The Rav (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi) passed through Prohobisht and went to visit R. Avraham, who was the older son of R. Shalom, )known as “the second Malakh” (angel)(, and the Ruzhiner. R. Avraham was already married, while the Ruzhiner was still a child. During the visit, the Rav asked the Ruzhiner what he was learning in heder (informal elementary school). The Ruzhiner responded, “How can a person take on the yoke of Heaven with his whole soul when reciting the Sh’ma, and still have the strength to say the v’Ahavta (the first chapter of the Sh’ma)?” The Rav then shared deep ideas and lofty sayings and tried to solve the Ruzhiner’s inquiry. Later, the Rav remarked, “The older brother initially understood, but eventually grew weary and did not comprehend, while the younger brother understood everything and comprehended everything.”
Y.F.
Mekhele Shokhet
