As a child, my mother forbade me from having a dog. It’s not that she, a Chassidic woman and PhD in microbiology, was religiously pet-averse. On the contrary, she’d often quote the Talmud (Avodah Zara 3b), which attests that the Creator is an enthusiastic pisciculturist who plays daily with His pet fish.
Her reason was simple. Behind our modest home, nestled in the foothills surrounding U.C. Berkeley, was the community mikvah, a quaint redwood cottage housing the Jewish ritual bath used primarily by women. As the volunteer director, my mother didn’t want the spiritually serene “mikvah experience” to be spoiled by the barking rants of an overzealous pooch. So, in an effort to satiate my zoological curiosity, she allowed all other kinds of indoor pets. Salamanders from the backyard. Frogs from Boy Scout camp. Hamsters. Parakeets. Guinea pigs. Even a chicken named Fwedwika. Through encouraging me to be a caretaker for my little critters, my mother taught me the meaning of responsibility, reliability, and perhaps even love.
But the guinea pigs were proficient at producing exorbitant amounts of excrement and they had begun to breed. As soon as I began to smell like them, I was told I needed to figure out an “outdoor solution.” Our neighbor, a kind and skilled architect, fashioned an outdoor guinea pig hutch for me, adjacent to the flower garden in front of the mikvah. I presume my parents agreed to it for easy access to the self-perpetuating, 100% organic, guinea-pig fertilizer.
I was covered with guinea pig feces when I saw the entourage of Yiddish-speaking men coming my way.
One Friday afternoon, I was out cleaning the hutch in preparation for Shabbat. My T-shirt was splattered with guinea pig feces from my vigorous scrubbing. My hands were caked with a multicolored malodorous muck, from changing their newspaper bedding. But I loved it, because I loved seeing the guinea pigs squeal with excitement and purr with contentment when being let back into their freshly cleaned home. I was so engrossed in the task at hand that I didn’t hear the crowd speaking Yiddish until they were already upon me.
Me with the hutch, designed by Andy Grant
I looked up and saw an entourage of men walking down the path, headed toward the mikvah. At their center was a Chassidic Rebbe, Rabbi Hershel Yolles, who regularly visited the Bay Area. (Many Chassidim immerse in a mikvah daily, especially before Shabbat or Jewish holidays). Like a startled guinea pig, my head jerked from side to side looking for an escape route. But it was too late. The path to the mikvah snaked right by my location. I froze. I felt so embarrassed.
Oh no, what is the Rebbe going to say to me?
I may have only been in elementary school but I knew enough to know that there were more appropriate ways to prepare for Shabbat than being caught knee-deep in rodent excrement. And from an animal called a “pig” no less.
As Rabbi Yolles’ sharp eyes flitted in my direction, I felt the heat of shame flush onto my face. I wished the ground would just open and swallow me up. Please, Hashem, please, I thought, make them not notice me. Please make them walk straight by me. But the Samborer Rebbe, royal descendent of the Baal Shem Tov, Reb Elimelech of Lizensk and the Sanzer Rebbe, stopped right in front of me.
Rabbi Hershel Yolles, of blessed memory ©David Spieler
“Yingeleh (young boy), what is your name?” he asked.
I felt my face go red as I answered, “Levi. Levi Yitzchok Welton.”
“Ah,” he said as he stroked his pure, white beard. “You’re the son of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Welton?”
“Yes,” I muttered, desperately wanting the interrogation to be over. His followers stood in respectful silence but I could tell they were restless, confused as to why the Rebbe had stopped to converse with a child.
Then he asked the question I had been dreading, “And what are you doing here?” He pointed one of his fingers toward the guinea pig hutch. Fingers, I knew, which only touched the soft pages of the Torah or the tear-soaked lines of his siddur (prayer book). I felt mortified.
I felt overwhelmed with guilt. How often did Chassidic Rebbes make pilgrimages to Berkeley, California? I should be inside, studying Torah in preparation for Shabbat. Or helping my mother prepare the Shabbat candles. I wish he would have caught me in the midst of davening (praying) or something like that!
