Good Shabbos Everyone: Parshas Tzav 5767

Good Shabbos Everyone. This week's parsha begins with the word Tzav. Rashi explains that "Tzav" indicates "zerizus" - alacrity. Alacrity - moving quickly - is an important aspect of serving Hashem. Because, one who does mitzvahs with an eagerness, will be able to do more mitzvahs and do the mitzvahs more completely. The following story illustrates one Jew's eagerness to help others.
Eli was a bit concerned about the way his car sounded as they drove out of Brooklyn Friday early noon-time. But the car was driving all right, so he put it out of his mind. Unfortunately, just as they exited the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel-right in front of the World Trade Center, (which still stood at the time) -Eli's car suddenly quit in the middle of the intersection. Car horns blared as drivers detoured around them. Eli and his passengers managed to push the car to the side. Then he pulled out his cell phone and called the AAA.
How long will it take for a tow truck to get here?" he asked the operator. "It will be two hours, sir." Two hours! Eli and his friends looked at each other in dismay. It was already after one o'clock. It was a three hour trip up to Thent, a small town in up-state New York, where the group was driving to a Shabbaton.
Shabbos was at 6:09. One did not have to be a mathematical genius to realize that there wouldn't be enough time to make it to Thent in time for Shabbos. "Maybe we should go home," one of the passengers suggested. But then they wouldn't have a minyan up in Thent. Many of the other invitees had already left for the farm where the Shabbaton would be held, and they were counting on them for a minyan. "And all the food's in the car!" Eli suddenly remembered as he looked at the food that he was bringing up for the Shabbaton. "We have to get it up there somehow."
"Maybe we can get a car service to take us," another one of the guys if suggested. "Good idea," Eli agreed. "I'll take care of my car. You go ahead with the food." It was a good idea. There was just one small problem: no car service was willing to come on a Friday afternoon to take them on a three-hour trip to Thent.
Once again, they were staring at each other in dismay, when a brand new Lexus came to a halt right near them. The driver stepped outside and walked over to where they were standing. "Let me take a look at your car," he offered. "Maybe I can find the problem." They watched hopefully as he marched over to the car and lifted the hood. "It's gone," he proclaimed, after studying the engine for a few minutes. "This car is going nowhere." He walked back to the Lexus and said something to the passenger inside.
Then the passenger door opened and a religious Jew stepped out. "My driver says your car is finished." His gaze took in their Shabbos attire. "Where were you trying to go? Maybe I can give you a lift or help out in some way." Eli explained about the trip to Thent.
"We can't turn around and go home, because the food is in the car and they're counting on us for a minyan. We have to get there somehow."
"No problem." the man said instantly. "Here, take the keys to my car drive up there and have a good Shabbos. There's a built-in computer navigator so you won't get lost." The driver looked at his employer with astonishment. "Are you crazy? How can you give them the car? You just drove it off the dealer's lot! It's brand new!" Said the driver. The religious man shrugged. "What's the big deal? It's just a piece of plastic that happened to cost $60 000."
Eli and his friends could not believe it. They didn't even know the man's name and he was willing to lend them his brand-new, expensive car! But they weren't going to turn the offer down. Immediately they transferred the food and seforim (Jewish books) over to the Lexus then settled down inside. Eli held the keys out to one of the other passengers. "Here you'll have to drive. I need to stay here to get my car towed."
"Don't worry about that," their benefactor spoke up. "I'll take care of the towing and I'll find my way home. Just go and have a good Shabbos." As Eli drove off he realized that he hadn't even asked the man his name! Even with the new car their problems weren't over. Traffic was very heavy and more than once they seriously considered turning back. But the thought of how the rest of the group was counting on them made them continue on. They could always spend Shabbos in a motel if it came to that. But they had to try their best.
Traffic finally eased up at around 4:30 in the afternoon. Just then Eli's cell phone rang. "This is AAA. We're in front of the World Trade Center but your car isn't here. Did you tow it already?" Eli realized that the man had the car towed-at his own expense.
At 5:45, with 24 minutes left until Shabbos the Lexus pulled into the Pamoner farm in Thent. The rest of the group, relieved by Eli's arrival, were impressed by the way they had traveled in style. Shabbos was beautiful and inspiring.
After Shabbos, Eli drove back to the city, tracked down the owner of the car - Mr. Isaac Lefkowitz - and brought his Lexus back to him. "We don't know how to thank you," Eli exclaimed. "You really saved our Shabbos."
"There's even more to the story," Mr. Lefkowitz told him. "I have a very successful business, but for years I've been bothered by the way I arrive home late on Friday afternoon, with hardly any time to prepare for Shabbos. This past Rosh Hashanah, I made a resolution that I would close up earlier on Fridays." He paused, then looked at Eli. "This Shabbos was the first week I left early. And there you were, waiting outside with your car." (From Visions of Greatness Reb Yosef Weiss, Vol. 6, p.89)
We should always jump at the opportunity to do a favor for a fellow Jew. The more desperate someone is for our help, the greater the mitzvah is to help him without delay.

