Rebbe Descends Eight Floors on Foot to Avoid Displacing Arab Workers

The Rebbe of Dushinsky, Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Dushinsky, demonstrated an act of humility and respect for Arab laborers on Thursday when he refused to take an elevator they had vacated for him. The Rebbe was visiting a wealthy supporter in a luxury penthouse apartment on the eighth floor of a building in Jerusalem. Upon arriving at the elevator on the top floor, he found it filled with Arab workers. Recognizing the Rebbe, the workers immediately began to exit, offering him priority. However, the Rebbe insisted they remain inside, even asking one worker who had already stepped out to re-enter. He then chose to walk down all eight flights of stairs rather than accept the workers' deference.

A video of the incident, filmed by Shlomi Cohen, captured one of the workers exclaiming, "For our Rebbe's sake, please get in." The Rebbe's entourage noted that such acts of self-effacement are characteristic of his daily conduct. In a similar past incident, the Rebbe was seen helping a man carry heavy cases of water and soda up to a third-floor apartment in a building without an elevator, stating, "What about 'You shall surely help him carry' (Exodus 22:1)?" The Rebbe is known for his elevated leadership and fervent love for the Jewish people.