The Rav Who Wanted a Higher Post

A certain Rav in Eretz Yisroel sought a higher position and came to the Baba Sali for his blessing. He explained that he did not seek more honor or glory. He thought, mistakenly, that a higher post would give him greater respect and authority among the secular authorities, leaders, politicians and members of the Knesset, and that they would listen more readily to his ideas, so that he might influence them toward greater observance of mitzvos and learning of Torah.

Although his aspirations were pure and his motives good, the Baba Sali tried to dissuade him from this mistaken path. He explained that in Morocco the rabbonim had real power. They had the police behind them, and they could fine, jail and punish offenders, and even whip criminals and rebels who ignored their rulings. "But here in Eretz Yisroel, no one will listen to you," said the tzaddik. "Even a child can disregard any psak you issue." It was to no avail.

"Admor, my mind is made up," said the Rav. "I did not come to ask whether I should do this, only for your blessing." The Baba Sali sadly murmured a blessing for success, and the Rav was overjoyed.

Later, the Baba Sali turned to his son and explained, "Tonight is the third of Cheshvan, the yahrzeit of the holy Rizhiner, whose line goes back to the royal house of Dovid. Because of this, the workings of power and authority are revealed to me. I see that this Rav will indeed achieve his heart's desire and be elected to the higher post. But not only will his rulings be ignored, the chief justice of the Supreme Court will overturn his psak. He will be ridiculed, he will suffer embarrassment and pain, and in the end he will be disgraced. Now, let us hold the hilula seudah for the tzaddik with joy."

And so it was. The Rav achieved his dream, and within a few short months it turned into a nightmare. The chief justice of the Supreme Court overturned his psak, the newspapers and radio publicized his disgrace, and he suffered shame, pain and humiliation. As the Baba Sali had warned, the post of the Rabbanut in Eretz Yisroel was not to be sought after, for it would not give him the authority he imagined.