Good Shabbos Everyone

Good Shabbos Everyone - Parshas Vayikra 5767

Good Shabbos Everyone. In our portion this week Vayikra, the Torah describes the various korbanos - sacrifices which were brought in the tabernacle and later in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The root of the word korban - (sacrifice) is karov which means close. The essence of the korbanos was that they brought Jews closer to Hashem. The korbanos are sacrifices for Hashem. Our lesson this week is therefore the following: Whenever we make sacrifices for Hashem, we grow closer to Hashem and His Holiness. The following amazing and touching true story illustrates how two friends grew closer to Hashem.
Binyomin Greene grew up in a divided home - his mother was observant and his father secular. On Friday nights, his mother lit her Shabbos candles and his father came home from work and turned on the television. However, Binyomin's father was tolerant and did not object to his wife observing any religious laws she wanted, nor to sending the children to Hebrew day schools.
Little Binyomin followed his mother's guidance until he was eleven years old; then he became very friendly with Clarence, whose family had moved onto his street. Clarence was a boy of African descent and was a year older than Binyomin was. Unfortunately, at the tender age of 12, Clarence was already taking drugs, and had been arrested for theft, and regularly skipped school. Binyomin admired Clarence's courage in doing all the things he wanted, and though Binyomin did not follow Clarence's illegal actions, Binyomin became very influenced by Clarence and slowly drifted away from all his mother's teachings.
Eventually Binyomin left Hebrew school and attended a public high school. Binyomin kept up his close friendship with Clarence, who had already served several short prison terms.
When Bennie, as his friends now called him, graduated from high school, he left home and went to college in another city. He had completely left his Jewish roots, but remained a decent person. One evening he received a call from Clarence, who had just been released from prison. "Bennie," Clarence announced, "I've had it! My life is a sorry mess, and if I don't do a turn-about, I'll end up in the electric chair. I've been doing some real serious thinking," he went on. "Ready for this, Bennie? I've decided that I like what I see about the Jews. I remember your Mom and how you grew up. I would like to convert, if the Rabbis will accept a black man and an ex-con who wants to become a Jew." Binyomin was astonished.
But Clarence meant what he said, and made inquiries until he found an understanding Rabbi who spelled out the many conditions he would have to meet in order to convert. He got right into it and as Clarence became more and more engrossed in his studies, he changed significantly and found the truths he had been lacking. He met Binyomin from time to time, and even tried to encourage him to go back to his Jewish roots.
When Clarence's conversion was final, he telephoned his old friend, saying "my name's Avrohom now." Clarence then told his friend, "Listen, Bennie, I have a great idea for you - why don't you go to Israel and try to find yourself over there among our people?" Something clicked for Binyomin, and he did just that. Shortly after he arrived in Jerusalem, he was directed to a yeshiva for ba'alei teshuuah, and there in yeshiva Binyomin began to reconnect with his Jewish roots. Slowly he realized that he felt peace of mind for the first time in years.
After a few months in Eretz Yisroel, Binyomin decided to enter a higher-level yeshiva and he settled down to study Torah diligently. A few years later he met a very fine girl who had converted to Judaism several years before, and they were married and soon after had children. Binyomin now teaches in a yeshiva in the afternoons, and studies in a kollel (a yeshiva for married men) in the mornings. It was a long road back that Binyomin traveled, but it was his African American friend, Avrohom, who opened his eyes, heart, and soul to that path, which led to his becoming the Torah Jew he is today. (From, Shining Lights, P. 75 R. Shain)
We can be inspired by this story to strive for spiritual growth. We see how much trouble some people are willing to go through in order to become Jewish. How much more so then should those who were born Jewish make efforts to grow close to Hashem through making sacrifices in life. Good Shabbos Everyone.

