Emunah In Tzadikim

A girl once came to Rav Usher Freind for a bracha to marry a certain boy. Rav Usher, with his supernatural powers of perception, didn't grant the requested bracha and said that he is a very difficult boy. The girl said that she just wants a bracha. Rav Usher said that it won't be easy to live with him and he won't even be willing to grant her a divorce when she wants one.

The girl became hysterical and said that she met and liked the boy and was just coming for a bracha before she marries him. Rav Usher sighed "Do whatever you want".

Soon after they married things turned sour. For FIVE YEARS he refused to give her a get and finally in the 6th year she received her get.

Moral: Listen to and believe in the tzadik. Not listening is playing with fire. That is not to say that every tzadik is right 100 percent of the time. But they should still be listened to because emunah in tzadikim is a basis of our avoda. [See Parshas Korach with many meforshim - Korach's whole battle was against tzadikim].

Another time he told someone that in order to make a tikkun they have to leave their home and go into "galus" for three years. The man was distraught and searched for a way out. He went to a famous Rebbe who at first was furious that anyone recommended such behavior but when he heard that it was R' Usher he backed down and said that he is on the level to make such a decree. The man then went to a famous posek who said that in our generation one cannot be expected to suffer by going into galus which entails eating and sleeping in random places and living like a vagrant. He paskened that the man need not leave into galus.

Some time later a terrible tragedy happened in this man's family.

R' Usher knew that a tikkun was necessary and the man failed to listen.

This reminds me of an old post about rabbeim not being items in a supermarket where you choose what is convenient and when is convenient. We are not here to make life easy but EMES-DIK. I know so many people who either don't ask shylos or ask until they get the answer they seek. I know so many people who just want to coast through life not realizing that to really grow requires hard work, sacrifice and a lot of introspection.

This is a very fragile generation. People are very sensitive and very weak. If you want to achieve greatness then you will rise above your weakness and reach for the stars. One way to grab one is to connect to someone already there. And when he tells you to do something - do it.   

לזכות ר' יצחק יונה בן חנה לבריאת איתנה!