The Shabbos of the Stable
On the Shabbos before his passing, Rav Shlomo sensed the coming tragedy in Ludmir and met it in prayer.
Chassidim relate that one Shabbos, the last before Rav Shlomo left this world, he stepped out just ahead of Kiddush and walked by the stable where the horses stood. When he returned and came to the table, he told those gathered that the horses had just let him know that dark tidings were on their way.
The next morning, the general in charge in Ludmir granted his soldiers two hours of license to do as they wished. They turned the town into a firing range, shooting at Jews, robbing homes and smashing what they found. Bullets whistled through the streets, horses bolted, Cossacks shouted, and frightened Jews fled for any cover they could find. Many ran straight to the beis medrash of the Karliner.
The Rebbe was deep in his davening and seemed not to notice the terror. He approached the aron kodesh, opened it, placed his head inside and went on praying, slowly and without hurry. His Rebbetzin, trembling, saw that he did not lift his head and feared he had fainted. She took his coat and pulled it gently. As he raised his head from the ark, a bullet came through the window and struck his foot.
Many say that at that very moment the wild two hours came to an end. The doctors offered to operate, and he refused to let them. All that week he lay in agony, the holy Zohar spread open in front of him, and on Thursday, 22 Tammuz, his pure soul departed.
Source: Kisvei Rav Yoshe #22 p. 289, #36 p. 294, #38 p. 295, #65 p. 303; Toldos Shema Shlomo, ch. 10, pp. 141–143 (English adaptation in the forthcoming Me'Oros Kedushas Levi)
Most of us will never face anything like Ludmir, but every day has moments when the noise rises: a hard call, a crowded house, a worry that will not quiet down. This week, choose one such moment and practice a small version of the Karliner's gesture. Close your eyes, take three slow breaths, and say one line to Hashem, even only 'Please be with me now.' Then continue with your task. You do not have to feel calm first. The turning itself is the avodah.