Good Shabbos Everyone

Good Shabbos Everyone - Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei 5767

Good Shabbos Everyone. In the 1920's, a secularist leader in Eretz Yisroel, who was known for his outspoken criticism of the Torah community, suddenly became critically ill. He was brought to the British Missionary Hospital in Jerusalem which, as its name indicates, was owned and operated by Christian missionaries. The hospital was open only to Jews, for its real purpose was not to heal the sick but to introduce Jews to gentile beliefs. Near every bed was a copy of the "New Testament" and the walls of each room were decorated with religious proclamations. Jerusalem's rabbinate had issued a strict ban against even setting foot into the Missionary Hospital.
After being in the hospital for four weeks, the secularist's condition had deteriorated to the point where doctors declared that there was no hope for recovery.
The man's family realized that the only ones who could help them at that point were the doctors at Shaarei Zedek Hospital. Shaarei Zedek had been founded by Jerusalem's Torah community; its staff, headed by the legendary Dr. Moshe Wallach, was known to be the best in the country. The family feared, however, that the patient would not be granted admittance into Shaarei Zedek, since he had ignored the rabbinate's ban and was known as a forceful opponent of the Torah community.
The family concluded that their only hope was to speak to the city's revered Rav, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, who was known for his kindness and love toward every Jew. Someone was chosen to represent the family, and he went to R' Yosef Chaim's humble home in the Old City.
As the man made his way through the streets of Jerusalem, a terrific thunderstorm struck. Wet and shivering, the man entered the Rav's home and found him deeply immersed in study. The visitor apologized and related the entire story.
R' Yosef Chaim promptly closed the sefer before him, donned his coat and prepared to leave for the hospital. Outside the thunderstorm was still raging, so the visitor blocked the door, refusing to allow the Rav to go out in such treacherous weather. "I only asked for a letter, not that the Rav should go out in the storm," he said. To this, R' Yosef Chaim replied, "When a Jewish life is in danger, a letter is not enough. I must personally attend to fulfilling this great mitzvah. "
As the visitor later related: "Still speaking, the Rav dashed out of the room and in a moment he was up the steps. Young as I was, I had trouble keeping up with this seventy-five-year-old man. No sooner had we set out than the rain became torrential. I advised the Rav to wait until it let up a bit. In response, he only quickened his pace, exclaiming, 'Can a few drops of rain deter a person who is going to save a Jewish life?'
"I breathlessly followed the Rav until we reached the Jaffa Gate. There we boarded a carriage and ordered the driver to get us to the hospital as quickly as possible. The Rav drew his worn Tehillim from his pocket; I sat transfixed by the glow on his face as he quietly prayed."
As soon as they arrived at the hospital, R' Yosef Chaim wasted no time in arranging for the patient's immediate admittance. Two weeks later the man was released from the hospital having fully recovered. Knowing how agitated the man became whenever the Torah community came under discussion, his friends decided not to tell him of R' Yosef Chaim's involvement in his case.
During a speech at a groundbreaking ceremony one year later, this secularist declared, "We will build the land in our own way and with our own strength. We will build this land by waging a fight to the death against the black arm of Rabbi Sonnenfeld and his cronies!"
Seated in the audience was the messenger who had come to R' Yosef Chaim on that stormy day to seek his help on the man's behalf. Upon hearing the man's terrible remarks, he jumped up and shouted, "How dare you! Have a little respect for the saintly rabbi to whom you owe your very life!" The messenger then made his way to the podium and spoke at length about the efforts of R' Yosef Chaim to save the speaker's life. (Shabbos Stories, Reb. Shimon Finkelman, p. 122)
It states in the parsha, "and Bnai Yisroel had done everything that Hashem commanded Moshe, so did they do." Is it not redundant that the verse states, "so did they do?" The Torah is perhaps hinting to a basic principle in Jewish belief: we are obligated to follow the advice of our Torah leaders. The Ramban explains in parshas Shoftim, that it is crucial that every Jew listen to his Rabbi. Because, we are a society of laws, and the Rabbis are our judges. A society which does not heed its judges, is doomed to chaos.
We see the greatness of our Torah leaders from the inspirational story we told this week. R' Yosef Chaim was truly a Tzadik, a righteous person who lived an exemplary lifestyle which we can all emulate. Good Shabbos Everyone.

