With incredible creativity, they fashioned a ring from the extractions of gold teeth and engraved upon it the Talmud’s teaching, “He who saves one life, it is as if he saved an entire world.” The film depicts that when the ring was presented to Schindler, he began to weep uncontrollably.
But he was not crying that the ordeal was finally over, or shedding tears like an Olympic champion who has completed a crowning achievement. These were painful sobs of frustration. He dissolved in a fit of morbid crying over the realization that he could have rescued even more people. There was no room for Schindler to gloat, aware of how much more he might have done.
It is known that the Chazon Ish would stand up for the mentally challenged. When questioned as to his custom, he replied, “This individual was born with reduced potential, and with great effort he has succeeded far beyond everybody’s expectations. He lived up to his full potential, and I honor him because of that.”
(To be continued)
Chodesh tov – have a pleasant month!
