R. Shalom Prohobishter was sitting at the Seder on the first day of Passover – he said to the gathered – “See, see everyone how over a small matter decreed by the sages one may earn the world to come.”
And he related the following story: There was a Jew who was an absolute gentile (goy gomur) –but he never broke the commandment regarding washing one’s hand for bread.
He was once traveling to the fair – and was overcome [with hunger] with only a piece of bread to eat – but he was in the middle of a forest and did not have a place to wash.
He recalled that a little further there was a river but the area was full of thieves and there was therefore a great risk of being killed.
He debated with himself over this for at the same time the evil inclination provoked him: “You idiot! You anyhow commit every sin mentioned in the Torah – so for such a small sin you would risk your life!”
But he overcame the evil inclination and indeed he went into the forest to wash himself for the blessing over bread. It was a real case of allowing oneself to be killed rather than commit a sin so a heavenly voice declared that this Jew merited the world to come.
R. Shalom concluded – “See, Jews, how a Jew can, with a small matter decreed by the sages, merit the world to come.”
I.F.
Yirmiyahu Katz
Boyaner hasid