Rav Avrohom Weinberg zt"l
הרב אברהם בן יצחק מתתיהו ווינברג זצ"ל
Cheshvan 11 , 5644
Rav Avrohom Weinberg zt"l
Rav Avrohom Elimelech Weinberg was the founder of Slonimer Chassidus (1804-1883), a disciple of Rav Noach of Lechovitz, and author of Be'er Avrohom on Mechilta, Yesod Ha'avodah, and Chessed L’Avraham.
When the Yesod HaAvoda, the first Slonimer Rebbe, was the Rosh Yeshiva in Slonim, his talmidim related that when he said shiur on the gemara, he used to pause mid-lecture and peer into a small volume until tears would leak out of his eyes; he would then continue. Years later they discovered that the small sefer was the Chovos Halevavos. (Toras Avos 146)
He used to say that “whoever belongs to us, or has a connection with us, we uplift them; whoever doesn’t allow himself to be uplifted, because he is as heavy as stone, at least we make sure that he doesn’t fall!” (Toras Avos 152)
Stories of Rav Avrohom Weinberg zt"l
It was a cold first day of Sukkos and the first Slonimer Rebbe, the Yesod haAvoda, was on his way to shul. He passed a Jewish soldier and saw an amazing other-wordly light coming from him. The Rebbe asked him, “I see a great light emanating from you – please tell me what great deed you have done.”
At first the soldier denied it, but after pushing and prodding he relented and told his tale:
“Yesterday was the first night of Sukkos and I know the importance of eating at least a kezayis (an olive-sized portion) of bread in the sukka. But I am a conscripted soldier stationed on duty – what was I to do?
“There was a high fence surrounding my position where I stood guard, forbidden from deserting my post, and I noticed that over the fence was a Jewish home and there, in the backyard, stood a small sukka! I decided that when all the guards left, I would have my chance. I hid a small piece of bread in my pocket and waited and waited all night. I knew I had to get in before chatzos (midnight) because the mitzva is to eat a kezayis in the sukkah before chatzos!
“Finally, about a quarter of an hour before midnight, my opportunity arrived. I saw all the guards leave; I leaped over the fence, dashed into the sukka, made a beracha and ate my bread in the sukka. Then I made a mad dash back over the fence and once more took up my position as guard. I had risked my life but it was worth it! I was so happy!”
“Hmm,” said the Rebbe skeptically. “For this alone I cannot imagine you would shine so. What else did you do that night?”
“Nothing else . . .well, I was so happy I had done the mitzva of sukka limehadrin that I danced all night long!”
“Aha!” pronounced the Rebbe. “Now I see why you shine with such a light!” (Yehi Ohr 614)
Rav Biderman related the following story about one of the Slonimer Chassidim of the Rebbe the Yesod Ha’Avoda:
This Chassid traveled a far distance to be with the Rebbe for Shabbos. At the Friday night tisch the Rebbe asked him how he had traveled from his home and how his journey was. The Chassid answered that he had come riding on his donkey. The Rebbe was not satisfied and pressed his Chassid for further details, asking, “What would happen if you fell off your donkey while on the way?”
“I would get up, climb back on the donkey’s back and and continue on my journey,” replied the Chassid.
The Rebbe pressed him further, asking what would happen if he fell a second time. The Chassid answered, “I would pick myself up, climb back into the saddle and go on.”
This scenario repeated itself a few times, where the Rebbe challenged the Chassid to explain what he would do if he fell again, and the Chassid answering that he would get up and continue his journey, until the Chassid burst out in frustration, “Well, what should I do if not get up and go on? Should I just lie down on the floor and cry?”
This is what the Yesod Ha’Avoda had been waiting for. He turned to the Chassidim and said, “Do you hear what he is saying? What purpose does it serve to lie down defeated if we have fallen? Does it make sense to lie on the floor and weep? Rather, whenever we fall we must get ourselves up and keep going! Never give up – and keep fighting!”