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1 Kislev 5763 - November 6, 2002 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Home and Family


The Phone Call
by LMW

11:30 p.m. The end of a busy day. Mrs. I. is on the line. "Would you be able to give a short, 15 to 20 minute shiur on Shemiras Haloshon following a Tehillim group in my home tomorrow night? Sorry I am calling so late, but you were the last name on the list. No one else can give the shiur. It's getting hard to find a speaker every week."

The phone connection was not too good and I missed a few points. I debated her offer. In the morning I planned to be at an out-of-town bris, followed by a long day of work. Come home. Take a bite. Nap? and walk over to the other end of Bnei Brak to give a shiur.

There was something very compelling about this lady. I told her that the upcoming simcha would hopefully give me some inspiration as to my exact topic. I felt comfortable speaking to her and admitted that I felt I couldn't refuse her. Recently, I had given occasional shiurim, a few classes here and there. I had given a `no' to a lady down the block and around the corner. Yet, somehow, I found myself committed to her, not only for one evening but I even promised bli neder to try to come every week. I actually couldn't believe it myself.

The next day flew by. Betwixt and between, I decided on a topic close to my heart. Simcha. Happiness. Serving Hashem with joy and with a wholesome heart.

Ture, it was officially a shemiras haloshon shiur but they were flexible. True, it was Asseres Yemei Tshuva and the audience was probably expecting a more intense and serius topic. But I felt that simcha it would be.

A brisk twenty-minute walk warmed me up and brought me to the front door of a small, spotless apartment. Sparsely furnished, the Divided Tehillim booklets on the table. A candle in the corner. I joined the Tehillim `joggers' and had a moment's respite.

Launching into one of my favorite topics, I covered a few of my stories about great personalities who emitted great joy at all times and situations, noting that simcha energizes us, gives us the strength to persevere. The audience was with me, jokes and all.

As I drew my comments to a close, the hostess asked for permission to add a few words of her own. My pleasure.

She nodded at the woman sitting next to her to confirm the veracity of the story she was about to tell.

"I had mentioned to you on the phone that I was recently widowed," she started.

Oh, no! This was EXACTLY the part of the conversation that had not been audible. Had it been, I might have given a different shiur or, at least, modified my remarks. I had made quite a few remarks relating to marriage, to creating a happy home atmosphere and a joyful marriage.

She pointed to the large candle burning in the corner, a ner neshoma for her late husband. This weekly evening had been organized in his memory.

"I miss my husband and was yearning to speak to him. Last night he appeared to me in a dream," she said. "It seemed as if we were speaking on the telephone. I was very happy to be able to speak to him. I asked him how everything was going for him. He assured me that everything was going well. `There is only one thing that I ask of you. Try to work on the midda of simcha'."

There was a long pause. "Thank you for bringing us a shiur on simcha."

I was stunned. The room was totally silent. I thanked her and walked out of the door on shaky feet. She accompanied me and asked me to please return.

It wasn't me. "Rabbos machashovos... Many are the thoughts in the heart of man."

 

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