Rav Yisroel Salanter's Thoughts As Death Loomed Near
Even in his last moments on earth, Rav Yisroel Salanter spent his time thinking about the feelings of others. In his final illness as he lie in bed in Koenigsberg, he had a man attending his needs. On the last day of his life Rav Yisroel turned to this simple man and started talking to him about the fear people have to be alone with a dead body. Rav Yisroel told him that it is a really foolish fear since a dead person cannot do anything.
A few hours later Rav Yisroel was niftar and lo and behold there wasn't anyone else around at the time, and the attendant was alone. It became clear to the attendant that the strange conversation he had had with the Tzaddik a few hours ago was meant to dispel his fears that would engulf him later that day.
Surely Rav Yisroel who knew his time was near was deep in thought about life and death, tshuvah and torah. Yet he had the presence of mind in his weakened condition to concern himself with the possible fear of another person. (HaMi'oros HaGedolim)
MB, Passaic, NJ, 2010-12-22 03:03:19 I think the closing paragraph fails to reflect the message of the story. I would have changed one word, and therefore its entire tone. "Surely Rav Yisroel who knew his time was near was deep in thought about life and death, tshuvah and torah. THEREFORE he had the presence of mind in his weakened condition concern himself with the possible fear of another person."
Isn't the fact that thoughts of teshuvah and Torah start with our concern for others the primary lesson Rav Yisrael left us?
-michaAnonymous, 2010-12-23 03:55:40 very well said Reb Micha
printable version