Mumbling and fumbling, I told him, "Um. These are my pet guinea pigs. I'm cleaning their hutch for Shabbos." My eyes locked onto the tips of my feces-covered sneakers as I awaited the beratement I was sure would ensue.
Instead, I heard him laugh.
I looked up. The California sun glinted off of his wrinkled face. His laugh was quiet, warm and musical. Then he leaned towards me, his eyes twinkling as they grasped my soul.
“Yingeleh, I can think of nothing more Godly than for you to take care of all your animals as you prepare for Shabbat.”
“Yingeleh,” he whispered, “Der Beshefer (The Creator) made the world in six days and on the seventh day, He rested. Almighty God took care of all His animals before He entered Shabbat. I can think of nothing more Godly than for you to take care of all your animals as you prepare for Shabbat.” He paused and said, “May Hakadosh Baruch Hu bless you to always be a loving caretaker of the beautiful creatures in His beautiful garden.”
I was shell shocked. No words came out of my mouth. The Rebbe smiled. Then, just as unexpectedly as he had appeared, he disappeared down the path with his entourage and into the mikvah. I ran into my house to proudly tell my mother and father what had happened.
As I grew up, I learned many stories of Chassidic Rebbes. Quite often, the tales recorded pop off the pages with more vivid authenticity than Broadway's award-winning all-Yiddish rendition of "Fiddler on the Roof." Many of those tales involve miracles of supernatural scale.
Mine involved guinea pigs. And that’s kosher enough for me.
(21) Susan Shalem, August 6, 2020 12:51 PM
From one animal lover to another
As another animal lover, I really enjoyed this upbeat article.
(20) Anonymous, July 10, 2020 5:51 AM
absolutely beautifully written & a wonderful prespective
(19) Sarah Masha, July 10, 2020 4:02 AM
The Renee saw something special.
I see as a child you took care of pets. Now as an adult you are taking care of people.
(18) Yehuda Altein, July 10, 2020 2:06 AM
Amazing story! I love it!
(17) Evelyn Wasserman, July 10, 2020 1:31 AM
A Beautiful story about a caring little boy.
This was such a wonderful heartwarming story. A young child who took care of his pets that was a difficult task. He was fortunate that, at a very young age, understood the responsibility of understanding the obligations attached to owning pets. It is not surprising he grew up becoming a caring, understanding, Rabbi.
(16) Carol Segal, July 10, 2020 1:08 AM
A beautiful, heart-warming story by a wonderful Rebbe.
This is a charming story, and I am sure one you could never forget. I also enjoyed seeing the picture of you as a handsome young boy who grew up to be a very handsome and wonderful Rebbe.
RLW, July 10, 2020 1:16 AM
Thank you, Baubee!
Thank you, Baubee! You're the best grandmother-in-law :)
(15) Mambo, July 8, 2020 5:42 PM
Brought joy to my day
Exhausted having just finished my dialysis session. That and covid restrictiions making me so depressed. When I read your guinea pig story I suddenly felt so much better. Such wisdom! (And your parents were so astute too, fostering your love of animals rather than seeing pets as a nuisance).
rabbi levi welton, July 10, 2020 12:54 AM
Mambo, thank you!
Dear Mambo,
Your comment brought joy to my day! If I were to have written this article just to bring you joy...Dayenu! May Hashem bless you with a Refuah Sheleima!
(14) Lenny Levin, July 8, 2020 2:23 PM
Tears of joy-confirmation of my blessing for righteous children
My son's fiancee is studying to be a vet. She has a pet Guinea pig also with the typical dog and bird feeders. The kind neshoma in carrying for all Hashem's creatures is testament to bringing Torah into the mundane. Thank you for bringing "light" to others.
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 12:58 AM
Wow!
Dear Lenny,
Thank you for your beautiful comment! And Mazal Tov no your son's fiancees good work :)
(13) MESA, July 8, 2020 2:18 PM
What a sweet story. It's too bad that so many of these great rabbanim are gone. They were such mentschen who knew how to give that kind of chizuk.
