Open the Gates of Compassion
Rabbi Preidah had a student with a learning disability, which required the rabbi to repeat each lesson four hundred times. Once, at the start of the lesson, Rabbi Preidah mentioned that he an errand to do after the lesson. Even though Rabbi Preidah taught him the usual four hundred times, the boy did not grasp the lesson. He explained to Rabbi Preidah that the notion that the rabbi had something to do afterwards disturbed his concentration. The rabbi responded, "I want you to absorb the lesson, so I am not going to do my errand today." He then taught him the same lesson an additional four hundred times! As a result of his great compassion, he was blessed with an additional four hundred years of life, and the entire generation attained a share in the eternal World to Come. Lesson: The more compassion we show to each other, the more Heavenly compassion is awakened. Since, Rabbi Preidah's compassion was so extraordinary, his action awakened extraordinary compassion for himself, as well as, his entire generation. App: Be inspired to act with compassion and kindness, and awaken HaShem's compassion for yourself, your family, your community, and Klal Yisrael! (Based on Tomer Devorah, of Rav Moshe Cordevar, and the commentary of Rabbi Matisayhu Salomon) *New printing of the Salant Foundation's "Ohr Yisrael"
*To schedule a ten-minute phone consultation with Rabbi Zvi Miller, send email to rabbimiller@salantfoundation.org |
L"N Rav Yochanon Mordecai Ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leach bas Yehudah
Refuah Shleimah
Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta
Leiba Zlota bas Chana |
