By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

In Memory of Refoel ben Louis On His Fifteenth Yahrtzeit

Perhaps one of the best ways to help combat the rising scourge of anti-Semitism is by being a model of Yashrus and integrity to the umos haOlam. Hashem’s signet ring is Emes and as the am hashem – we should reflect this in all that we do.

Shlomo HaMelech teaches us in Mishlei (12:19), “Sefas emes tikon la’ad” — lips of truth shall be established forever.

The Torah tells us that Moshe Rabbeinu, while still in Pharaoh’s palace, “went out to his brothers and saw their burdens.” The Seforno explains these words with remarkable depth: “He set his eyes and his heart to be distressed over them.” Within this explanation lies a profound lesson about two different levels of emes.

The first level of everyday emes is to always speak the truth and never utter a lie. But there exists a deeper level called dover emes bilvavo — speaking truth in one’s own heart. This level is not merely about observing truth from afar, but about fully engaging with it emotionally and intellectually. A harsh reality should invoke genuine distress over that reality. Moshe Rabbeinu did not just passively note the suffering of his brethren; he deeply engaged with it to the extent that this seeing led directly to his intervention when he witnessed an Egyptian striking a Jew.

This concept of dover emes bilvavo contains three essential components: honest observation, emotional engagement, and action based upon that understanding. When we truly analyze it, we see that the Torah’s emphasis on Moshe “going out” carries a powerful message — sometimes integrity requires us to leave our comfort zones and deliberately place ourselves in positions where we must confront uncomfortable truths. True knowledge is not complete until it transforms both our feelings and our actions.

Refoel ben Louis exemplified this teaching in a most remarkable way. He once expressed a sentiment that perfectly captured his essence: “I truly enjoy paying taxes. The reason? HaKaras HaTov. It gives me the ability to express gratitude for what the United States has done for us.” This was not mere words; this was dover emes bilvavo — truth spoken from the depths of his heart. Where others might see an obligation or burden, he saw an opportunity to express genuine gratitude.

This sentiment echoes the teaching of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, who famously stated that he would rather be a street cleaner in the United States — which treats us fairly and allows us to learn Torah — than be a Rav in Communist Russia. Rav Feinstein called the United States a “Malchus shel Chessed,” a government of kindness. Refoel ben Louis understood this truth not merely intellectually, but felt it deeply in his heart, and translated that feeling into action through his joyful fulfillment of his civic duties.

The personal cost of living with such integrity should not be underestimated. Moshe Rabbeinu gave up his privileged position in Pharaoh’s palace because his heart could not remain still while witnessing injustice. Similarly, a person of true integrity often sacrifices what is easy for what is right. This challenges each of us to examine our own lives: What truths might we be avoiding because acknowledging them would require uncomfortable changes?

The Gemara in Shabbos (55a) teaches that the seal of HaKadosh Baruch Hu is emes — truth. When a person lives with genuine integrity, they align themselves with the very essence of the Divine. Refoel ben Louis carried this seal throughout his life. His honesty was not a burden he bore but a privilege he cherished, just as his gratitude to his country was not an obligation he fulfilled but a joy he embraced.

As we mark fifteen years since his passing, let us commit ourselves to following his example. May we strive not merely to avoid falsehood, but to be dovrei emes bilvavo — speakers of truth within our own hearts. May we cultivate the kind of hakaras hatov that sees blessings where others see burdens. And may the memory of Refoel ben Louis continue to inspire us to live lives of genuine integrity, where our actions flow naturally from hearts aligned with truth.

The Chiddushei HaRim teaches that the phrase “Arami Oved Avi” can be understood to mean that a ramai — one who practices deceit — loses the merit of his fathers. Conversely, one who commits to integrity and honesty connects himself to the merit of the righteous who came before. Refoel ben Louis understood this truth instinctively. His life of honesty was not merely personal virtue but a link in the golden chain connecting generations.

The author can be reached at [email protected]

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