesting Shabbos," Rabbi Shkol remarked to him.
"What do you mean?" Rav Grossman responded, interested.
"I was actually not home this morning. We ate the Seuda by my parents in the other neighborhood. I just happened to come home early, as I wanted a little peace and quiet before everyone else got home. I arrived just before your son-in-law came by."
Rav Grossman was still digesting what he was saying but then Rabbi Shkol continued.
"Another thing. After we arrived this week, I found time to set up all my medications I had brought with me from Chatzor. Since everything was already in its proper place I was able to grab exactly the medication you needed without a moment lost".
"Of course, let's not forget", Rav Grossman added "that this is the first time that either of us has come to this part of Arad and that you chose a house just two doors down from where I'm staying".
Well, if that is not hashgacha pratis in action at its finest, I tell you, my friends.
Now, normally they would go and rent someplace up north, but this time they decided to vacation in Arad - a city in the south, not far from the Dead Sea - for security reasons. They also chose that spot because of its quiet and peaceful environment and due to the established community of Gerrer Chasidim there - meaning that there will be good shuls and stores selling food with appropriate hechsherim.
They arrived and got settled in quite comfortably. Rav Grossman felt that this was the perfect place to unwind and catch his breath.
That Friday night, Rav Grossman davened in the Gerrer Shtiebel with his son-in-law. It was a geshmak and lebedig davening and when they were finished, as they were walking home, a chassid came up and introduced himself. He was heading in the same direction as we were.
His name was Shkol. He had come to Arad from up north, as he was part of the Gerrer community in Chatzor, and was staying with his parents until things calmed down.
Rav Grossman asked him if his parents lived nearby, to which the chassid responded that no, they actually lived in another neighborhood not far from where they were. When Rav Grossman then asked if he came to Arad often he also responded that no, he normally doesn't, he normally spends his time back home in Chatzor. This was his first time here for an extended period of time and this was the first time they were in that particular neighborhood where they were staying.
When Rav Grossman asked him his profession, he learned that this man was in the same bushiness as Reb Elimelech Firer - he was a medical expert who gave referrals to people in need of particular kinds of care and by the way he spoke Rav Grossman understood he was a professional type of person, who did his job well.
By that point they had reached the street where their rental was. After finding out that Shkol was staying two doors down from them, they wished each other a good shabbos and went their separate ways.
Friday night was uneventful. But the next morning Rav Grossman felt very ill. Without warning felt a chill come over him, which seemed like an onset of the flu. While his symptoms would have not meant much, or been a big deal, for someone in good health, Rav Grossman still was not yet feeling completely back to himself after his stint with cellulitis.
He took some pain relief tablets, which normally would do the trick and lower fever. But this Shabbos morning, he began experiencing side effects he never felt in the past.
Possibly, he said later, it was due to the antibiotics he was already taking, but shortly after swallowing the pill, Rav Grossman had what seemed to be an advance allergic reaction, which caused his body to swell up, and his throat to begin to constrict.
He could barely make a sound, but somehow, he managed to convey to his son-in-law that his body was shutting down. Although normally they would call Hatzolah or Megan David Avraham, Rav Grossman tried to tell his son-in-law to call Shkol, the man they had spoken to the previous night.
Although his son-in-law did not understand at first, due to Rav Grossman difficulty in giving him the name, because of his difficulty breathing, quite quickly the young man got the hint and ran out to call the man.
Shkol came over immediately, He quickly grasped the situation and understood that Rav Grossman was suffering from an allergic reaction and ran back to get the correct medication needed. He gave it to Rav Grossman and a few minutes later, he was feeling better, as his blood felt as if it was flowing properly again and his throat had felt eased up.
"This has been a very interesting Shabbos," Rabbi Shkol remarked to him.
"What do you mean?" Rav Grossman responded, interested.
"I was actually not home this morning. We ate the Seuda by my parents in the other neighborhood. I just happened to come home early, as I wanted a little peace and quiet before everyone else got home. I arrived just before your son-in-law came by."
Rav Grossman was still digesting what he was saying but then Rabbi Shkol continued.
"Another thing. After we arrived this week, I found time to set up all my medications I had brought with me from Chatzor. Since everything was already in its proper place I was able to grab exactly the medication you needed without a moment lost".
"Of course, let's not forget", Rav Grossman added "that this is the first time that either of us has come to this part of Arad and that you chose a house just two doors down from where I'm staying".
Well, if that is not hashgacha pratis in action at its finest, I tell you, my friends.
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