Rebbe Jacob Yitzchak of Pshiskha, a Holy Jew, once ordered his eldest student, Rebbe Simcha Bunim, to travel to a distant village. He asked about the purpose of the trip, but the mentor remained silent.
Rebbe Simcha Bunim took several Hasidim with him. When they finally reached the destination of their journey, the sun was setting. Since there was no hotel in the town, the rabbi ordered the driver to stop near the first dwelling and then knocked on the door. The owner let the whole company into the house. When the guests asked if they would be served dinner here, he replied that he had no dairy products, only meat.
Hasidim immediately bombarded him with questions about whether the meat complied with kashrut standards (kosher laws). And who was the shochet (specialist in kosher slaughter of animals)? Were the animal's lungs immaculately clean? Was the animal's meat thoroughly salted to remove any traces of blood, as required by law? They would have questioned the owner for a long time, but then they were called out from the back of the room.
The Hasidim turned around and saw a man dressed as a tramp, sitting near the fireplace and smoking a pipe.
“Dear Hasidim,” said the tramp, “you pay such attention to what goes into your mouth, and yet you are not at all bothered by what comes out of your mouth!”
Hearing these words, Simcha Bunim understood what the purpose of their journey was. He bowed to the tramp with respect, thanked the owner for his hospitality and went to the cart, saying to his students as he went:
- Let's go back, now we can return to Przyskha.
Commentary by Rami Shapiro The Baal Shem Tov taught that every word you hear, no matter how random and meaningless it may seem, is intended specifically for your ears.
Every moment life gives you the opportunity to look within yourself and understand how you can improve your thoughts, words and deeds. Do not imagine that the world revolves around you, but remember: everything that is in the world is also in you. Let reality itself become your rebbe.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru