The year is 1984; we’re living in Yerushalayim where I’m learning in kollel. We decide to drop in unannounced to my wife’s cousin on Rechov Alfandari.

We’re with our infant son so when we arrive at the six-story walk-up I volunteer to wait downstairs while my wife goes up to see if her cousin is in (I always volunteer for the more “difficult” tasks).

As I’m sitting with my son one of the apartment doors opens and a chassid walks out and asks me if I have an appointment. I have no idea for what or with whom so I reply in the negative. No sooner had I said “no” then the door opens again and this time out walks the Gerrer Rebbe the Lev Simcha ztz”l!

The Rebbe who (unbeknownst to me) lives in this building is taking a “break” from his grueling schedule. He sits down next to me on one of two kitchen chairs chained to the railing (I’m sitting on the other). He opens a small sefer nods to me and proceeds to learn. Together we sit in silence each one absorbed in his thoughts.

I think about interrupting him and asking him for a brachah; after all how often does one have the Gerrer Rebbe sitting next to him with no one else around? However I reason he probably has few opportunities to be alone with his thoughts and I opt not to bother him as a small voice inside me tells me this is the right thing to do.

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For the last 30 years I’ve often lost sleep and struggled with myself about whether I was correct in leaving the Rebbe undisturbed and not asking for a brachah.

The other day I was taking a walk; it was much-needed time to unwind and think through a vexing issue. I really wanted to just be alone and I wasn’t in the mood of talking.

Suddenly I saw Baruch heading my way. Whenever Baruch approaches I must prepare myself for at least a 15-minute conversation as Baruch always has an opinion that he insists on sharing complete with all of the details.

I usually don’t mind Baruch’s stories. They’re usually funny and end with a good lesson. Today was different. Today I really needed the time to walk and think.

Surprisingly Baruch didn’t walk to toward me. Instead he crossed the street and walked down a small side lane. Why did Baruch avoid me today? I briefly wondered. But it wasn’t the time to contemplate that question; I was grateful for the reprieve and returned to my thoughts.

As I returned home the next day Baruch was outside my office.

“Hi Rabbi how are you?”

“Baruch Hashem fine; and how are you Baruch?”

“I was going to interrupt you yesterday when I saw you walking” he said “as normally I would take advantage of the opportunity to talk to you.” He paused. “But you were so involved in your thoughts that a small voice inside me told me it wasn’t the time to interrupt you. Something just told me it was the right thing to let you alone with your thoughts.”

Suddenly the memory from over 30 years before was front and center in my mind.

I looked at Baruch and thought how he opted not to disturb me. And I thought of how I’d opted not to disturb the Gerrer Rebbe years before.

My “good deed” had come full circle. It had taken 30 years but my question was finally resolved.

That night I slept well.