Currently, there is a plague going around the world which has panicked entire nations. There is an alteh miseh (old tale) about a plague that attacked the world and destroyed a thousand people. Ten thousand, however, died from fright! Hopefully, this will not be the case in this day and age. Surely, this, too, shall pass!

In truth the title of this maiseh can be a comforting statement. On the other hand, it can be a depressing statement. Let me explain by using a few examples:

A “Hairable” Habit

Yussel Geferlich was a youngster who was studying for a forthcoming school exam. Nu, you may ask. Iz voss (so what)?

The problem was that he began losing some hair on his head due to his habit of pulling his hair while studying. His parents, Howard (Chaim) Geferlich, and his mother Madelyn (Malka), grew increasingly worried about their son’s habit. They therefore arranged an appointment with Doctor Zev (Zevulin) Kopdrayer, a renowned psychologist.

The doctor questioned Yussel about his past life, and the only response that was forthcoming from Yussel was, “Vair gedenkt (who remembers)?” After several sessions with the good doctor, there was no improvement, so Yussel discontinued seeing Dr. Kopdrayer, and when asked about his sessions, his response was “Dr. Kopdrayer drayt mir ihn kopp (confuses me).”

 The following day, Yussel visited his zaidy, one Reb Fishel Klugerman. “Nu,” asked his zaidy, “how is my ainikle (grandson)?”

Yussel related his hair-pulling mishugas to his zaidy, who thought about it for a few minutes.

Suddenly, he looked his grandson directly into the eyes and called out, “Yusseleh, daigeh nisht (don’t worry). Memorize these four words: This, too, shall pass!”

Yussel thought about the meaning of the words, and whenever his frustration level rose, he uttered the four-word formula. Did it help his problem? you may ask. That’s what they say….

A Tearful Parting

Lilly (Leah) Richtig was a counselor at Camp Normaidel. She enjoyed the chasidic spirit of the camp and took part in all of the activities, such as swimming, sewing, sports, fishing, and kayaking. Time never stands still, and so it was at Camp Normaidel. The final camping day arrived, and it was a gloomy day for the campers and for some of the counselors. (Others rejoiced.) As the children boarded their buses, sobbing took place. The camp director, one Izzy (Yitzchak) Plotsky, therefore took his megaphone and announced, “Campers, digeh nisht (don’t worry). This, too, shall pass.”

Was the group happy with his announcement? you may ask. Not exactly, because the sobbing increased twofold….

Shoe Woe

Benny (Binyomin) Haylig owned a shoe store in a Jewish neighborhood. His customers included a variety of people, ranging from chasidim to free thinkers (lehavdil). He had pleasant and unpleasant customers. His most dreaded customer was one Yukel Pasik. Nu, you may ask. Why did Benny dislike Yukel? Was Yukel so unlikable? So, hare zich tsue (listen) to their typical conversation:

Benny: Hello…  

Yukel: Likewise to you.

Benny: What is your shoe size?

Yukel: You don’t remember?

Benny: Here, try this pair of shoes.

Yukel: I did, last year – feh!

Benny: Try another pair, made in Australia.

Yukel: Jump shoes? Forget it.

Benny: Nu, try this soft leather pair, made in China.

Yukel: Never!

Benny: Here is a pair made in the U.S.A.

Yukel: Great. I’ll try walking with them.

Benny: Nu, how do they feel?

Yukel: Zay kvetchen (they squeeze) all over!

After trying on 10 more pairs of shoes without satisfaction, Yukel walked out of the store vowing to never return. Did he ever return? you may ask. Avadeh (of course), and he resumed nudging poor Benny.

Following each episode, an exhausted Benny returned home and greeted his wife, who gingerly asked him, “Nu, Binyomin, how was your day?”

Surely you can guess his response. Yes, it was: “This, too, shall pass! And it did…until next time.

*  *  *

Nu, there you have it, dear reader. As a people, we have faced many trials and tribulations. But, regardless of the tsoress (troubles) our forefathers faced, they maintained a hopeful attitude. One of the secrets of their survival was the words, this, too, shall pass. Let’s continue our tradition and our trust in the Ribono shel Olam, remembering always that this, too, shall pass.

If you enjoyed this article, good! If not, this, too, shall pass!