Ani Maamin on the Train

It is told that orders came from above that the Galanta Rav and his family were to be spared, while all the Jews of Galanta were to be sent to Auschwitz. The authorities gave the Rav one last chance to say farewell to his talmidim and congregants. He stood and delivered a derashah on mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice). One who was there and later escaped miraculously said that the very air was filled with holiness, and that as the Rav spoke he saw the figure of a Malach Hashem Tzevakos.

The Nazis allowed the Rav and his family to leave, but he would not abandon his beloved talmidim and followers. He boarded the train with them. As it moved on, he began to sing "Ani Maamin beEmunah Sheleimah," and the talmidim sang with him. Soon the whole train was singing, and he urged them on, his face shining with an otherworldly light and serenity.

He burst into cries of ecstasy. "We are on a journey to Gan Eden. Do you hear? We are traveling to Gan Eden, so sing higher, with more joy and more simchah. We must say Hallel that we are worthy of this, that we merit Kiddush Hashem, to sanctify Hashem's Name." The train rumbled on to the sound of Ani Maamin, the Ani Maamin of the Galanta Rav and his talmidim.