A Rabbi’s Kindness Tested: When Compassion Met an Angry Heart

Rabbi Yeshayahu Bardaki was one of the great figures in Jerusalem nearly two hundred years ago. People from all walks of life would come to him seeking his guidance, his blessings and his wisdom. Even non-Jews held him in high regard. In fact, when the Emperor of Austria fell sick, he sent a message asking Rabbi Yeshayahu to pray for his recovery at the Western Wall.

One Friday afternoon, a poor man from the local community came to Rabbi Yeshayahu with tears in his eyes. His home was empty. He had no food for Shabbat, no candles, and no money. Rabbi Yeshayahu searched his pockets and even shook the small charity box on his desk, but there was nothing there.

His Shabbat table was already set, and on it stood two beautiful silver candlesticks. Without hesitation, Rabbi Yeshayahu picked up one of the candlesticks and handed it to the man. “Sell this,” he said, “and buy what you need to honor Shabbat.” The poor man was overjoyed. He thanked the rabbi and ran out to sell the candlestick so he could prepare for the holy day.

A few weeks later, the same man returned. Again, he told Rabbi Yeshayahu of his struggles and that he still had nothing for Shabbat. Once again, the rabbi didn’t hesitate. He gave him the second silver candlestick. The man gratefully accepted it and went off to sell it for his Shabbat needs.

But it wasn’t long before the money from that second candlestick was gone, too. Desperate and out of options, the man came back yet again to Rabbi Yeshayahu’s home. Now, the rabbi had nothing left to give. No silver. No money. No candlesticks. But he still wanted to help.

So Rabbi Yeshayahu took off his own Shabbat hat and offered it to the man to sell. It wasn’t worth much, but maybe it could buy a few small Shabbat treats. But this time, the poor man became furious. Perhaps he had grown used to receiving valuable silver, and the offer of a simple hat insulted him. In a fit of anger, he grabbed the hat and began hitting Rabbi Yeshayahu in the face with it.

And what did Rabbi Yeshayahu do? Did he push him away? Yell? Demand respect?

No. The rabbi looked at the man and thought, If he’s reacting like this, he must be in terrible pain. His suffering must be more than I can imagine. Instead of anger, Rabbi Yeshayahu reached out and gently took the man’s hand in his own.

With kindness in his voice, he said, “My dear brother, my friend let’s walk together, hand in hand, and collect money for your Shabbat needs.”