"Why Are There Knocks from Above? Is Everything Alright?", Asked Rabbi Aryeh Finkel zt"l

The nephew of Rabbi Aryeh Finkel zt"l recounts a remarkable story about his great uncle and his noble qualities. It was during the years when the family lived on Malachi Street in Jerusalem, Rabbi Aryeh sat one day immersed in his studies at the living room table with great diligence. Suddenly, loud sounds of drilling and knocking began from the floor above. In the first few minutes, Rabbi Aryeh wondered about the cause of the noises, but minutes later, the peeling plaster and falling dust from the ceiling made the happenings above clear.

"What is it?", Rabbi Aryeh asked the rebbetzin, "Why are there knocks from above? Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine," replied the rebbetzin. "It's just the upstairs neighbor renovating and expanding his apartment with additional rooms."

A slight smile appeared on the kind face of Rabbi Aryeh. He got up, closed the Gemara he was studying, put on his jacket, donned his hat, and went upstairs.

The knocks on the door were barely heard amid the construction noise. Only after a long while did one of the children notice and went to open the door.

"Is your dad home?", Rabbi Aryeh asked.

"Dad! Dad!", the child called into the house, "Neighbor Finkel is at the door."

A slight blush appeared on the neighbor's face. 'Rabbi Finkel?! Oh! I didn’t even tell him about the planned construction… Who knows what he will say to me now…', he pondered.

But when he approached the door, he was surprised, discovering a completely different scene: "Shalom Aleichem", Rabbi Aryeh greeted him warmly, shaking his hand warmly. "I'd be happy to come in and talk with you about something," he said gently. "I was so happy to hear you started building! I have long wondered to myself how you manage in such a small apartment"...

"Look," Rabbi Aryeh continued, "I imagine the construction and renovation cost you a significant amount, but I can't help you with money. I don’t have any myself. But if you need me to sign guarantees for loans, I'm more than willing, and happily so!"…

Another kind word, another handshake, and Rabbi Aryeh was already back in his home, returning to his studies.

And the neighbor? He was still standing at the entrance of the house, looking in wonder as his neighbor descended the stairs, deeply immersed in thoughts: 'And Rabbi Aryeh Finkel and his family? How do they manage in such a small and crowded home? And the bigger question, how does one acquire such a good eye? To see only the good of others?…'.

When one of the household expressed some frustration over the construction, Rabbi Aryeh replied in wonder: "And if the neighbor building was our son, would we object as well?"

The period of construction is a golden opportunity sent from above - for all the neighbors in the building - to improve their character traits and natural qualities. Despite the expectation that neighbors will have a good eye, patience, and endurance, this does not lessen the obligation of those renovating and expanding their apartments: to strictly observe the laws of damages, take great care of the shared property of all tenants and each individual, not to make noise during rest times, and to ensure the public area is free from dangerous waste and even dust, which is very harmful to adults and children alike.