נדרים סה

An elderly man related the following story: “My father was a merchant and, like all businessmen, he had his ups and downs. When he was doing well, he insisted that my mother, עליה השלום, light small candles for שבת and יום טוב. When he wasn’t doing well, he insisted that she light large candles. I once pointed out to him that it should be the opposite. “No,” he said, “ואהבת לרעך כמוך. Therefore, when I’m doing well and am full of שמחה, I want the neighbors who peer through the windows and see the small candles and gloom to think that business is bad. That way they too will be שמח. And when business is bad and I feel צער, I want them to look through the window and see the tall candles burning bright and think that my business is doing great. That way they too will feel צער.”

06/10/2021