BS’D
I once overheard a beautiful story about anger:
A Tzaddik once sat on a river bank surrounded by his disciples. As they looked around them, they spotted a group of family members shouting at one another. The Tzaddik turned to his students and asked, “Why do people shout at each other in anger?”
The students thought for a while. One of them answered, “Because we lose our calm.”
“But why should you shout when the other person is right next to you? You can tell him what you have to say in a soft manner” said the Tzaddik.
The students offered other answers. The Tzaddik was not satisfied. Finally, he explained, “When two people are angry at each other, their hearts are distant. To overcome that distance, they must shout to be able to hear one another. In contrast, what happens when two people are in love? They talk softly because their hearts are very close. The distance is either non-existent or small.” The Tzaddik continued, “When they love each other more, what happens? They do not even need to speak, only whisper. Finally when they grow even closer to one another they do not even need to whisper, they only need to look at each other and know what the other is saying. That is how close two people in love are.”
He looked at the students and said, “So when you argue, do not let your hearts grow apart. Do not say words that create a gap. Otherwise there may come a day when the distance is so great you will find yourself screaming to the one who is right next to you and not sense that he is near.”
Today’s daily dose of emuna is dedicated l’iluy nishmat Aharon Hakohen ben Perel. May his neshama bask in the Divine radiance among all of righteous who have departed from this world, Amen.
