The Fast and the Cake

by Dovid Zaklikowski for Hasidic Archives

Fundraiser for the poor in Israel, Yosef Ashbel, known affectionately by the chassidim of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch as Uncle Yossel, devoted himself to self-refinement and Torah study.

Once, while trying to immerse himself in prayer, he found it difficult to concentrate because of the pain from an infected finger. Distressed that he could not focus, he turned to his finger and said, “Why are you disturbing me from my prayers?” In frustration, he struck his hand on the table. The blow opened the wound, releasing the pus and easing his pain and allowing him to concentrate once more. It was worth the suffering, he felt, for another moment of connection with the Infinite.

Yet when it came to his spiritual pursuits, he wanted no attention or admiration from others. One day, his wife stood by the large ground-floor window of their home, speaking with her sister. As they conversed, Mattel said, “My husband fasts almost every single day, including today.”

Hearing her words, and not wanting anyone to think of him as some holy man, Yosef took a piece of cake, recited a blessing, and ate it. While his wife could not see him from where she stood, her sister could. “Why are you lying?” she exclaimed. “I see that he’s eating right now!”

The sister walked off, but Mattel was left with a new understanding, that for the sake of modesty, it is worthwhile to break even a cherished fast or spiritual practice.

Find Hasidic Archives latest books on HasidicArchives.com