The Man
Who Blessed People
This is a 19th
century story.
It takes place within the
vast Jewish community in the Russian empire.
Good families used to send
their youngsters to board and study in Yeshivas - which are religious colleges -
where they were educated and gained knowledge in the Torah, the Talmud and the
other literature needed for proper Jewish life.
One of those
Yeshivas was headed by a very devoted master.
He, not only cared to supply
good teaching and nurture, but also cared about the future vocation of the
students.
To some
graduate, he could recommend passing to a higher school where he could be
trained to be a Rabbi or a Dayan.
Another one he
might refer to be a trainee of a great cantor, Hazan, because of his musical
qualities.
To somebody he might suggest
to start a career of a merchant, or even to turn to
craftsmanship, when his talent is it that direction.
Now, it
happened that one of the students was quite good hearted, but also very slow in
learning from the sacred books. He could learn a text by heart but be not sure if he understood the meaning.
And that youth grew up, and
it was high time for him to leave the Yeshiva and be on his own.
The master
called him and said to him: "My beloved son, the time has come for you to
go into real life. I considered your possibilities, and concluded that the most
suitable occupation for you is that you will work in blessing people".
The youth asked what he
meant by that, and the master said: "It is not very complicated. People in
all sorts of trouble will come to you to get a blessing for relief and
salvation, and you will just bless them from your kind heart".
"What
should I do and say?" asked the student, and the master explained:
"You put your hand on the head of that person, and then you whisper and
speak in your heart something like:
'Master of the
universe, here before you, there is a person in distress, who really needs your
help. Please God, save him from his trouble, relieve his suffering, keep your
eye on him and give him good life'.
Now, if it does help the
person – then it is very good; if it doesn't, then it is too bad for that
wretched miserable creature – but in any case this can be a decent
livelihood."
So, the new graduate packed
his belonging, parted from his teachers and friends - and for many years they
did not hear from him.
Over the
years, the master managed to educate and direct over a thousand young people,
and in the course of time he became old.
His health
deteriorated, and eventually he became very ill.
His disciples
and the people close to him turned to the best doctors available, but no
effective cure was found, and his condition became critical.
At that stage,
one loyal follower of his heard that in some town, on the other side of the
country, there is some holy person whose blessing can make miracles in helping
miserable people.
His disciples and family
thought that it is worth trying, because they could see no other hope. The
master feared that the long route would be too difficult for him in his
condition and the cold winter. They
promised him to take good care of him.
They hired a
good covered well-padded cart, and wrapped the master in warm blankets. The
trip took several days, and eventually they arrived at the house of the wondrous
person.
In the place
they found a whole queue of people, waiting to be admitted and get the blessing
they needed.
The waiting
people told them about the man, his routine and his good influence.
Due to the master's
eminence, his old age, his condition and the lengthy route from his place - those
people agreed to let him come in before his turn.
When the
master got in, he recognized the holy man as his graduate to whom he suggested
just this vocation. The man also recognized the master and he was quite
excited.
He said: "I see that
you really need a blessing, and I am more than willing to bless you -
especially you.
And the master said: "I
hear from the people that you are used to bless quietly and the words are not
heard. Can I request that in my case you will speak out loud? Thus I will be
able to learn something from you".
The Man answered: "After
all, it was you who instructed me to whisper. Of course I will do now as you
say".
The holy man
put his hand on the master's head, and he said out loud:
"Master
of the universe, here before you, there is a person in distress, who really
needs your help. Please God, save him from his trouble, relieve his suffering,
keep your eye on him and give him good life. Now, if it does help the person –
then it is very good; if it doesn't, then it is too bad for that wretched
miserable creature – but in any case this can be a decent livelihood."
Retold
by Asher
Shla'in