Good Shabbos Everyone

Good Shabbos Everyone - Parshas Mishpatim 5767

Good Shabbos Everyone. There was no denying it. Life was becoming more frightening with each passing day. The Germans had occupied the town and the deportations to the concentration camps had begun. Mendel and Moshe were ready when their turn came. They knew that they would not be allowed to take very much along with them.
One item, however, they made sure to take � their tefillin. And they both vowed that come what may, they would strive to fulfill this precious mitzvah every single day. It was not long before the brothers found themselves on a cattle-car bound for Auschwitz. As soon as they arrived at the camp, they were ordered to undress and their every possession, including their tefillin, was taken from them.
Immediately, the two began searching for a way to get themselves another pair of tefillin. They discovered that all religious articles which the Nazis had confiscated had been thrown into a shed on camp grounds. The Nazis often saved such articles because they planned to build a "museum of the Jews" after the war, so that future generations would know that there was once a people known as "the Jews" which the Germans, the "master race," had wiped off the face of the earth.
One day, Mendel noticed that one of the gentiles working at the camp seemed like a fairly decent fellow. He asked the man what his price would be to get him a pair of tefillin from the shed. The gentile replied that he wanted a day's food rations. Mendel quickly agreed.
The next day, the man brought the tefillin and Mendel handed over the little bread and watery soup that was supposed to have sustained him for that day. When Mendel opened the boxes which housed the tefillin he became filled with dismay � they were both tefillin shel yad (of the arm)! He sought out the gentile and explained the problem.
The gentile replied, "Look here, Jew. I took a big risk bringing you those things. And how was I supposed to know that you wanted two different boxes? If you want me to risk it again, it will cost you another day's food."
Mendel agreed. He fasted two consecutive days, but he had a pair of tefillin. Mendel and Moshe shared their tefillin with any Jew who wanted to put them on. Before long, as many as fifty Jews a day took turns fulfilling this mitzvah.
All were well aware that to get caught would probably mean death. One day, a capo entered the barracks and asked Mendel if he could borrow the tefillin. Mendel had no choice but to give the capo the tefillin. He never returned them. The next day, news spread through the camp that a new transport of Jews would be arriving that day. Well aware of the risk involved, Mendel stood near the barbed wire fence which surrounded the camp, waiting for the transport to arrive.
As soon as the frightened deportees entered the camp grounds, Mendel hurried over to them. "Who has tefillin, who has tefillin'?" he asked frantically, as he hurried up and down the columns of people. Finally, one man called out, "I have tefillin."
"Then please, give them to me," said Mendel. "If you hold on to them, they will surely become lost to you, for you will be ordered to hand over your every possession. But if you give them to me, I will do my very best to guard them, and I will try to return them to you as soon as possible."
The man gave Mendel the tefillin. The man was old and weak and the Nazis had no use for him. They murdered him that same day. Mendel kept the tefillin and, as in the past, shared them with everyone.
