L'Chaim, Hashem, Good Night

Once Rav Yosef of Neustadt came to visit the Tiferes Shlomo in Radomsk. As the two tzaddikim sat side by side enjoying each other's company, Rav Yosef asked the Tiferes Shlomo, who had been a talmid of Rav Fishel of Strikov, to share an anecdote about his rebbe. The Tiferes Shlomo told of Rav Fishel's emunah (faith) in hashgachah pratis (Divine Providence). "He always believed that anything and everything that happened was directly related to him and happened specifically for his sake.

"For example, when the weather turned cold, the frost made immersion in the mikvah a formidable ordeal. He would say, 'I believe with full faith, b'emunah sheleimah, that this is a test from Hashem whether I will immerse despite the cold and discomfort. But know, you evil one, yetzer hara, that you will not dissuade me or block me from serving Hashem.'"

The Tiferes Shlomo shared another story. Before retiring to bed each night, Rav Fishel would take a glezzeleh bronfen (a glass of brandy or liquor) in hand and wish Hashem, "L'Chaim, L'Chaim, Ribono Shel Olam, sheAta Mekor HaChaim v'Chai HaChaim, a gitte nacht. L'Chaim, L'Chaim, Master of the World. You are the source of all life, and I wish You a good night." He wished Hashem l'chaim and a good night in Yiddish.

Rav Fishel once explained the reason for this unusual minhag (custom). "You must know that there are sick Jews everywhere in the world, and often it is at night that suffering intensifies. I try to bring them some relief with my l'chaim to Hashem, based on the principle that He suffers in our suffering. I wish Hashem a good night, but if He wants a peaceful night free of pain and distress, He must first heal all the suffering of the Jews. And so I drink to Hashem and wish Him a good night, a gitte nacht."