צדק צדק תרדוף למען תחי’…(שופטים טז: כ)

Righteousness, righteousness, shall you pursue, so that you will live…

HaRav HaKadosh Rebbe Shimon of Yarislov zt’’l was a talmid of the Rebbe R’ Elimelech of Lizensk z’’tl.  He was known to visit many tzaddikim of his generation and bask in their presence, despite being older than them, since his Rebbe, R’ Elimelech, once told him that if he acted unassuming towards every tzaddik, then he would merit a long life. 

When Rebbe Shimon was in his nineties, he said he had already visited two hundred and fifty tzaddikim. He used to transcribe the pasuk צדק צדק תרדוף – you should run in search of seeing tzaddikim, ‘למען תחי’… so you shall merit to live a long life.

The Rebbe, Reb Shimon, once said that another reason for his longevity is that he accepted everything Hashem sent his way, with love. He never questioned Hashem’s ways.  He explained that if he questioned Hashem, he would be told to come up (to heaven) for his questions to be answered.

Maran Rebbe Aharon of Belz zt’’l, used to say: “The Rebbe R’ Shimon of Yarislov zt’’l was from the big Malachim (angels)!”

Filed under Parshas Shoftim | Reb Aharon of Belz