A poor man came to the Berdichever and petitioned him to
offer prayers for his deliverance from poverty.
The rabbi asked the man to remind him of his request the next day. “But rabbi,” protested the supplicant, “today
I have a chance for a free trip home.
“What can I do?” replied the rabbi. “At
this moment, my hear is full of another man’s troubles. When the Lord will aid him, my heart will be
free to take up yours. I can assist you
only when my heart feels your trouble as you do yourself.” -Newman, Hasidic Anthology
Only when we feel, are empathic, can we help one another emotionally and spiritually.
Only when we feel, are empathic, can we help one another emotionally and spiritually.
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