May you continue to care for Hashem's creatures.
Anonymous, July 9, 2020 7:18 AM
I agree
I got tears eyed thinking how the Rebbe spoke so positively and encouragingly to him.
And, having grown up in Southern California, it was nice to read about the Mikva near UC Berkeley.
I don’t know if Rabbi Welton was living there around 35 years ago, but my brother’s roommate, ( they were studying at UCLA at the time) originally from Northern California, became Frum. I forgot the details, and I am obviously missing some information, but I recall that he and another 8 students all studying at UC Berkeley, became Frum.
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 12:57 AM
Agreed.
Dear Mesa,
Agreed. "Such mentschen who knew how to give that kind of chizuk". Perfectly said. Amen to your bracha. And don't worry, the future has many more great Rabbonim in store for us. Thanks to the internet, we never know who will read out stories, become inspired, and grow up to be the type of Gedolim you and I love.
(12) Fredric M London, July 8, 2020 3:14 AM
Great nachas
What a sweet story!
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 12:59 AM
Thank you.
Thank you, Fredric.
(11) Anonymous, July 7, 2020 5:17 PM
Greatvstory!
I too like to prepare my cats, dogs and fish for Shabbat. I give them special treats for the day. I'd read in a book by Rabbi Telushkin that it's good practice so i have ever since.
(10) Anonymous, July 7, 2020 4:49 PM
Animal lover
We have always had animals in our house since we have been married. Our children have learned how to love and have patience and kindness from our pets. All creatures are God’s creatures. Also “a chicken named fwedwica” had me rolling on the floor.
RLW, July 10, 2020 1:06 AM
How beautiful that you have instilled those values in your children! Kol hakavod!
(9) KH Ryesky, July 7, 2020 2:55 PM
Guinea Pigs make good pets.
When I made salads, I peeled the carrot peelings directly into our guinea pig's cage. Also threw him the outer lettuce leaves.
They eat dandelions and crab grass.
What is there to not like about them?
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 1:07 AM
What a mitzvah!
(8) Anonymous, July 7, 2020 2:47 PM
Very interesting take on children looking after animals
The comment by the Rabbi sums it all up. Take care of your earthly duties during the week and Hasem said to rest on the Sabbath.
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 1:07 AM
Beautiful idea. Thank you for sharing!
(7) Tova Saul, July 7, 2020 2:38 PM
A well-cared for dog would not bark very often
Your mom should have let you have a dog, instead of animals that need to be caged.
(6) Shaindel, July 7, 2020 4:45 AM
I'll share this with my kids
Thanks for your story. We have 2 guinea pigs that we recently bought to keep the kids busy during Covid-19. I'm going to share this with my kids who have the job of fully cleaning their cage once per week and daily smaller cleanings. It's a big job but taking care of Hashem's creatures and it's a noble task, as you related in the article.
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 1:00 AM
Thank you, Shaindel.
Kol Hakavod to your kids. I know what they're going through...ha ha
(5) Teri Smith, July 6, 2020 5:02 PM
Guinea Pigs story
This was a great story!! It was a blessing! Thank you for sharing on Face Book!
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 1:02 AM
You're welcome, Teri.
Amen to that, Teri. You're most welcome!
(4) Anonymous, July 5, 2020 11:16 PM
Heartwarming experience
Beautiful tale of kindness and caring that had a wonderful impact on a young boy. Loved reading this story.
Anonymous, July 10, 2020 1:01 AM
Thank you.
Thank you for leaving this comment. I'm glad you loved the story of the Samborer Rebbe OBM.
(3) BenTzion weltom, July 5, 2020 5:14 PM
Beauriful
Beautiful, my son. Yes I remember it well!
Levi Welton, July 6, 2020 12:47 PM
love you Ta!
(2) Rabbi Levi Welton, July 5, 2020 2:46 PM
Thank you Nina.
Yes, I do. A tortoise named "Scooter". But now it's my son who is taking care of her.
(1) Nina, July 5, 2020 7:29 AM
This is wonderful!
I loved the rabbi`s blessing! And do you still have pets now?