The Sar Sholom Of Belz As Construction Worker

Reb Leibush had arrived in Belz to visit with his mother and his illustrious brother, Reb Shalom, the Belzer Rebbe. His mother had baked cake in honor of her son's visit and they sat down to enjoy some tea and cake and catch up on family news . They conversed happily while in the background the air resounded with the sound of hammer blows and shouts; the town of Belz was building a new shul.

Reb Leibush soon excused himself, for his excitement could no longer be contained. He rushed to the site of the new building to check on the progress, but he was shocked to see his brother, the Rebbe, standing with a hammer in his hand, just like any other member of the construction crew.

"Shalom, what are you doing? You of all people know the portion of Talmud, which says that a leader of a Jewish community is forbidden to perform menial labor in the presence of three or more people. You are the Rebbe of Belz, why are you standing here like a common laborer?"

Reb Shalom listened and nodded his head. Only when his brother had finished speaking did he respond. "Leibush, I'm going to tell you a story which will answer your question. Many years ago I studied Torah in the town of Skohl. There I had two study partners. We had been taught that if we were to study with the utmost diligence and dedication, never sleeping for one thousand nights in a row, we would merit a revelation of the prophet Elijah. We were very excited at this prospect, and we resolved to follow this plan of study together, a thousand consecutive nights without sleep.

"We were so enthusiastic that night followed night, and we hardly noticed the dawn breaking. After a while, though, we became tired and this regime became more and more difficult. Finally, one of my partners couldn't stand the strain, and dropped out. I continued learning every night with my remaining study partner, until on the eight-hundredth night, he also gave up the quest. I continued alone, more determined then ever to succeed.

"So, night after night I sat alone by candlelight in the dark shul, fighting sleep which was my constant enemy, ever threatening to overcome my resolve. Just as I thought I would succumb to exhaustion, I somehow found the strength to continue, for my desire to see the prophet burned in my soul.

"On the thousandth night a fierce storm blew into the town. It seemed that the demons of Hell had escaped and were determined to destroy all my hard won efforts. I, who was normally unfazed by the weather, no matter how violent, was shaken by the unearthly howls and piercing bolts of lightening that flashed across the sky. Still, I sat with my open book, determined that nothing would deter me from my goal.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash of glass. The wind had blown out one of the windows of the study hall, and its breath had extinguished my candles. This was too much for me. I had sat for a thousand nights, relentlessly pursing my goal though my strength was all but exhausted, and now this. The rain and wind pelted my face through the shattered window, and my spirits plummeted to the depths. Had I not been so terrified of the raging storm I would have simply walked out of the study hall.

"But then I regained my senses. After all, wasn't this my last night, after which I could expect a visit from the prophet Elijah himself! I couldn't let a mere storm, no matter how fierce, deprive me of my reward. I felt my way to the holy ark and slid open the carved doors. Then I wept and wept, begging G-d to help me through this trial. I don't know how long I stood there weeping and praying, but when I finished pouring out my yearning and frustration to the One Above, I realized that the storm had ended.

"I turned to look out of the shattered window to see the moon peeking through the remaining clouds. Then something else caught my attention. There, in the darkness, I saw the figure of an old man slowly approaching the study hall, and I knew it was Elijah.

"We sat and studied together throughout that unforgettable night. The last part of Torah that he taught me concerned the laws of building a synagogue. This teaching is so precious to me, that if I could, I would erect the entire building single-handedly from beginning to end. Alas, this little bit is all I am able to do, but even so, it is so dear to me that my entire being is filled with indescribable joy with each brick that I place."

Reb Leibush smiled. His brother had given him quite an explanation.