At The Home Depot late one night right before Sukkos…
It’s a little past closing time but there’s still one line open with all different types of Yidden buying their last minute Sukkah supplies.
At the front of the line is an elderly Chassidish Yid with a shopping cart full of stuff. Behind him are two Modern Orthodox Yidden buying some really long 2 x 4s. Behind them is a group of Yeshivish Yidden with some planks, lights and an industrial extension cord.
Behind them is a YWN Coffee Room contributor buying replacement parts for a wooden Sukkah.
Behind me is a Non- Yid who’s wondering what’s going on.
I explain to him the basics about eating in a Sukkah and we have a cordial conversation about it.
The cashier then points out to the Chassidish Yid that one of the items in his cart is broken and he should run and get a replacement.
When he comes back the guy behind me yells that he should get to the back of the line.
“You stepped out of the line, now you lost your place and have to go to the back.”
“I just went to exchange something that was broken”, he replied, “I already waited a long time in line and I don’t have time to wait again.”
“Well I also waited a long time in line”, the guy behind me yelled back, “and I don’t either have time for this- I’m very busy”.
This back and forth went on a little longer until he finished his transaction, paid and left.
After he left one of the Modern Orthodox Yidden announced that the guy in the back of the line is in a rush, doesn’t have time to wait in line and asked if everyone could please step aside and let him cut the line.
We all stepped aside and the guy was mortified. He said that he’s not really in a rush and has no problem waiting his turn.
“But you just publicly humiliated the person here because you’re in a rush”, the person at the front of the line said. “None of us mind letting you cut the line if you’re that busy. We insist that you come to the front.”
He sheepishly said that he’s going to wait his turn and kept his mouth shut after that.
We never did finish our conversation about Sukkos but I was impressed on how Yidden of all different types stand up for each other.