A Friend in Need

B"H,

In Gesture & Deed

The Hand of Comfort

And Guidance

To be alive commands and demands a commitment to action without interference from all of the meshugas (crazinesses and stupidities).  This devotion to action, to the things that MUST be done, without interference from our emotions, moods, and perceptions is possible.  If it were impossible, then the Slonimer rabbi of the late 19th century would never have suggested this advice to my zayde.  BUT, my grandfather's teacher did mention that it is not an easy pursuit.

There is this story about a woman afflicted with a ferocious and difficult disease.  The physical burden was a heavy load and the emotional burden even heavier.  Unbearable weight seemed to crush her but instead of being smashed flat she found herself tumbling into a deep, dark pit.  She was lost.  She was blinded by the supreme darkness.  Her senses were muted and could not help herself.  She began to cry, to wail, to call for help. 

A doctor heard her pleas and tossed some medicine into this pit that housed her.  Job done, he moved on. 

A clergyman heard her cries, so, he paused to make a prayer for her.  Job done, he moved on.

A friend heard her wailing but at first did not know its source.  The friend went listening, following the trail of tear-filled calls for help, found the pit, and JUMPED into that deep, dark place. 

The woman thought she felt the presence of this friend she could not see.  So, she called out, "Why did you come here?  Are you nuts?  Now, we are BOTH stuck here in this dreadful, life-draining darkness!" 

A hand reached out to touch the woman, to hold her near, to calm her fears.  "I have been here before," said the friend.  "I know the way out." 

And G-d blessed them and gave them light and saw that it was good.