“I feel guilty that I can’t be giving the people the proper chizuk they came for”

Living Higher

Rav Binyamin Finkel, the widely revered mashgiach of Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim, was in America last week on behalf of the yeshivah. After a tiring day of meetings, Rav Finkel was scheduled to have kabbalat kahal — public reception hours — in the home of Rabbi David Haber in Deal, New Jersey. There he remained for hours, listening, sympathizing, and blessing the scores of Jews seeking an audience with the tzaddik. Only later did they learn of an exchange that had taken place between Rav Finkel and Rabbi Haber.

“At one point, the Mashgiach turned to me and asked if we could resume kabbalat kahal the next night,” Rabbi Haber shared. “I hesitated for a moment because so many people were waiting. Noting my apprehension, the Mashgiach smiled reassuringly. ‘Of course, I’ll continue to see all the people waiting now,’ he said. ‘The only reason I wanted to postpone was because I feel that I’m not at full strength. I feel guilty that I can’t be giving the people the proper chizuk they came for.’”

Rabbi Haber assured the Mashgiach that the people were perfectly content to receive his brachah, weary as he was. And so the blessings continued to flow, pouring forth from the man whose only concern is for others.

Overheard

We all remember where we were when we heard the news: Trump has been shot. For a moment our hearts stopped. World history would have been altered forever. We’re living in hectic, chaotic times, and we hope im yirtzeh Hashem soon, things will become calmer. But why was the former president saved? What saved him? He was standing at the podium, speaking in Butler, Pennsylvania, when suddenly shots were fired. A madman 130 yards away shot at Trump; had the president not turned his face the slightest bit, the bullet that nicked his ear would have killed him instantly. One turn of the head can alter not only your personal future but the trajectory of the entire world.

There is a phrase in Chazal: “Yesh koneh olamo b’shaah achas — One can acquire Olam Haba in one moment.” Says the Sfas Emes, “shaah” doesn’t only mean a moment. It means a “turn.” All of Olam Haba can be acquired “b’shaah achas” — by turning your head once. With one turn of your head, you can save yourself, your life, and future generations.

Yes, there will be times when you will try to turn and the yetzer hara will nick you. You will be hurt, wounded, spiritually bloodied. But don’t leave that stage until you can raise your fist, look at the enemy, and say, “Fight, fight, fight.” Because that can inspire an entire world.

—Rabbi Yechiel Spero, speaking on a video clip for Vayimaen, an organization that posts daily clips providing chizuk for shemiras einayim. The message is especially pertinent during the thick of these summer months, when even basic levels of modesty are cast away. With one turn of the head, says Rabbi Spero, you can save a world.

The Lens

As morning starts to break in Bnei Brak, Slabodka Rosh Yeshivah Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, clad in his tallis and tefillin, makes his way through the streets to a vasikin minyan. After davening, he’ll be heading off to England, spearheading a mission, along with other gedolim, to prevent the kollelim and yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael from collapsing as a result of the recent massive government cuts.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1022)