A רב visiting a town was giving דברי תורה on the difference between לכתחילה and בדיעבד when he was interrupted by his wagon driver, who insisted that it was time to go. The רב ignored him, but the driver was persistent. Losing his control, the רב, who had had a few drinks, slapped the driver. After finishing to speak, the רב apologized to the driver and offered him a drink. He then said: “If you let me slap you again, I’ll give you another drink.” The driver responded: “I wouldn’t agree even if you offered me a thousand drinks.” The רב turned to the קהילה and said: “You see, that is the difference between לכתחילה and בדיעבד. The driver won’t agree לכתחילה for even a thousand drinks. But בדיעבד he’s assuaged with even one.”
05/07/2020