Too Good for G-d?

It happened once on Shabbos that in the midst of prayer, the Alter Rebbe removed his Tallis and went to the edge of the town. There, he found a woman who had just given birth. The Alter Rebbe had sensed that she needed help... More

It happened once on Shabbos – or, according to another version, on Yom Kippur – that in the midst of prayer, the Alter Rebbe removed his Talis and went to the edge of the town. There, he found a woman who had just given birth. Her entire household had gone to the synagogue, so she was left alone. The Alter Rebbe had sensed that she needed help, so he removed his Talis, walked to her home, and broke the usual laws of the holy day in order to help her.

This story instructs the Jew: Listen here! You may be an illustrious Torah scholar, you may be an accomplished leader... All the Supernal Realms may be hanging on your Divine service… But still you must sacrifice your own spiritual pursuits for the sake of your fellow man. There are non-Jews in this world who do not yet know how important it is to keep the Seven Noahide Laws, and you must do your part to teach them.

If you have a non-Jewish neighbor, find some time to speak with him – even if it means finding a translator. Explain to him that he is a human being, he is created in G-d’s image, and G-d gave him seven commandments to live by. Yes, you have other holy obligations, but you’re the only one who can do this because your neighbor will accept it most from you.

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