The Importance of Encouragement

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was once a very wealthy man who decided to proclaim that anyone who needed money could come to him for a loan.

 

Naturally, there were many who rushed to his door to take advantage of his offer and to borrow money.

 

One day, on consulting his notebook, the rich man realized that he had overextended himself on these loans, and that, to his sorrow, no one had bothered to repay him.

 

Among the borrowers was a man who had invested in an unfortunate transaction and had lost the money that he had borrowed.  This man was very concerned and ashamed that he could not repay his debt.  He decided that he should at least visit his creditor and confess to him how unintentionally he had lost all the money.  He arrived at the rich man’s house and began to confide in him regarding his distress:  it was now time to repay the debt and he was a loss. 

 

The rich man replied: ‘What does your debt matter to me?  For me, this is an inconsequential amount.  What does this paltry sum represent in relation to the fortune owed to me?  Here is what I want you to do: go to all of my debtors and remind them that they owe me money.  If each reimburses even a small amount, it will add up to millions of times your debt!”

 

It is just as important to encourage others as to encourage ourselves.  Often, it is simpler to help others than to solve our own problems.

 

Some people think, “Who am I that I think I can help others?”  The parable recounted above shows just how mistaken this attitude is.  Helping someone by encouraging him is one of the best ways to help yourself, like the man in the story who had no way of repaying his debt.  What did the rich man ask of him?  Not to collect any funds but rather to remind the debtors that they had a duty…

 

Due to the tremendous value of rescuing lost souls, many obstacles might be incurred on the way, such as antagonism, negative influences, ungratefulness, and so on.  Paradoxically, the discerning man will see in these impediments great encouragement:  aren’t they a sign of all great accomplishments?

 

Due to the merit of his perseverance the concerned man has overcome all kinds of barriers and strengthened himself to the greatest extent.  He could apply to himself the famous saying that our beloved master Rabbi Israel wrote to a student, “The Holy One Blessed be He, is my witness that I am ready and willing to sacrifice my life, my money and all that I possess to bring a Jewish soul close to God.  Or at least to inspire in him a feeling of remorse, even for a single second!” (Ibey Hanachal, Letters).

 

On the other hand, we should obviously not place ourselves in danger in order to save someone else, for that would be absurd. Nor should we take on responsibilities that are beyond our capacity.

 

To avoid dangers and know our true responsibilities to others, we must endlessly practice introspection and self-analysis.  We must take care that the wrong influence of the people we wish to help does not affect us.  For this, we must engage in a dialogue with our Creator on a steady basis.

 

However, we really think about it, we will realize that there are many people with whom we come into contact who are only waiting for a word of encouragement from us.  Just like us, they so often need a friend to pat them on the shoulder and tell them, “Keep going, you are on the right track!”

 

If we ourselves have felt this need and endeavor to offer to those around us the comfort and warmth necessary for any progress, then we will accomplish the greatest commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

To propagate spiritual enlightenment through books, pamphlets, cassettes, classes, discussions and broadcasts is an absolute priority in our day and age.  For this we only need to develop our sense of solidarity.  We are simply messengers, instruments in the Hands of Divine Providence; if we fear that we do not know what to say or do, we must let ourselves be guided.  The proper words will doubtlessly be put in our mouth.  In this way we will witness true miracles.

 

One day when I was visiting Paris, I entered a bakery.  A man of fifty or so came up to me, and we entered into a conversation.  Gradually, we came round to the subject of propagating Torah by all the different methods: books, classes, broadcasts, etc.  Suddenly this stranger asked me, “Would you like me to tell you what brought me back to Judaism thirty years ago?”

 

Highly interested, I asked him to tell me his story:  “Very simply, at the time when Paris was a desert as regards Torah learning, I was a student, and totally secular, I had absolutely no connection.  One day friends who felt themselves more involved that I did, suggested that I come with them to a conference on Kosher food, to be given by an elderly lady called Regine Lehman.  Not very convinced, I joined them at this meeting.  By the end of the lesson, I felt myself infused with a powerful desire to draw closer to Judaism.  More intrigued by this reaction than by the actual lesson, I had the audacity to go up to this lady and ask her, “What did you to transmit to me such great enthusiasm?” 

 

“I’ll tell you,” the lecturer replied peaceably.  “This morning, when I got up, my feet hurt dreadfully.  I could not even stand and went to lie down again; I thought seriously about canceling the lesson for this evening.  At the end of the day, in inner voice whispered to me, if you give your lesson all the same, perhaps a student will draw close to God thanks to that!  This thought gave me the courage to come and now you understand why…”   

 

 

(Used with permission from COURAGE by Israel Isaac Besancon. Published by Shir Chadash Publishers).