Little Nachman Part 7

 

Nachman always wanted a good friend to serve Hashem with. He thought about how pleasant learning and praying could be together with someone else. Also, a good friend could help him do mitzvot, such as helping the poor.

 

One day, Nachman saw a happy-looking boy and greeted him pleasantly: "Shalom! I’m Nachman. What’s your name?"

 

"Yitzchak," answered the other boy.

 

"Perhaps you’d like to be my friend?" asked Nachman.

 

"Sure," said Yitzchak. "It’s great to play in the mud and jump into puddles when you have a friend."

 

This certainly was not the kind of friend that Nachman was looking for. Careful not to insult Yitzchak, Nachman said, "See you later," and continued to search for a friend.

 

At the other end of the street, Nachman saw a boy about his age, and smiled, "Shalom! My name is Nachman; what’s your name?"

 

"I’m Yosef."

 

"Wow," exclaimed Nachman. “Yosef is a great name, the name of a tzaddik. Would you like to be friends with me?"

 

"Sure," said Yosef. "I love to make fun of other kids and to bother adults. You can help me – we’ll have a great time!"

 

Nachman couldn’t be friends with a boy like that. He left him too and continued on his search. Finally, he saw a quiet-looking boy who didn’t seem to be bothering anyone. He hoped that this might be his new friend.

 

 

 

To be continued, G-d willing