A Bid for Connection

A hassidic rebbe understands a poor man's pure desire for connection.


A holy hassidic rebbe was conducting his Tisch. Hundreds of hassidim flocked to his table to listen to the words of Torah, to sing the special niggunim from their hassidut and to share in the delicious fruits that were distributed. In the middle of the tisch, a poor man made his way to the top of the table where the Rebbe sat. The hassidim eyed his tattered clothing with interest. The poor man tapped the Rebbe on the shoulder and asked him “My horse will no longer walk, what should I do?” The Rebbe looked thoughtful and answered the man, “Let him rest, I am sure he will recover.” The singing recommenced until the poor man tapped the Rebbe again, “I already rested him” he said. The hassidim, somewhat impatient and frustrated with the man, tried to hush him. The Rebbe shook his head and smiled at the poor man, “Perhaps, take him to have his shoe changed.”

The poor man smiled a wide and appreciated smile, thanked the Rebbe profusely and shuffled out of the room.

Without waiting for the inevitable questions from his hassidim, the rebbe explained: “Questions are an attempt at a connection. This man wanted to connect with our hassidut and this tisch. Asking questions about his horse was the only way he knew how to approach us. Who am I to turn away anyone seeking to connect?”

Submitted by Debbie Stone