Heartfelt Moment Goes Viral: Why Did the Hasidic Composer Break Down in Tears During the Performance?

As part of preparations for Shavuot, the Hasidic composer Rabbi Hillel Paley took part in a joint study program called 'Kula Sheli' at the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem. In the middle of the performance, he suddenly broke down in tears, recalling his daughter-in-law injured in a bus accident and still hospitalized in the USA.

The person leading the project was none other than his former student, Noach Tonik, who Rabbi Paley had supervised in yeshiva. Rabbi Paley shared his recollections of a young student in a small yeshiva 15 years ago. "He was young and challenging—a mischievous student, a troublemaker. Teaching him was one of the hardest tasks, and the teacher was none other than me, at the beginning of my career. It was not easy at all.

Years passed, yet Noach remained unchanged, still mischievous, still taking risks, but he channeled those traits into the most sublime, special ventures—because only such talents can create such lofty projects. Even if the yeshiva deemed him unsuccessful or out of place, and even if he couldn't sustain the yeshiva framework since his tools didn't match the requirements, every person with their strengths and abilities can accomplish so much, benefiting many with Torah and good deeds.

How does his injured daughter-in-law relate to this former student? According to Rabbi Paley, it is Noach Tonik, among hundreds of students he guided, who helped them immensely. "Out of all the numerous students, this special student, with his unique traits, taught us that to achieve good things, Torah, and good deeds, one doesn't need to change themselves; they just need to use the gifts and tools given to them.

Hashem did not give the Torah to those who cannot learn it; everyone according to their part and strength. This special occasion aims to highlight that point—no Jew is exempt from Torah study, and every Jew can learn Torah, each according to their strength and portion. May we all merit on this festival of receiving the Torah to receive anew the Torah, the tools, and the strengths to continue and expand the Torah, receiving much divine assistance, success in studies, and joy from our children—in Torah and everything else," he concluded.