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Around the year 5713 (1953), Rabbi Avraham Shlomo Brom 1], of blessed memory, parted from his family in the United States and immigrated to Israel with the intention of settling there. However, upon his arrival, he struggled to acclimatize to Jerusalem; he found it difficult to adjust to the external conditions and the living circumstances that characterized life in the Land at that time.
In his distress, Rabbi Avraham entered the inner sanctum of the Beis Yisrael (the Gerrer Rebbe). Although the Rebbe was many years younger than him, Rabbi Avraham stood before him like a servant before his master and requested his blessing to return to the United States.
When Rabbi Avraham asked to leave, the Rebbe told him:
"Don't travel back, Avromele. We will live here together."
Indeed, for the next quarter-century, he remained in the shadow of the Beis Yisrael. He passed away on the 17th of Shevat, 5737 (1977), just two weeks before the Beis Yisrael himself ascended to the Heavens on the 2nd of Sivan.
The Strict Observance
During his first few Shabosim in Israel, Rabbi Avraham ate at the Rebbe’s holy table. On the first Shabbos, when the soup was served, Rabbi Avraham refrained from touching the steaming plate.
"Is it not kosher enough for me, Avromele?" the Rebbe asked him affectionately.
Rabbi Avraham remained silent. When asked a second time, he replied with humility that many years prior, he had taken it upon himself not to taste meat. Immediately, the attendant was instructed to serve parve (non-meat/dairy) dishes. From then on, every Sabbath in the Rebbe’s house, parve soup and cholent were specially prepared for Rabbi Avraham alongside the regular dishes.
A Planting of Joy
One Purim, before the communal meal (Tish), the Beis Yisrael walked to and fro in the Sfas Emes Yeshiva study hall, looking for those who were designated to sit at the holy table. Rabbi Avraham stood as usual among the crowd. The Rebbe saw him and stopped.
"Avrohom, it is Purim today! One must be in a state of joy," the Rebbe said.
Rabbi Avraham whispered humbly: "In the Gemara it is written that 'Rebbi [Yehuda HaNasi] planted a planting of joy on Purim.' I am waiting for the Rebbe to plant joy within me."
"You are right," the Rebbe replied, and instructed him to enter and take a seat at the table.
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1] Rabbi Avraham Shlomo Brom was the elderly Chassid known by the moniker "Rebbe Avrom Ostrolenker," after his home city. He had the merit of seeking shade under the Sfas Emes and later the Imrei Emes. He was raised and educated by the famous Chassid and tzaddik, Rabbi Ben Zion Ostrover.
The Beis Yisrael cherished him deeply and would visit him regularly.
