Chesapeake Torah

BSD
Based on Rav Yehonasson Eibeschutz’s Yaaros Hadvash and the Hesped from Rav Yitzchok Schmell shlita

When Mordechai was trying to decide if he should bow down to Homon or not, many issues weighed heavily upon his mind. Among them were:

“What effect will my actions have upon the Jewish People,my people?
Even if I can find a Halachic reason to allow this bowing, what message will the Jews end up with?
Will my actions lead to them thinking that they can bow to whomever and whatever?
I cannot take that risk.They will not understand the full circumstances of why my bowing might be permitted.
My acts may be misconstrued.
No I shall not bow. Homon very well might hurt me for this,but better that than to lead my people astray in any manner.”
This line of thinking bears an underlying current.That of intense Ahavas Yisroel/ Love of Israel.Mordechai had reason not to be so caring.He could have held onto resentment towards the many Jews who had not heeded his warnings about the feast.Yet he didn’t. He cared about everybody. As it says in the Megilla “Doresh tov l’ammo/Seeker of good for his people.”

Mordechai was a person who bore no sinas chinam/baseless hatred, towards others.He simply saw everyone as his own.
Just as Moshe’s soul had a connection to the soul of each and every Jew so too did Mordechai. This enabled him to tolerate,understand and feel deeply for every member of Klall Yisroel.This is why the Megilla teaches us that Mordechai voluntarily left with the first exile of Yehoyachin.He couldn’t bear to see his brethren carted away. He just had to go along and see how he could be of help.
These pristine attributes of Mordechai were emulated by R’ Avraham Yehuda Schmell. Regardless of the bumps he experienced throughout his long life, he continued to nurture his Ahavas Yisroel. Sinas Chinam/needless hatred was something which he worked upon. He banished it from his character.He was known for his friendly desire to do kindness to all,often for those who really may not have deserved or appreciated it. In his bakery and out, this was an ongoing way of existence.
As many a person has remarked to me:
“Tzvi,oh how I really miss your father-in-law.(Then a shake of the head)
There was nobody else like him.”
The Dinovitz Family has been friends of the Schmell’s since “way back when.”Rebbitzen Gitty, may she live till 120, recently told me a twist on an old incident which I heard about from my father-in-law.
Originally Mr.Schmell’s bakery did not have an organizational kosher
supervision.He just didn’t need it.In those times you trusted the baalhaboss and that was it. Mr.Schmell was that much more reliable as his son Rabbi Yitzchok Schmell was always there to deal with any questions.In addition, R’Avraham Yehuda was very close to Rav Abba Shenker zt”l with whom he could confer on any issue.
Time passed on and a new local group was trying to assemble organized kashrus.They approached Mr.Schmell to participate. They did not insult his kashrus standard in anyway. However they indicated that since there were others who could not be trusted, it would be better if everyone came aboard.
Mr.Schmell told me that he really had no need to participate, especially since there was a cost involved. Nevertheless he felt that it was a meritorious idea so,”I helped them out to get started,”he said.
Rebbitzen Dinovitz adds her piece.
My husband Rav Binyomin zt”l knew Mr.Schmell as both a vendor and a friend. When he heard about him being approached ,my usually gentle husband was furious.
“Never mind the intentions!!There is nobody I know more ehrlich or reliable than Mr.Abe Schmell. He would never dream of doing anything to cheat a customer monetarily or in kashrus. These people just don’t know who are they talking to.He is beyond reproach.He should not have been approached at all.”
Rav Dinovitz reacted the way one would, to an affront of Kavod haTorah.
In his eyes ,Mr.Schmell’s Yiras Shomayim and Emess were clearly unimpeachable.
Rav Dinovitz’s message is ours of today. When a person possesses great Ahavas Yisroel he just loves people too much to hurt or mislead them.
Sometimes he cares more about you than you do for yourself.
That was Mr. Abe Schmell.