When the Rebbe, Reb Bunim of Peshischa, was young, he was visiting the town of Danzig. He was standing near the sea when something terrible happened. A Yid standing on the shore slipped into the deep water and began to drown.
Everyone panicked, screaming in horror as they watched the poor Yid struggle. Reb Bunim suddenly called out to him, “When you get to the bottom of the sea, please send my regards to the Livyasan!”
Everyone thought it was a strange time for a joke, but something amazing happened. The drowning Yid suddenly found a burst of strength. He kept fighting the waves until he reached a piece of floating wood, held on to it, and safely made it back to shore.
The Yid ran over to Reb Bunim and told him that his little joke had saved his life. All the screaming around him had filled him with despair, but the joke gave him simcha and hope, and with that came the strength to keep fighting.
Reb Bunim would often repeat this story to his chassidim, emphasizing how important it is to always be b’simcha. Simcha gives a person the strength to overcome every challenge, just as the Torah stresses in this week’s parsha: “Tachas Asher Lo Avadata Es Hashem Elokecha B’Simcha, because you did not serve Hashem your G-d with joy.”
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 96.
