There are few among Chassidic masters – and indeed among all Jewish personalities throughout the course of history – as beloved as Reb Zusha (or ‘Zusia’, the Sweet One) of Anipoli. With non-assuming righteousness, almost child-like sincerity and profound self-effacement, Reb Zusha embodied real, natural, down-to-earth holiness.
Reb Zusha was a person of great spiritual sensitivity. A close talmid of the Rebbe Reb Dov Ber, the great Maggid of Mezritch, Reb Zusha cleaved to him in body and soul. Nonetheless, it is said that Reb Zusha was almost never able to listen to a complete Torah lesson related by his Rebbi. As soon as the Maggid would quote a passuk, such as, “Vayidaber Hashem el Moshe leimor, Hashem spoke to Moshe saying …,” Reb Zusha would be seized by an overwhelming sense of the Divine. He would jump out of his seat and shout, “Chevrah, did you hear that? The Master of the World Himself spoke to Moshe Rabbeinu! Hashem spoke to a human being of flesh and blood!” Reb Zusha’s intense hislahavus, spiritual fire, would continue to consume him until the chassidim would carry him out of the Beis Medrash so that the Maggid could complete the shiur.
Years later, Rebbe Baruch of Medzhibuzh was recounting these recurring episodes to his students, and some of the chassidim began to chuckle in jest at the thought of Reb Zusha’s antics. Rav Baruch admonished them: “If only you knew what it means to hear the word of G-d for real, like Reb Zusha….”
Reb Yisrael of Ruzhin recounted that in Reb Zusha’s younger years, he was once present in the home of his rebbe, the Maggid, when a Jew entered with a long list of requests. With his powerful abilities to perceive the hearts of man, Reb Zusha saw that the visitor was guilty of many serious aveiros. Reb Zusha was zealous for his rebbe’s honor, and reprimanded the fellow, “Are you not ashamed to stand here before the tzadik without at least a glimmer of humility and shame?” Embarrassed, the sinful man left, without having met with the Maggid.
While Reb Zusha had good intentions, the episode didn’t sit well with him. Approaching the Maggid, Reb Zusha expressed his regret at seeing the petitioner as unworthy and dismissing him harshly. Said the Maggid, “It doesn’t take much to see what is wrong in another Yid; to see what is right, requires true effort and holiness.” That day, the Maggid blessed Reb Zusha to never see wrong in another Jew – only the good.
The Kotzker Rebbe referred to Reb Zusha as “a genius in humility.” Among the students of the Maggid, Reb Zusha was deeply respected, even while sometimes considered humble to a fault. In his unselfconscious innocence, he would not refer to himself as ich, “I”, rather he would say: “Zusha doesn’t understand,” or “Zusha is hungry,” etc.
One of the better-known and oft-quoted anecdotes tells of Reb Zusha lying on his deathbed surrounded by his family, friends, and closest disciples. Crying, Reb Zusha seemed anxious. One of his students asked him, “Rebbe, why are you crying? You were almost as great as Moshe Rabbeinu and as generous as Avraham Avinu. What do you have to fear of the Next World?”
Reb Zusha answered, “When I pass from this world and stand before the Beis Din Shel Maalah, I am not afraid that they will ask me, ‘Zusha, why weren’t you Moshe, why weren’t you Avraham?’ Rather, I am afraid they will ask me, ‘Zusha, why weren’t you Zusha?’”
Rightfully, this anecdote has become an anthem for living a life of authenticity and individuality, a reminder to ‘run our own race’, stay in our lane and strive to fulfill our own potential. After all, the Ribbono Shel Olam already has nachas from the lives and accomplishments of Avraham Avinu, Moshe Rabbeinu and Reb Zusha. He wants each of us to find our unique path to contribute to the Divine plan.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 22.