Then one day, it happened. While one of the prisoners was wearing the tefillin, a Nazi entered the barracks. The Nazi flew into a rage. He demanded that the tefillin be handed over and asked to whom they belonged. Mendel raised his hand.
"You should really die for this," the Nazi said, "but I've thought of an even better punishment. This afternoon, we're going to assemble all the prisoners in this section. They will all gather in a circle around a fire. And you," he continued, pointing to Mendel, "will throw your 'precious treasure' into the flames!"
He tossed the tefillin back to Mendel and left. The inmates were crestfallen. Some of them went over to comfort Mendel, while the man who had been caught wearing the tefillin begged forgiveness in case he had not been careful enough. Mendel assured him that there was no reason to apologize.
"As for that beast's orders," he continued, "I've prepared for such a possibility." He bent down near his bed and pried up a floorboard. From underneath the floor, Mendel withdrew what looked like a pair of tefillin. "I made these a while back, thinking that they might come in handy some day. Today is the day."
That afternoon, the Jews assembled in a circle around a bonfire which the Nazis had set. As the Nazis looked on mockingly, Mendel threw his empty wooden boxes into the flames.
The next morning, he and his friends donned the tefillin, just as they had the previous mornings. It was 1945 and the war was quickly drawing to a close. The Nazis, realizing that defeat was inevitable, had stopped providing even the pitiful rations which they had given until that point. Prisoners had to fend for themselves to keep from starving.
Mendel was dreadfully weakened from all the hardships and backbreaking work he had endured. He lay on his bed with his eyes closed, barely alive. Moshe was in somewhat better health and he rushed about the camp frantically, trying to find even a crust of bread which would keep his brother alive. A German was riding a wagon through the camp. Moshe noticed something fall off the wagon. He rushed over to pick it up � it was a lump of sugar, a precious commodity!
Quickly, he hurried over to someone. "Would you trade me a few slices of bread for a lump of sugar?" The items were exchanged and Moshe ran back to his barracks. He crumbled the bread into small pieces and proceeded to place a few crumbs into his starving brother's mouth.
Mendel opened his eyes and looked up at his younger brother with a mixture of love and gratitude. After swallowing a couple of mouthfuls, Mendel attempted to speak. Moshe had to bend down and place his ear near his brother's mouth to hear what he was saying.
"Moshe . . . Please bring me the tefillin ... I haven't worn them today. . ." The next day, the Allied armies took control of the camp. Mendel and Moshe eventually made their way to America, along with their precious tefillin. (Shabbos Stories p.212 R. Shlomo Finkelman)
Every Jew has the ability and obligation every day to speak to His creator through the vehicle of prayer. We learn of the obligation of prayer in our weekly parsha Mishpatim. As the verse states, "You shall worship Hashem..." (Shemos 23:25) From this verse, the Rambam derives the source of the mitzvah of daily prayer. (Hilchos Tefilah, 1,1)
Hashem hears our prayers, and if we are worthy, we answers our prayers also. As Dovid HaMelech tells us in Tehillim (Psalms) "Hashem is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon him sincerely." (145:18) A day without prayer is like a day without food! Good Shabbos Everyone.

