Which Path Should a Man Choose?

It was Shabbos Bereishis in the beis medrash of Rav Yisrael Friedman of Chortkov. Among the many guests was the Rav of Sanok, Rav Meir Shapiro, later famous as the rosh yeshivah of Chachmei Lublin and the founder of the Daf Yomi program.

On Shabbos morning, after Krias HaTorah, the door of the Rebbe's private room opened and the Rebbe made an unusual appearance. Before the astounded chassidim, he honored Rav Meir Shapiro to bless the new month and to lead Mussaf. This was unusual, to say the least, but Rav Meir took the amud. His powerful, sweet voice and his niggunim awoke a strong outpouring of the soul and a holy excitement among the chassidim. Many later recounted that the holiness in the room felt like Yom Kippur.

Afterward, as the chassidim passed before the Rebbe to receive his Shabbos blessing, Rav Meir too passed before him. "I did not know that the Rav of Sanok knew so well how to lead the prayers," the Rebbe exclaimed. "I did not know this either," said Rav Meir innocently, "until the Rebbe revealed it to me."

The Rebbe invited Rav Meir to the seudah, and after the meal they secluded themselves in the Rebbe's private room for a long time. When Rav Meir came out, his face shone with an otherworldly aura.

During that conversation Rav Meir's gift for prayer came up again, and he said, "If I have such a gift, perhaps I should become a chazzan. It would be fitting, since I am a descendant of Rav Pinchas of Koritz, before whom all the gates of prayer were open." The Chortkover grew suddenly serious, and after a few moments he said, "Rav of Sanok, allow me to tell you a tale about the holy Reb Zusha of Anipoli, the brother of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk.

"Once, when Reb Zusha was wandering in self-imposed exile, he arrived in Galicia. He had heard of the legendary shiurim of Rav Yosef Yuzpa, the famous Rosh Yeshivah of Zolkava, and he traveled there. He entered the yeshivah while Rav Yosef Yuzpa was in the middle of a deep Talmudic pilpul, and his students were so absorbed in his words that no one noticed Reb Zusha. As usual, he was dressed like a vagabond, in tattered rags, with his walking stick and bundle in hand. He sat in a corner and listened without taking his eyes off Rav Yosef Yuzpa for a moment.

"When the lecture ended, Reb Zusha approached the Rosh Yeshivah and said, 'Thank you so much. You deserve a yasher koach for your shiur. I heard from afar of your great learning and your wonderful shiurim, and I decided to travel and hear them for myself. It was well worth the long and arduous journey.' Rav Yosef Yuzpa answered, 'I am glad you enjoyed the shiur, and I understand why I find favor in your eyes. But how do you find favor in mine? I do not know who you are or where you come from.' Reb Zusha replied, 'How can a vagabond like me find favor in anyone's eyes? I do not even know how to learn. I know nothing at all.'

"'Impossible,' said Rav Yosef Yuzpa. 'It cannot be that you have no wisdom or holiness. I sense that deep inside you there is some hidden treasure.' 'I only know how to pray,' said Reb Zusha. 'What Jew does not know how to pray?' Rav Yosef Yuzpa asked in wonder. 'But what is the proper way to pray before the Master of the World?' answered Reb Zusha. 'Then reveal it to me,' said Rav Yosef Yuzpa. 'Teach me the secrets of your prayer.'

"'Very well. Come, let us go somewhere private, and I will open the gates of prayer before you,' said Reb Zusha. The two entered a room and secluded themselves. Reb Zusha taught the Rosh Yeshivah the secrets of prayer, and they pierced deep into his soul. Rav Yosef Yuzpa burned with excitement and said, 'I will leave my yeshivah and follow you, as Elisha followed Eliyahu. Perhaps in that time I will learn to say at least one proper prayer in my life, to stand before the Master of the World and concentrate with true purity. Yes, I will get up right now and leave my yeshivah.'

"'No, no, Rav Yosef Yuzpa,' said Reb Zusha. 'Let me explain. There are millions of people in this world, and each has a different face. Our Sages taught that just as their features differ, so do their minds. Their inner essences, their souls and their purposes in life, differ as well, though each soul can reach its own beauty. Why did Hashem create so many people? Because each has a unique purpose. Just as there are many people, there are many goals and aspirations. Each person must fulfill his own with the tools, talents and character that Hashem gave him. This is why our Sages taught that one should always study from where his heart desires, since a man's heart aspires to the goal Hashem expects of him. You, Rav Yosef Yuzpa, have the talent and power to inspire students and teach them Torah. Heaven gave you the gift to deliver such beautiful lectures. Leave the gates of prayer for someone like me.'"

The Chortkover ended the tale and looked at Rav Meir Shapiro, who understood the meaning of the Rebbe's words. Later in life, when Rav Meir was the rosh yeshivah of Chachmei Lublin, he told those close to him about that Shabbos in Chortkov. With that story, he said, the Rebbe put him in his proper place and set him on the proper path in life, to fulfill his unique mission and purpose, to teach and spread Torah through the chinuch of the next generation of Am Yisroel.