Weekly Story: Misplaced Humility
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
This story I also heard from Rabbi Michoel Akiva Gershon ben Rochel Basya. May he and all those that need, be granted a Refuah Shleima. As always, your comments and feedback are most welcomed and appreciated.
The following happened either with the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek or his son and successor the Rebbe Maharash.
The Rebbeim had funds for Tzedokah and from time to time they would send a person to collect money from the Chassidim for these funds. While collecting, that person would also review and explain to the people teachings of the Rebbe. In Lubavitch, the fundraiser on behalf of the Rebbe is called a Shadar. He would plant spiritual thoughts and collect tzedakah. Since he was collecting on behalf of the Rebbe, he was treated with great respect.
One day the Shadar arrived in a village that he visited on a regular basis. Since he was on a mission of the Rebbe, the townspeople respected his time and those that had money with them immediately gave him their donation. The others told him that they will bring it to him at the following Tefilla.
The Shadar had to give the Rebbe a reckoning of how much each person gave, so he wrote it down in a ledger. At the end of the day, he looked at the entire list and noticed that a few of the “regular” contributors didn’t participate. Knowing that they would definitely want to be a part of the Rebbe’s activities and give towards them, he decided he would go to their homes.
Arriving at one home, he knocked on one door and a woman opened the door asking him why he was visiting them. The Shadar explained that he was the Rebbe’s emissary who raises funds for the Rebbe’s activities and would like to speak with her husband.
She let out a sniffle and sadly informed him that her husband was recently deceased.
The Shadar was sorry to hear the sad news and after expressing his condolences, prepared to leave. But the widow asked him to stay saying, “My husband would definitely want me to contribute, so please wait a moment.” She returned a minute later and handed him a golden ruble (which has the value of ten regular rubles).
However, to her shock, instead of smiling in appreciation for this large donation, the Shadar was somewhat downcast. This bothered her and she asked, “Why are you disappointed? I gave you a nice contribution for the Rebbe.”
The Shadar replied, “Yes, this is more than most people give. However, your late husband would contribute five golden rubles, on a yearly basis.”
“Wait a moment,” she told him, “I will examine the accounting books. If I find a record of this contribution, then I will gladly continue doing as he did”.
She left for a few moments and returned with his ledger. In front of the Shadar she reviewed the donations he marked down for the past few years, and it wasn’t noted that he gave the Rebbe five rubles.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “As you see there is no record of such a large donation, so please be satisfied with what I gave.”
The Shadar thanked her and left.
When he concluded visiting the various towns and villages that the Rebbe sent him, he returned to the Rebbe and gave him the money, along with the list of how much each person gave.
When it came to this Chossid’s contribution, the Shadar repeated the above exchange. When the Rebbe heard it, he gave a krechtz. (sigh)
The Shadar was puzzled. He knew that the Rebbe was not bemoaning the loss of the additional four golden rubles. There must be more to the story than meets the eye. The Rebbe saw his puzzlement, and explained the following:
“That late chosid was a wealthy man and conducted himself befitting a man of his stature. Since all of the wealthy people in that town would walk around town with a dog that was on a golden chain, he also did so.
But at night, he would learn Chassidus for up to six hours! Sadly, his family knew nothing of this part of his life, just as they weren’t aware of his very charitable nature. If they would have known, they would have given the larger amount even without checking his ledger book!”
[Seemingly, the Tzemach Tzedek was implying that if his family had been aware of his Chassidishe side, and not merely of his balebatishe side, they would not have doubted the amount mentioned by the shadar].
Of course, Chassidim and Chassidus place great emphasis on הצנע לכת, – on taking pains to ensure that every Chassidishe conduct should be without any בליטות, any fanfare, and shouldn’t even be noticed.
But sometimes it is also necessary, despite the הצנע לכת, to ensure that your family is aware of your standards and your behavior. Therefore, it is prudent that your family and associates understand your priorities and what is important to you, such as learning and giving Tzedakah and not just the external behaviors of driving a fancy car.
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their Chassidim. He can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com