Good Shabbos Everyone - Parshas Yisro 5767

Good Shabbos Everyone. Imagine a long table covered with a beautiful white tablecloth. On the table there are silver candlesticks with candles burning, and a crystal flask of deep red wine. Imagine that at the head of the table there are two braided loaves of bread. Imagine that the room is warm; it is a spiritual warmth. Imagine that the smell of chicken soup wafts in the air. Imagine that the children are smiling, the adults have a content and relaxed expression on their faces and everyone is wearing their finest. Imagine that there are no worries, no pagers, no ringing cell phones, no bosses, no blaring televisions; instead there is great food, wonderful song and inspiring words of Torah. Image peace. Imagine happiness. Imagine tranquility. Imagine a taste of paradise. Imagine Shabbos…
If you experience the beauty of Shabbos every week then you know… If you have yet to experience Shabbos, then your imagination will have to suffice. Everyone knows that reality is much better than the imagination.
Shabbos is the most important institution in the Jewish faith. The Sages go so far as to say that observing Shabbos is the solution to all the world’s problems. As the Talmud teaches us: “If all the Children of Israel would observe one Shabbos properly, then Moshiach would come immediately." (The 39 Avoth Melacha of Shabbath, Rabbi Baruch Chait, citing Talmud Yerushalmi, Taanis 1:1)
The importance of Shabbos is evidenced by the fact that Shabbos appears in the Ten Commandments, which is the seminal creed of the Jewish people. As we read in this week’s parsha Yisro in the fourth commandment: “You shall remember the Shabbos day to make it Holy. Six days you shall work and you shall do all of your labor. But the seventh day is Shabbos for Hashem your G-d, you shall not do any work...” (Shemos - Exodus 20:9) Many people are willing to accept upon themselves the Ten Commandments. However, one who does not keep Shabbos is only observing nine of the Ten Commandments.(Shabbos, Rav Aryeh Kaplan)
The Sages have told us in many places about the greatness of Shabbos. For example, “Whoever is careful with Shabbos observance will be forgiven for all of his sins, even idol worship.” (Ibid, citing Shabbos 118b) And, “Respecting Shabbos is greater than fasting 1000 days.” (Ibid., citing Tachuma, Bereishis 3) Also, “Whoever takes pleasure in the enjoyment of the Shabbos will be granted all his heart’s desires.” (Ibid., citing Shabbos 118b) And, “Observing Shabbos is equal to fulfilling all the mitzvahs of the Torah.” (Ibid., citing Pesikta) And, “Proper observance of just one Shabbos is equal to having observed every Shabbos since the time of Creation.” (Ibid., citing Mechilta, Ki-Sisa 31) The following inspirational story shows us the power of keeping Shabbos.
The distraught woman took an audible breath. "My name is Sarah Paller." And it's my brother. He's going to end up in jail! He's been arrested, and now the judge wants to make an example of him for the rest of the community." Her voice began to grow hysterical again. "He's going to put my brother in jail! For five years!"
"What's your brother's name?" Rabbi Gruskin cut in. "Joe. Joe Paller." "Joe Paller?" Rabbi Gruskin repeated. "I don't think I know him. Is he affiliated with a synagogue?"
The woman replied with the name of a local conservative synagogue. "So why are you calling me?" Rabbi Gruskin asked, puzzled.
"I've already spoken to his rabbi, along with another rabbi who knows my brother," the woman admitted. "And they've both gone to see the judge."
"And?" "The judge hasn't responded to them! He won't listen, he doesn't understand! I was hoping maybe you could do something." "But how do you expect me to make a difference? I'm a total stranger."
"Please, rabbi. Please help me." Rabbi Gruskin sighed. "All right, I'll try." "Thank you, rabbi. Thank you so much!" She gave Rabbi Gruskin the address of her brother's business and hung up. Rabbi Gruskin set out immediately.
A short while later he was speaking to the receptionist at the front desk. "I'm here to see Mr. Paller." The secretary picked up her phone and dialed an extension. "Mr. Paller? There's someone here to see you."
A few minutes later a man walked into the lobby from a back office. He looked at the secretary, who nodded toward Rabbi Gruskin. "Mr. Paller? I'm Rabbi Gruskin." "What can I do for you?" Joe Paller asked.
"Actually, I came to see if there was anything I could do for you." Joe Paller gave Rabbi Gruskin a strange look. " I'm not sure what you mean." "Your sister called me this morning and said that you were in some sort of trouble with the law. She's worried that you're about to go to jail."
Joe Paller's face darkened. His jaw clenched as he muttered something angrily under his breath. "Who does she think she is, getting mixed up in my business like that?" he burst out. "And who do you think you are?"
Rabbi Gruskin lifted his hands in a soothing gesture. "I've only come because your sister seems very concerned about you. You should feel fortunate that somebody cares enough to help you."
"My rabbi has already spoken to the judge, and nothing's changed," Joe said dismissively. "Why should you be any different? "You're probably right about that," Rabbi Gruskin admitted. "If I went by myself to see the judge, I'm sure it wouldn't accomplish anything." He paused for a moment. "But what if I had someone with me when I went to see the judge? What if I went with someone special? Maybe then I could help you."
