The Waker and the Big Black Dog

Not long ago, Rabbi Sholom Yerushalmi would walk the streets of Jerusalem, every day, before dawn, to awaken the Jews of Jerusalem from slumber, so that they could serve G-d Al-mighty. Previously, Rabbi Berel Vikar, "The Awaker," had engaged in this task for twenty years. He passed the task on to his friend, Rabbi Sholom, who thereby inherited the profession of the "Awaker."

Every night except Shabbat and Festivals, Rabbi Sholom would arise at midnight, and recite Tikkun Chatzot (the nightly mourning-for-the-Temple prayer) and the daily section of Psalms. Then he would take his flashlight and wander the streets of Jerusalem, sweetly singing, "Arise, awake; now, not later. / Dawn approaches, we must serve the Creator!"

First, he would stroll through the old city. Then, exiting through Jaffa Gate, he would continue through the streets of the Meah Shearim, Nachlat Shivah and Yemin Moshe neighborhoods, and even more! Shortly before dawn, he would return to his old city synagogue, praying Shachrit with the rising sun. From time to time, people would accompany Rabbi Sholom, even singing along with him. Indeed, nothing stopped him. Freezing rain, the bitter cold, or even the heat -- Rabbi Sholom trekked through the streets and alleys of Jerusalem, every day, without fail, singing his exuberant tune.

One morning, while strolling the streets, singing his song as usual, Rabbi Sholom encountered a secular Jew, sitting idly on the steps of his house. As Rabbi Sholom passed by, singing with all his heart, in gentle innocence and joy, the man, annoyed by the song, rose and poured a bucket of filthy water in his face.

Rabbi Sholom continued on his way, as if nothing occurred. He informed no one, save the thug's family later in the day. The next day, the man suddenly passed away! The cause of his passing was unclear. His family did not connect his untimely passing with the attack on Rabbi Sholom.

Two days later, as Rabbi Sholom was making his pre-dawn rounds, he encountered a vicious-looking monstrous black dog. This dog was sitting on the steps where, three nights ago, the now deceased secular Jew had ambushed the rabbi. As he passed the steps, the dog growled ferociously, and leapt towards Rabbi Sholom!

Before the shocked rabbi could react, the dog suddenly halted and lay down at his feet, whimpering loudly. Rabbi Sholom, strong and courageous, ignored the beast. He continued on his way, fulfilling his duties. The dog followed behind. "So what?" Rabbi Sholom murmured to himself. "This is just a typical dog -- nothing unusual, nothing to fear."

The next night, when Rabbi Sholom reached the house of the secular Jew, the dog appeared on the steps again! It growled, displaying razor-sharp teeth. It raced towards Rabbi Sholom and lunged, bellowing a piercing growl...
And again landed in front of Rabbi Shalom and lay down at his feet, and whined unceasingly.

Rabbi Sholom still did not think much of this, and continued on his way, singing, to arouse the pious Jews of Jerusalem from their sleep. Only after the dog returned, day after day, did Rabbi Sholom begin to wonder, "This dog must have some significance. In fact, it probably…." He resolved to go to the Beit Din rabbinical court, informing them of this peculiar, recurring event of this mysterious big black dog.

Upon hearing the story, the rabbis of the Beit Din expressed concern. Perhaps Rabbi Sholom didn't actually see a dog -- perhaps it was an illusion of some sort. Rabbi Sholom had foreseen the rabbis' skepticism. So, previously, he had asked two respectable scholars to accompany him one night. They witnessed the dog and its behavior, and testified accordingly.

The rabbis, although still skeptical, questioned the family of the deceased secular Jew. Perhaps the mysterious dog that appeared each night on the steps of their house is somehow connected to their relative, who had passed away. The family laughed at such notions, such "absurdity."

That night, while sitting by the window of his house, one of the sons noticed the black dog. Mockingly, he called out his father's name. Immediately the mysterious dog vaulted towards the window, barking madly and then growling viciously. The son almost fainted from fright. Disturbed, the family returned to the Beit Din the following day, and reported this event.
"It would seem," resolved the court, "this dog is connected to the deceased, somehow. We shall develop a 'plan of repentance' which the family must accept, thereby rectifying the sin of the head of their family."

The chief rabbi of the Beit Din, Rabbi Mordechai Leib, sought the advice of the esteemed Rabbi Chayim. The latter, who was old, weak and in ill health, rarely appeared to take part in the judgments of the court. But Rabbi Mordechai Leib personally went to his house, requesting his advice and assistance in this peculiar, perplexing case, and related the episode of Rabbi Sholom and the mysterious dog. Rav Chayim knew Rabbi Sholom personally, as they had dined together on many occasions. His immediate reaction was that Rabbi Sholom had conveyed an accurate picture of the events, without exaggeration, because, "My friend, Rabbi Sholom, is a man of upright character, indeed."

When Rabbi Chayim entered the Beit Din, the other members of the court greeted him with awe. The elderly sage sent messengers to immediately summon the family in question, who appeared an hour later, though somewhat grudgingly. Rabbi Chayim addressed the family,

"Your father, by attacking Rabbi Sholom, committed an evil act. He might have silenced the voice of Rabbi Sholom, who awakens the Jews of Jerusalem to serve the Creator, before dawn. Thus, it seems to me, the Al-mighty reincarnated his soul, into this dog. Just like your father, this dog also disturbs the efforts of Rabbi Sholom."

"Therefore," commanded Rabbi Chayim, "We have prepared a 'plan of repentance,' to rectify this situation. This shall free the soul of your father from the dog. Now, listen. As you know, Jerusalem is full of houses of prayer and study, thank G-d. Since your father with his nasty attack endeavored to interrupt their holy activities, your repentance will entail: (1) asking the forgiveness of Rabbi Sholom, (2) providing warm drinks each night for the scholars who study in the houses of prayer and study, and (3) in the winter, you must also provide the synagogues and houses of study with wood, for heat. This is how you will rectify the sin of your father."

The family immediately accepted the court's verdict and the 'plan of repentance.' Indeed, even in recent years, this family still provided warm tea and coffee to the synagogues and houses of study, providing for the scholars of Jerusalem who were immersed in nightly Torah study, as well as fuel for heating in the winter.

The rabbinical court, after finishing with the family, addressed Rabbi Sholom. "Rabbi Sholom, we command you as follows. The next time you encounter this poor soul, trapped in the dog, say: 'In the name of the chief rabbis of Jerusalem and its main rabbinical court, you have already accomplished your soul rectification, and I, Rabbi Sholom Yerulshalmi, forgive you completely!'"

The next night, Rabbi Sholom encountered the beast in the same place. He interrupted his song and called out at the dog, in the formula the Beit Din had commanded him: "In the name of the chief rabbis of Jerusalem and its main rabbinical court, you have already accomplished your soul rectification, and I, Rabbi Sholom Yerulshalmi, forgive you completely!"

The dog instantly disappeared, and was never seen again.
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Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from Hear and Your Soul Shall Live, the weekly publication of Rabbi Moshe Weber's teachings and stories (Rabbi Yitzchak-Ido Erhlich-Weber, editor)

Yrachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and editor of Ascent Quarterly and the AscentOfSafed.com and KabbalaOnline.org websites. He has hundreds of published stories to his credit.