In a world where our phones deliver heartbreaking news and pure celebrations just seconds apart, navigating our emotions has become a real daily avodah.
Sochi relates:
These meaningful words stem from a cherished teaching passed down from my father’s Rebbe in Beis HaTalmud, the yeshiva established by the talmidim of The Mir in Shanghai.
Rabbi Shmuel Charkover Wilensky Zy’A taught(in the original Yiddish down below) that for many, it may be naturally instinctual to rally around someone in pain, to show up at a shiva home, or to support a cause for those going through hard times. Being there for someone’s pain makes a person a tzaddik. That is no small thing!
Yet there is an even higher level: truly, wholeheartedly celebrating another person’s success and joy without reservation or comparison. To see another person get the good news, close the deal, or celebrate a milestone and feel pure happiness for them as if it were your own makes a person a malach. To be a tzaddik is a huge madrega, but to be able to embody the character traits of an angel is even higher.
For Moshiach to finally come, we must actively embody this deep emotional connection and genuine oneness. When we can feel each other’s sorrow and even truly celebrate each other’s simchas, we reveal the absolute unity of Klal Yisrael.
Dedicated in loving memory of Adina Liba, bas yblc”t Zev Chaim, a”h
After Adina Liba’s tragic passing, we all got so much chizzuk from the message that her father gave over, and this song came down during that tragic period of time.
We echo her fathers deep words and daven for the opportunity to carry each other through every challenge, share every joy with a full heart, and merit to see the ultimate Geulah together as one.
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ווען מען פילט דעם ווייטאג פון א צווייטן איז מען א צדיק; אבער ווען מען פילט די שמחה פון א צווייטן איז מען א מלאך.
