By Rabbi Shimon Freundlich, Director of Chabad of Beijing
We arrived in Chengdu and were very warmly received by Shluchim Rabbi Dovi and Sarah Henig. They are celebrating their son Mendel‘s Opshernish the next day and we came to spend this special occasion with them.
In the afternoon, both of our families went to the famous gigantic New Century Global Mall which has an Intercontinental Hotel and indoor beach along with a water park and many different entertainment facilities for kids.
While walking in the mall, Rabbi Dovi mentioned to me that there is a French cosmetic store that has a single volume of Shulchan Aruch – the code of Jewish law – authored by Rabbi Yosef Karo in Hebrew and French as part of their display design since the mall opened July 1, 2013.
He further told me that he had tried a number of times to persuade them to give it to him, but was unsuccessful. They very politely and respectfully told him that they belong to the Kiehl’s cosmetics brand retailer and the store’s display is sent to them from the offices in France, including this book.
Hearing this, I turned round to Dovi and said, “please take me to the store. I would like to try.”
We all came into the store and saw an extensive display with multiple books on Jewish literature (not holy books) and then the lonesome book of Shulchan Aruch. My heart sank as I saw this holy book sitting under a porcelain bowl of dried slices of lemons. As I stared at the Shulchan Aruch, the woman at the counter started walking over. I asked her in Chinese if she had a business card (thinking I would contact the boss to ask if I could have the book). She responded we don’t have a business card but if you want I can give you our store WeChat.
After scanning my code, she sent me a message in Chinese asking what I wanted. I explained that I am Jewish and the Rabbi of the Beijing Jewish community. “This book is one of our holiest books and it’s very hard for me to see it as a display piece and unused,” I wrote and added that I would be willing to pay for it.
She looked at me and said, “if I give it to you, what will you do with it?”
I will learn and teach from it.
“Is this for you?” she asked.
No, it’s for the Jewish community in Beijing.
She then reached for the sefer from under the bowl and handed it to me.
How much do you want for it?
“Nothing,” she replied. “It’s a gift for your community.”
I thanked her profusely and then suggested to my wife that we should buy something as hakoras hatov (show of appreciation). The items there were pricey but it was worth it. I think this is the most I ever ‘paid’ for a single sefer, and it will be one of the favorites.
After leaving the store I turned around to Rabbi Dovi and exclaimed, “what hashgacha protis (divine providence).”
He looked puzzled and asked me what I was referring to. I said that I had just remembered what happened today in Jewish history…
In 1509, Emperor Maximilian of Germany ordered that all Jewish books in the cities of Cologne and Frankfurt am Main be destroyed following a claim by Pfefferkorn, a baptized Jew, that Jewish literature was insulting to Christianity. The Jews appealed to the Emperor to reconsider this edict, and Maximilian agreed to investigate the matter.
Appointed to conduct the investigation was Johann Reuchlin, a famed German scholar. His report was very positive. He demonstrated that the books openly insulting to Christianity were very few and viewed as worthless by most Jews themselves. The other books were needed for Jewish worship and contained much value in the areas of theology and science.
The Emperor rescinded his edict on the 14th of Sivan, 1510.
From Tzfas (where the code of Jewish law was written), to France (where this volume was printed), to Chengdu (where it was sent as a display piece), the Shulchan Aruch was redeemed on the 14th of Sivan 5781 (2021) and will finally find a home in Beijing and be learned from.
Thank you to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Henig for this opportunity. May your incredible Chabad House and community thrive and continue to be an outstanding oasis for Jews and Judaism in Chengdu China.
Lovely storey, thank you for posting & sharing.
why do they put Jewish books all over their store?
https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/39/Kiehl-s-Since-1851-Inc.html
This might explain why they display Jewish books – it was founded by a Russian jew who saw it as a way of life infused with a meaningful value system.
This is a very interesting read. Ty !
Amazing story! Thank you for sharing!
Hard to believe how fast and easy she gave in and understood your need for the sefer! Bh.
P.s. how did you know and remember the date that the emperor cancelled his edict?? Impressive is an understatement!
P.p.s. the mall in china looks magnificent!