Weekly Story: Honoring Your Host
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
Being that this past week was Chof-Beis Shevat, the yahrzeit of the Rebbetzin, I am posting a story that I heard by a farbrengen in honor of her yahrzeit. Although it is probably known to some of you, nevertheless it is worthwhile to repeat and hear it again. It can reinforce the messages that we have learned from it.
Your comments are most welcomed and thanks to all of you who sent me throughout this week, anecdotes and sayings of Reb Yonah Poltaver. Perhaps another time, I will write more about his greatness. However, I will like to clarify one point.
I wrote that certain chassidim worked with him, and I was corrected that those chassidim worked for him, as the Frierdiker appointed him, as his representative, his בא כח .
However, one of Reb Yonah’s great qualities was that his former talmidim that helped him in these efforts, were treated by him as equals. Yes, at the end he made many of the decisions, but we all are working for the Rebbe and therefore he was willing to hear and accept everyone’s thoughts. Therefore I wrote they worked with him.
Now to this week’s story:
There was a bochur who grew up in Eretz Yisroel and reading sippurim (stories) about the Rebbeim, he knew that by all of the Rebbeim there was a lot of activity in the Rebbe’s house. So when he was old enough to learn in 770, his hope was that he would be able to become a helper in the Rebbe’s house.
So shortly after he arrived, he asked his cousin who happened to be one of those who did some work in the Rebbe’s house, if he could help him in his work.
The cousin replied, I don’t know who told you what, but you should know that no one besides those who are asked to help out or invited to visit, are allowed in the house. It is not my choice and decision who comes in and who doesn’t, and therefore I am sorry, but I cannot bring you in to their house.
The bochur was disappointed, but he realized that is cousin was stating a truthful fact and there was nothing to be done about it. So he said, I beg you, in case there is a time that an extra pair of hands is needed, please offer my services. I am willing to do any type of work in the Rebbe’s house.
Weeks and months went by and no call. Then one day, his cousin gives him the wonderful news; “Tomorrow there is going to a curb side delivery of an air conditioner, and I cannot bring it in on my own. So I asked the Rebbetzin if I can ask someone to help me bring it in and I mentioned that I have you in mind. Your wish has been fulfilled, the Rebbetzin granted you permission. So you should come at such a time.”
The bochur was thrilled, and the following day he helped carry in the air conditioner.
As he was about to leave, the Rebbetzin entered the room, thanked him and said, “There is some food in the kitchen for you to eat, and after you eat, please go out the back door.”
The bochur felt it wasn’t proper for him to eat in the Rebbe’s house, but how can he ignore the Rebbetzin’s words, so he replied, “I was taught to do a favor and help out, without taking something in return.”
The Rebbetzin replied, “I was taught that a guest should leave a brocha in their host’s house. But being that you might feel uncomfortable eating in my presence, I will not be around the kitchen.”
Saying that, she left the room.
Hearing this from the Rebbetzin, he accepted it, and entered the kitchen. There on the table was something to eat as well as a drink. He recited the brochos ate and drank said a borei nefoshos and left.
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He is available to farbreng in your community and can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com
