Of Pain and Pane - Monthly Gedolim Story
It is time for the Monthly Gadol Story segment. This round, for the month of Taamuz. The story I have chosen is a simple one, about a wonderful and respected man, Mr. Elimelech Tress zt'l, (known to the world as Mr. Mike Tress).
He was a well-known and loved Agudath Israel activist and askan during his lifetime. This story is about a kindness he did for one Satmar chassid, a kindness, simple in close-up, yet life-changing from other angles.
Once again, it is a simple story, yet worth telling.
He was a well-known and loved Agudath Israel activist and askan during his lifetime. This story is about a kindness he did for one Satmar chassid, a kindness, simple in close-up, yet life-changing from other angles.
Once again, it is a simple story, yet worth telling.
I hope you like it.
All the best,
Your friend,
Yitzy Schweitzer
All the best,
Your friend,
Yitzy Schweitzer
ps. This story was told over by Reb Mike Tress' son Reb Tzvi and featured in Rabbi Paysach Krohns book "The Glittering World of Chesed".
Of Pain and Pane - Monthly Gedolim Story
After davening one morning a man noticed the name "Tress" embroidered in Hebrew on Reb Tzvi Tress' Tefilin bag. When this gentlemen asked Reb Tzvi if he knew a Mr. Mike Tress, Reb Tzvi responded that that the late Mike Tress was in fact, his father.
The man who asked for the connection, paused, then stared at Reb Tzvi as tears welled up in his eyes. "I must tell you a story about your father that happened many, many years ago."
The man than told his remarkable story. He was a Satmar chassid, living in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn and he had lost job because he was a Shabbos observer. As much as he tried he could not find another job and soon, he was penniless and struggling to support his family. Someone told him that in the Agudah office on Bedford Avenue, there was a fellow named Mike who may be able to help him.
"I was a Satmar chassid, I wasn't going to go to an Agudah office and certainly not to go to speak to a clean-shaven man named Mike to help me find a job" the man continued to Reb Tzvi.
The man who asked for the connection, paused, then stared at Reb Tzvi as tears welled up in his eyes. "I must tell you a story about your father that happened many, many years ago."
The man than told his remarkable story. He was a Satmar chassid, living in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn and he had lost job because he was a Shabbos observer. As much as he tried he could not find another job and soon, he was penniless and struggling to support his family. Someone told him that in the Agudah office on Bedford Avenue, there was a fellow named Mike who may be able to help him.
"I was a Satmar chassid, I wasn't going to go to an Agudah office and certainly not to go to speak to a clean-shaven man named Mike to help me find a job" the man continued to Reb Tzvi.
But after two more weeks of pain and poverty, he felt he had no choice. He went to the Agudah office and found Mr. Mike Tress, who greeted him warmly and was ready to help. When the man explained that he desperately needed a job to support himself and his family Mr. Tress asked him, "What do you do?" What is your occupation?"
The man responded "I am a glazier".
"That's very good," Mr. Tress responded "I know a glazier just a few blocks from here who needs a worker. Here give him this note and he'll give you a job". Mr. Tress than wrote out a quick note folded it, gave it to the chassid and him on his way.
Well, wouldn't you know it, the man was hired!
"That first Shabbos, when I had food on the table, I couldn't believe it. I was so happy. But it was not just then. Because every week, I was paid on time and getting a salary made me feel like a person again. Then, after two months, my boss called me into his office and said to me "Go tell Mike Tress that he doesn't have to send me any more money. You are a wonderful worker and from now on, I will pay your salary myself!"
Such was the kindness and greatness of Reb Elimelech Gavriel "Mike" Tress zt'l
The man responded "I am a glazier".
"That's very good," Mr. Tress responded "I know a glazier just a few blocks from here who needs a worker. Here give him this note and he'll give you a job". Mr. Tress than wrote out a quick note folded it, gave it to the chassid and him on his way.
Well, wouldn't you know it, the man was hired!
"That first Shabbos, when I had food on the table, I couldn't believe it. I was so happy. But it was not just then. Because every week, I was paid on time and getting a salary made me feel like a person again. Then, after two months, my boss called me into his office and said to me "Go tell Mike Tress that he doesn't have to send me any more money. You are a wonderful worker and from now on, I will pay your salary myself!"
Such was the kindness and greatness of Reb Elimelech Gavriel "Mike" Tress zt'l
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