A Soulful Journey

When Grandpa’s father was in his last illness at the hospital, Grandpa was visiting him and thought to cheer him up by asking him to tell a story of Rabbi Israel Salanter.   Israel Lipkin known as Salanter (1810-1883) was both a student of ethics and an exemplar.   He founded a moral movement based on the study of traditional and ethical literature, and when cholera swept Vilna in 1848, he worked in all the most dangerous relief activities.   When the Day of Atonement fell during the epidemic, he ordered the congregation to partake of food, and he set the example by publicly eating. Grandpa’s father told the following story: Once Rabbi Israel Salanter was in the middle of giving a talk when his favorite student, Rav Isaac walked in.   Salanter said, "Rav Iz’l you’re late,” and then continued with his talk. Shortly after, Grandpa’s father died. The following Shabbas, Grandpa was with Prof. Lieberman and Prof. Ginzberg, and, after talking to them for a while, he ...