Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin: The Secret of the "Ki" and the Cows - The Daily Chizuk

Among the words of Torah and ethics of the Torah giants of Israel, short and illuminating stories are sometimes woven, teaching ways of life and faith. In the daily chizuk, Morinu, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, reveals that such is the story of Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin, one of the greatest Chassidic leaders of his generation. Through a seemingly simple sermon, he revealed a depth of trust and Divine Providence, while referring both to verses in Psalms and to a surprising interpretation of an everyday word.

The Source of the Verse

Someone said, "I have two 'Ki's: 'For (Ki) in Him our hearts will rejoice, for (Ki) in His holy Name we have trusted'" (Psalms 33:21).

The Rebbe's Sermon

Trust in Livelihood

Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin said this. He said in a sermon, "I have two 'Ki's, therefore I do not worry about parnassah (livelihood)."

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Wondering About the Worry

The Declaration of Trust

He said, "You worry about parnassah (livelihood). Why do you worry about parnassah? I have two 'Ki's."

The Arrival of the Women

A Line for Fresh Milk

All the women came. A hundred women with buckets. That's how they took the milk, with buckets. There were no bottles, no bags, and no cartons. They came to him and stood in line. A hundred women.

The Limited Source of Livelihood

Documenting the Story

He only had two cows. Here is the story right here in the book Shema Shlomo. "Here, bring the book where it is written," requests Morinu the Rav shlit"a from the gabbai (attendant).

The Question of Survival

Worrying for the Family

Someone asked, "How do you make a living? Go to work. Your wife has no food."

A Double Meaning

The Bridge to Yiddish

He said, "I have two 'Ki's." In Yiddish, the translation of the word 'Ki' (Kih) is cows. 'Ki' means cows in Yiddish.

Clarifying the Matter

The Secret of Joy and Trust

He said, "I have two 'Ki's." In the morning, everyone came to ask for milk. "You have two 'Ki's (cows)." He said, "I have 'For (Ki) in Him our hearts will rejoice, for (Ki) in His holy Name we have trusted.'"