A group of Chasidim approached their rebbe the Magid Dov Ber of Mezritch. They could not understand a passage in the Talmud, which teaches us to thank God for our bad days with the same fervor we use to thank Him for his goodness! How can we be honestly be grateful for bad things?!
Their rebbe directed them to go to Hanipol and find Reb Zusya. He would explain it all.Hanipol was a great distance for the Hasidim, but they obeyed their rebbe and traveled there. They finally arrived and asked where to find the great Reb Zusya. Imagine their surprise when they came to a tiny, ramshackle house that looked as if a gust of wind would tear it apart!
They entered, and round Reb Zusya sitting at a rickety table and trying to read by the light of a tiny window. He welcomed his visitors, but apologized for not getting up – but his leg hurt. He had some bread, so he offered them food. He had water, so he offered them drink.
The hasidim, disturbed at Reb Zusya’s poverty, declined his offer. They only had a question. One question. Their rebbe had sent them to Reb Zusya for the answer: why should we thank God for bad things the way we thank Him for His goodness?
Reb Zusya laughed and exclaimed: “I don’t know why your rebbe sent you all the way here! I’ve never had a bad day! God has only given me days filled with miracles!”
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