Pesukei d’Zimrah-Slonim-Making Music to God

The 28th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Mordechai Kastelanitz of Lecovitz, the father of the Slonim Chassidic dynasty, immigrated to Chevron in 1844 (1837-1916). A man once came to Rabbi Mordechai of Lecovitz and complained that he was aware of the imperfections of his service of God, and that he was depressed. His only consolation lay, he said, in his knowledge that others were inferior even to him.

The Rabbi responded, “How can you gain any consolation from believing that others are worse than you? How do you know they are inferior? Let me share a parable with you from which you can honestly derive comfort:

A King had an orchestra which regaled him with music whenever he pleased. He also possessed a Nightingale which sang at intervals. The king found himself rejoicing more in the natural, untutored melodies of the little bird than the studied harmonies of his orchestra.

The King of Kings has hosts of angels who seen before Him in perfect harmony, yet, He prefers to hear the imperfect and often times, discordant praise of us mortals. As long as we offer our service to the best of our ability, we need never feel disheartened at our inadequacies. (Ohr Yesharim, page 40)