A mitzvah gives life

A Chanukah selection from the book “Time for My Soul” from the story collection of Rabbi Eugene Labovitz, z”l, and Dr. Annette Labovitz

Rebbe Areleh Roth was the son of a poor tailor who grew up in chasidic circles, in Satmar, Hungary, around the turn of the last century. He realized that the chasidtm with whom he studied and prayed were not the kinds of chasidim whom the Baal Shem Tov envisioned when he founded the chasidic movement. The Baal Shem Tov taught, “When joy reigns within the body of an individual, it also brings joy to the soul, for sadness is the greatest impediment to one’s service of His Creator.” (Moray Hadoros. Last Testament of the Besht) In the shtibels (small, simple small town synagogues) where Areleh prayed, the service was decorous, but it did not fulfill his dreams or the visions of the Baal Shem Tov, so he decided to form his own shtibel, his own minyan (group of ten men praying together). The service was prayed intently, with complete attention to the nuances of every word, and with joy. Sometimes, the Shabbos morning service lasted until four o’clock in the afternoon. It was an “experience” to pray with Rebbe Areleh Roth and his chasidim.

He made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 1939 and settled in the Meah She’arim section of Jerusalem. There he taught his philosophy of Judaism, “Blessed be He and Praised be He for crowning the Jewish people with mitzvos,” for twenty years, until he was seventy-five years old.

As he aged, his strength ebbed. He grew weaker and weaker until finally he was confined to his bed. His family and disciples thought he was dying, so they gathered at his bedside and remained with him continuously.

It was the first night of Chanukah. Rebbe Areleh Roth’s family and disciples were concerned about him. One disciple asked, “Rebbe, could I possibly do anything to make you more comfortable?”

Rebbe Areleh answered, “Please, just lift my head a little from this pillow.” It seemed that Rebbe Areleh became a bit stronger after his disciple had fulfilled his request, so another disciple was encouraged to ask, “What more can I do for you, Rebbe?”