Blending This World and the Next

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Weinberg of Slonim (“Yesod HaAvodah”) zl (1804-1883) is commemorated on the 11th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

In Blending His Day

For the entire year, he was alluding to his death.

On the first night of Pesach of the final year of his life, at the time when he was sitting at the table of purity, presiding over the Seder before God, he opened his remarks and said some Torah innovations as was his particular way in holiness and, amidst his words, he said:

“‘השתא’ / ‘Hashata’ / ‘Now’

“Here in this very world, the neshama is in the body and there is an inclination for evil.

“‘עבדי’ / ‘avdei’ / ‘we are slaves’

“It’s necessary to toil in servitude [against the evil inclination].

“‘לשנה הבאה’ / ‘L-shanah Ha-baah’ / ‘next year’,

“There will be a neshama without a body.

“‘בני חורין’/ ‘b’nei chorin’ / ‘free people’,

“We will be free from the inclination for evil.”

(Light of the Upright Eishel Avraham)

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