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My fellow Chassidim and loyal readership:

I would like to share with you a personal story that I hope will help and inspire some of you. It is not a story that I am specifically proud of, but sometimes our weak moments can become building blocks for ourselves and others.

Last school year (Elul 5785) began with many challenges for our Yeshiva. We reopened a Yeshiva Gedolah (the Rebbe had opened a Yeshiva Gedolah in Cincinnati in 5736, but it closed a year later) and the local government closed our newly-renovated kitchen and dining room. There were other challenges as well. In short: It was an extremely difficult situation in many ways.

We pulled through the month and I came to the Rebbe for Sukkos. Before I came, I was asked to lead the Farbrengen for “English Eshel” in honor of 13th of Tishrei (Yahrzeit of the Rebbe Mahara”sh). I put my energy into the Farbrengen and I finally felt that I was in the proper mindset to celebrate Sukkos – and deal with the challenges properly.

The next day, Erev Sukkos, was obviously busy but nothing completely out of the ordinary. About two hours before Yom Tov, I checked my email to see if there was anything that I would need to answer before Yom Tov. In my inbox was an email that turned over my stomach. I will not elaborate here, but suffice it to say that however difficult I thought the issues I was dealing with were until now, it became infinitely more challenging (Bh it was not a health or safety issue).

I went to my room and literally collapsed in bed. I could not believe what was happening here. The Yeshiva has run and prospered in a stable and functional manner for a few years bh. The Rebbe has pushed us (through answers in the Igros Kodesh) to grow the Yeshiva Ketana and reopen the Yeshiva Gedolah, and we are now dealing with these challenges? Is this the proper “reward” for our efforts?

I could not physically move but Yom Tov was quickly approaching. I could not see myself being part of “Zman Simchaseinu” in such a mood and mindset. I then remembered a story that I once read in teachings of the Frieerdike Rebbe:

“A certain chossid, distraught, once made a long trek to visit one of our Rebbeim. (When the Frierdiker Rebbe narrated this incident, he added: “And I’m not going to tell you who was the chossid and who was the Rebbe.”) That chossid had come to report that his mentor had come to him in a dream with fearful news: It had been decreed in Heaven that one of his children would pass away. The Rebbe heard his words, sighed, and did not answer.

Since it was before Succos, the chossid remained near his Rebbe until after Yom-Tov, and before returning home, he asked him for a beracha. The Rebbe said, “It will be good; the child will live.” The chossid asked the Rebbe for a promise that this would be so. The Rebbe promised, and then asked him, “What did you do on Simchas Torah?”

The chossid replied, “When everyone was dancing at hakafos I stood by the oven and cried. But then I reminded myself that it was Simchas Torah, so I washed my face and went to dance with the Torah.” The Rebbe replied, “You should know that by doing so, you reversed your situation.” (ספר המאמרים תרפ”ז ע’ 241)

I quickly jumped out of bed and told myself that I will try to be like this Chassid. I was not perfect, as there were times that I let my mind think about what would be waiting for me after Sukkos, but I really tried to focus on the moment and put myself into the joy, dancing, Farbrengens and Mivtzoim of Sukkos. I decided then and there that I would not allow the seemingly doomsday situation to stop me from doing what I need to do.

In all honesty: The issues did not disappear overnight, but boruch Hashem – and seeing so many revealed miracles – we were able to deal with and overcome each challenge as they came. Today, Sukkos 5787, the Yeshiva Ketana is bigger and the Yeshiva Gedolah has tripled! In many ways, we are in a much better place (physically and spiritually) as an institution than we ever were. I did not believe that this was possible, but this is the reality and the truth.

I am not writing this just to share my personal journey. I want everyone that is reading this to think about that story that the Frierdike Rebbe said and share it with others. Entering the joy of Sukkos, without limited calculations, can literally change outcomes!

IY’h, we will celebrate Sukkos with the Rebbe MH”M and experience the ultimate simcha!

Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by email: [email protected].

Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
Rosh Yeshiva – Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati

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