ON THE SEVENTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH WE READ THE FOLLOWING STORY ABOUT A TOWN IN POLAND:
Two brothers in Poland were travelling from town to town. They were Rabbis, young, poor and not yet well known. They had to travel on foot from town to town to teach to support themselves. They often did not know where they would eat or sleep. In the Polish town of Ludmir, though, a poor tailor named Aaron would always have a bowl of soup and slice of bread for them despite his growing family whom he could barely afford to feed. There was no guest bed, only a couple of blankets and a place by the stove to sleep.
Over time as the two Rabbi brothers became more well-known for their teachings, they were able to purchase a carriage and horses to carry them in their travels. The time came in their career when they realized it had been a while since they had been to Ludmir and contacted the City Council chair, Reb Joshua, to let him know they would be coming for a visit. Upon arrival Joshua made a very flattering speech about his friends, the now famous Rabbi brothers.
As he spoke the brothers, Elimelech and Zusya, looked through the crowd for a familiar face. There was their friend, Reb Aaron. They told Reb Joshua when he had finished his speech that, while they appreciated his invitation to dine and sleep at his home, they would be going to the home of an old friend. Joshua scoffed and made sure they knew he was displeased with their choice. He whispered, “ But that tailor can barely feed his family and I can offer you the finest. Why look at your carriage and your horses. They would look best at my majestic home. “ The brothers thought but for a moment and then said quietly, “ Well take our carriage and horses and entertain them then but we will be sleeping and eating at the home of our friend Reb Aaron.”
With a smile Aaron took the brothers to his home to have a simple bowl of soup, bread and simple talk about old times between good friends…
THIS STORY ILLUSTRATES GEMILUT HASADIM OR ACTS OF LOVING KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON AT THE TIME OF HANUKKAH. IT IS TRADITIONAL BEFORE EACH OF THE HOLY DAYS TO GIVE GIFTS TO THOSE IN NEED. HAVE YOU? AND DO YOU ALSO ACCEPT FROM THOSE IN NEED? AN EXCHANGE ALLOWS ALL TO EXPERIENCE THE DIGNITY THAT GOD’S LOVE AFFORDS US AND TO KNOW THAT THE GREATEST GIFT WE CAN EVER GIVE OR RECEIVE IS THAT OF THE LOVE OF A SINCERE FRIEND WHO WOULD GIVE US THEIR ALL AND WE FOR THEM.
