The Human Side of the Story

For the week ending 10 November 2007 / 29 Heshvan 5768

"I Also Have a Succah Decoration"

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
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The story in last week's Ohrnet moved one reader to call attention to a somewhat similar story that appears in "Aleinu Leshabeiach" by Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, the rav of the Ramat Elchanan community in Bnei Brak.

When his children were busy decorating the family succah with the traditional items, the head of the family surprised them with the declaration "I also have a Succah decoration". As he pulled out a batch of "pink slips" he explained their significance.

This Jew was one of the brave souls who refused to work on Shabbat although, in those depressed times, this meant that he would not be able to hold a steady job and support his immigrant family. Every Friday it was the same story. He would inform his boss that he was not coming to work the next day and was told that he was fired. He bravely accepted his dismissal and only asked that his erstwhile employer put his firing into writing. The employers generally went along with this strange request but his family couldn't understand the purpose of the written dismissals. He assured them that the time would soon come when all would be clear.

Came Succot and the "pink slips" testifying to heroic loyalty to Shabbat occupied a central place in the succah.

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