Weekly Chasidic Story # 582 (s5769-17 / 24 Tevet 5769)

Title: Dividing One's Money Into Thirds

Connection: yahrzeit date

Quote: One young man who came to study with Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Chabad faced stern opposition from his wife's family. Meddling relatives were pressuring the young wife's father to arrange a divorce for his daughter.

 

Dividing One's Money Into Thirds

 

As the teachings of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the "Alter Rebbe" of Chabad) became known, his influence grew and he attracted many followers. One young man who came to study the Rebbe's new path faced stern opposition from his wife's family. Meddling relatives were pressuring the young wife's father to arrange a divorce for his daughter.

Not wanting to end what seemed to be a good marriage, the father-in-law set off to visit the Alter Rebbe in the city of Liozna, determined to carry out his own investigation. He spent some time in the company of the Alter Rebbe and his chasidim and was very favorably impressed, becoming convinced that the new path his son-in-law had chosen was Torah-true. However, prior to his return trip home, the father-in-law approached the Alter Rebbe with a question:

"I am very impressed with your chassidim. However, the Talmud (Kiddushin 30a) teaches us to divide our Torah study into three parts; one-third for the study of Scripture, one-third for the study of Mishnah and one-third for the study of Talmud. Now it seems that the study of chassidism, with so many Scriptural references, should count as the third for Scripture. So why do I see your chassidim spending far more than a third of their time learning chassidic texts?"

The Alter Rebbe smiled briefly as he responded with a question. "How do you earn your living?"

"I own a store," answered the man.

"And how much is invested in your store?"

"Over 2,000 rubles."

"How much of that money is yours and how much is borrowed?" rejoined the Alter Rebbe.

"Only 500 rubles is mine. The rest is borrowed," said the man with a sigh.

"Well," continued the Alter Rebbe, "That seems to contradict the Talmudic dictum (Bava Metziah 42a) that instructs us to invest one-third of our money in real estate, another third in business and another third in ready cash. Not only have you divided your money improperly, you have even gone into considerable debt!"

"Ah, Rebbe," said the man, "that investment program might have been true in the times of the Talmud; however, in today's business climate one is required to take great risks, and even then success is far from assured."

"Indeed," said the Alter Rebbe, "the same is true regarding Torah study. In Talmudic times, one could follow the prescribed guidelines and all would be well. However, today things are different. Even with intense study of chassidism, proper conduct and fear of Heaven is far from assured."
~~~~~~~~~~
[Adapted from the rendition on chabad.org by Yossi Gordon]

Biographic Note:
Rabbi Shnuer Zalman [18 Elul 1745 - 24 Tevet 1812], one of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, is the founder of the Chabad-Chassidic movement. He is the author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and Tanya as well as many other major works in both Jewish law and the mystical teachings.


~~~~~~~~~~~


Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

To receive the Story by e-mail every Wednesday--sign up here!

A 48 page soft-covered booklet containing eleven of his most popular stories may be ordered on our store site.


back to Top   back to this year's Story Index   Stories home page   Stories Archives
Redesign and implementation - By WEB-ACTION