"Someone special?" Joe said suspiciously. "You mean a lawyer?"
"That's not quite what I had in mind, Mr. Paller." Joe Paller stared blankly at Rabbi Gruskin for a moment. "So who're you talking about?"
"Shabbos," Rabbi Gruskin said emphatically. "If I went to the judge with the power of Shabbos, I know that would help. I want you to start keeping Shabbos."
"That's ridiculous," Joe snorted. "What does the Sabbath have to do with going to jail? I've got a business to run, Rabbi, and I'm not going to throw it all away just because you told me to. You're crazy, coming in here thinking you can just tell me what to do!"
"You know something, Mr. Paller?" Rabbi Gruskin said, shaking his head. "I don't really know you, but I can see that you're not a very smart man."
Before Rabbi Gruskin could get another word out, Joe Paller had practically jumped on him. "Now wait just a minute here! How do you know I'm not smart? Why did you say that?"
"Relax, Mr. Paller, and listen closely. If you get five years in prison, that would mean 365 days multiplied by 5, so it's just over 1800 days of prison time. Now, I know a bit about life in jail, because I was a chaplain at one of the federal prisons, and let me tell you—it's no picnic. You're only allowed a set amount of mail a week, visitors only at certain times on certain days, phone calls only when they choose, no liquor. You'll sit in a two-by-four cell day in and day out, and you'll only be allowed in the yard if the judge grants permission. That's plenty of time away from your business in very unpleasant surroundings.
"Now let's say your business will keep going for another thirty years or so. Shabbos comes around fifty times a year, so it's a total of 1500 Shabbos days in those years. Granted, you're restricted on Shabbos too, but it's a bit more pleasant than in prison. You're in your own, comfortable home. You can eat cholent, kugel, drink liquor, rest a little, learn a little, go out for walks, be with your family. And during the rest of the week, you can write as many letters and make as many phone calls as you wish. "So you look at the numbers and at the restrictions, Mr. Paller. And you tell me which one's a better deal. You would pick prison and no family over Shabbos and family, and you tell me that you're a smart man? I just don't see it," Rabbi Gruskin concluded.
Joe Feller was silent for a few minutes. He scratched his chin and looked up at the ceiling before finally meeting Rabbi Gruskin's gaze. "So what do you want me to do?" he asked.
"What I said before. Start observing Shabbos. Give it a try, and while you do, think about everything I just said to you. I think you'll see I'm right."
" I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. Okay, I'll do it," Joe said decisively. "Let's shake on it." He held out his hand, and Rabbi Gruskin shook it.
"Now that you've promised to keep Shabbos, I think it's time to see the judge," Rabbi Gruskin offered. Joe walked over to the secretary's desk, picked up the phone and dialed a number. Then he held the phone out to Rabbi Gruskin. "Here, you talk to him."
Rabbi Gruskin took the phone and a few minutes later was put through to the judge himself. "This is Judge Collins, how may I help you?" "Good morning, Judge Collins, this is Rabbi Gruskin."
"You're calling about the Paller case, aren't you," the judge interrupted. "I think I've heard from every rabbi in the city." "Your honor, if you've seen every rabbi, then why not get to know another one?" The judge laughed.
"I guess you're right. Why don't you come down to my office this Tuesday? Then we can talk in person." Rabbi Gruskin hung up the phone and turned to Joe Paller. "I'll meet you here on Tuesday morning. We'll be seeing the judge that afternoon."
Joe's sentencing was scheduled for Thursday, so the two were careful about keeping their appointment with the judge on Tuesday. "So, Rabbi, what is it that you want me to know? I should warn you beforehand that I am determined to make an example out of Mr. Paller," the judge said coolly. "There has to be a stop to this behavior."
Rabbi Gurskin was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. Finally, he said, "Your honor, I am reminded just now of Joseph and his brothers—from the Bible."
"In what way?" the judge asked with interest. "I'm thinking specifically of the episode where Benjamin was supposedly caught stealing the silver flask. The brothers were dumbfounded, and exclaimed, 'What can we say? This is the work of the Almighty.'" Rabbi Gruskin stopped. "To tell you the truth, your honor," he admitted, "I am at a loss as to what to say."
The judge nodded, looking thoughtful. "It's interesting that you mentioned that episode. I am a Sunday school teacher, as well as a judge, and this Sunday I'll be teaching my class this particular story. I'm interested in hearing the Jewish point of view. Tell me what the Talmudic sages have to say."
Rabbi Gruskin related the story of Joseph and his brothers to a fascinated judge and an interested Joe Paller. The discussion lasted over an hour. "Rabbi, I'm impressed," the judge said finally. "I've changed my mind. I will not sentence Mr. Paller to jail. I'll give him probation, I'll give him a hefty fine, but no jail. I promise, Rabbi." (Visions of Greatness, Volume VIII, R. Y. Weiss) Good Shabbos Everyone.

Taken from the Good Shabbos Everyone