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Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received Semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of the books, Fascinating Insights and Incredible Insights. His writings inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, writes, and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
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Hitch to the Next World
An avreich named Yosef was once at Kever Rachel and was searching for a ride to his apartment in Maalot Dafna.[1] A man named Shmuel that was driving to his Har Nof home from Kever Rachel happily agreed to drive him.[2]
Yosef didn’t want the man to go out of his way (Maalot Dafna is out of the way when driving to Har Nof from Kever Rachel) so he told him to drop him off at a bus stop in Har Nof and he will take a bus to Maalot Dafna. Shmuel told him that Maalot Dafna is not out of the way. He explained, “If my destination would be Har Nof, then Maalot Dafna would be out of my way. But my destination is Olam Haba and therefore this is the way to get there.”
[1] It has been said that giving a ride to people falls under the category of the great mitzva הכנסת אורחים, hospitality to guests.
[2] In a letter dated Monday, Parshas Vayeishev in the year 1988, R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 7:11) was asked for his opinion as to why there were an increase in car accidents during that period. One reason, he writes, is because of the sins that are committed on the road, as is known. These cause spiritual evil forces to be created that are now present on the road and they snatch people in the guise of car accidents. At times, even innocent people fall into their clutches (See Shemos 12:22, Rashi). Another reason, he writes, is that people don’t perform the chessed of giving a ride to those who are waiting for a hitch. Many times, this falls under the category of זה נהנה וזה לא חסר (Baba Kamma 20a), this one benefits (hitchhiker in this case) and this one doesn’t lose (the driver).
