“The ‘hidden tzaddikim’ were a group of unusually gifted and devoted Jews who, disguised as simple people, dedicated their lives to improving the plight of their Jewish brethren both spiritually and materially.” Herschel Goat
From the writings & talks of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch (on the “gift from within”)
Help – The Beatles (3:03)
Tzedakah Is All About Saving Lives (1:34)
Nishmat – an Ancient Hebrew Meditation at Sea (3:46)
How have you given freely, the gift of yourself, lately?
Herschel Goat
From the writings & talks of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch
When I was a young man of twenty, soon after being accepted as a member of the society the hidden tzaddikim, several of us came to the city of Brody. [Translator’s note: The “hidden tzaddikim” were a group of unusually gifted and devoted Jews who, disguised as simple people, dedicated their lives to improving the plight of their Jewish brethren both spiritually and materially.]
It was there in Brody that I saw the most amazing thing. I was standing in the marketplace, speaking to a large group of locals, when I noticed from the corner of my eye an older man walking in the distance, bent under the burden of a large sack he was carrying on his shoulder. His face was covered with sweat, and there was nothing unusual about him, except for the fact that over his head floated a brilliant pillar of spiritual fire!
Obviously, none of the other townspeople saw it.
A few of them even yelled jeeringly, “Keep going, Herschel Goat,” and, “Carry, Herschel, carry!” And he called back with a smile, “Thank you! G‑d bless you!”
I could not believe my eyes. I called two of the elder tzaddikim who were with me, Rabbi Yechezkel and Rabbi Ephraim. They, too, saw the pillar but also couldn’t explain it. To all appearances, this Herschel was just a simple old Jew trying to make a living. What connected him to such a great revelation?
For several days I observed him and tried to understand the reason for this holy fire, but I still had no idea. People told me that he was a widower, his wife having died some ten years ago. He earned his meek living by carrying things on his back and doing odd jobs, and as far as everyone knew, he used all his money to feed a few goats he had because he loved goat milk. That is how he earned the name “Herschel Goat.” (The story continues: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/60354/jewish/Herschel-Goat.htm)
I feel that my ability to empathize has come into play with multiple people in my life recently. I hope to broaden that capacity with every encounter.