Weekly Chasidic Story #750 (s5772-29 / 19 Nissan 5772)

Look in the Pot

Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik forbade him to speak in any synagogue in the city.

Connection: Weekly Reading - kosher meat.

 

Look in the Pot


Word went out that a well-known Jewish professional lecturer on Torah subjects was seen frequently in the company of Jewish men who had thrown off the yoke of Torah and mitzvot. In short, the speaker did not practice what he preached.

One day, this speaker arrived in the city of Brisk, where Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik was the chief rabbi and rosh yeshiva. Upon confirmation of the man's doubtful behavior, the Rabbi forbade him to speak in any synagogue in the city.

Immediately, the speaker came to the rabbi and said, "Please, let the Rav come hear me speak. That will prove that I am 100 percent kosher. From beginning to end, my entire speech is filled with wisdom culled from works of Torah ethics and values that have been accepted among our people for generations. Why, then, does the Rav forbid me to speak in the shuls of Brisk?"

"Even if your words are true and correct," Rabbi Chaim answered, "I will not change my mind and let you speak in this city. You are no doubt aware that even if meat is slaughtered by an experienced authorized Jewish slaughterer and koshered in accordance with every requirement of Jewish law, if it is then cooked in a treif pot, the meat becomes completely un-kosher.

"Similarly, concepts that emerge from the mouth of a man lacking fear of Heaven will inevitably have a negative influence on those who hear them."

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Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from "Stories my Grandfather Told Me" (Mesorah) by Zev Greenwald.

Connection: Weekly Reading - kosher meat.

Biographic note:
Rabbi Chayim HaLevi Soloveitchik (1853 - 21 Av 1918) succeeded his father as chief rabbi and rosh yeshiva of Brisk in 1892. His analytical methodology revolutionized the in-depth study of Talmud until this day.

 

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Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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