What's doing in Kharkov

What's doing in Kharkov?

A chassid from the town of Kharkov came for an audience with the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe Rashab. The Rebbe asked him, vos hert zich in Kharkov -- what's happening in Kharkov?

The chassid replied, "Kharkov is great! We learn Torah, we daven, the mikvah is clean... there's always a cup of coffee available in shul, people really care for each other!"

The Rebbe Rashab gave him a gold coin.

This chassid had been joined by another chassid from Kharkov, who also desired an audience with the Rebbe.

Vos hert zich in Kharkov?, the Rebbe asked the second chassid.

"Terrible! People don't care about each other, nobody learns Torah, the mikveh is dirty..."

Some time later, these chassidim were discussing their respective interactions with the Rebbe. When the second chassid found out that the first chassid had been given a gold coin from the Rebbe, he was irked, to say the least.

Word reached the Rebbe Rashab (if I recall correctly, his brother Reb Zalman Aaron relayed the contents of the conversation between the chassidim), and the Rebbe Rashab summoned the chassid. "I heard you have some complaints...."

"Yes! Why didn't I receive a gold coin from the Rebbe? I told the truth about Kharkov!"

"You think I don't know what's going on in Kharkov?" responded the Rebbe. "I just wanted to know: Which Kharkov do you live in?!"

Friends, I think we all know "what's going on in Kharkov." Life ain't easy. Challenges abound. There is much to criticize, much in need of repair.

It is up to me to choose where I live. Will I live in the Kharkov where people care for each other, and where goodness abounds? Or do I make the choice of the second chassid?