תמים תהיה עם ה’ אלוקיך (שופטים יח:יג)

You shall be wholehearted with Hashem, your G-d.

Rashi explains: Follow Hashem fully. Just hope to Him and don’t doubt your future; fully accept what happens to you, then you will be with Him and in His following.

A non-religious young boy, a war survivor, once approached Reb Yisroel Meirowitz z’’l, a meshamesh of Maran, Rebbe Aharon of Belz zt’’l.  The boy shared with him that since he suffered greatly during the war, he had terrible anxiety, which didn’t give him peace, and he wished to rid himself of his trauma and anxiety.

He told Reb Yisroel that he would love to share his angst with Maran Rebbe Aharon of Belz, yet since he’s not religious and doesn’t know how to approach a rebbe, Reb Yisroel should accompany him.  Reb Yisroel agreed.

With a broken heart, the boy shared his problems and all that pains him with Maran Rebbe Aharon.  Rebbe Aharon answered him, תמים תהיה עם ה’ אלוקיך with Rashi’s explanation to follow Hashem, and then Hashem will be with you, and wished him well.

The boy thanked Reb Yisroel and said that since that visit, he was a “ברי’ חדשה” – a new person! All his anxious thoughts vanished like it says – “לב טהור ברא לי אלקים ורוח נכון חדש בקרבי” (תהילים נא: יב) – a pure heart Hashem gave me and a new true spirit in me.”

Filed under Parshas Shoftim | Reb Aharon of Belz