Weekly Chasidic Story #585 (s5769-20 / 16 Shevat 5769)

The Day of Joy -- Reserved

Rabbi Nosson Dovid of Shidlowitz was once staying at a health resort when he ran out of funds.

(Connection: Weekly Torah Reading - the Fourth Commandment)

The Day of Joy -- Reserved

Rabbi Nosson Dovid of Shidlowitz was once staying at a health resort when he ran out of funds. The shamash, the one who attended to all of the Rebbe's needs, was deeply concerned. Still, he was certain that by Shabbat some of the Rebbe's richer chasidim would come to join them, to be with the Rebbe for the holy day, and they would come to his aid.

The Rebbe's attendant proved to be correct, for on Thursday a rich chasid did come to the spa to spend the Shabbat with the Rebbe. The shamash rushed to tell him of the Rebbe's predicament and, as he had expected, the chasid gladly gave him a large sum.

The shamash thanked him profusely and ran to tell the Rebbe the good news.

Later that day the chasid was shown in to see the Rebbe. To his amazement, the Rebbe hardly looked at him. He said a weak, "Shalom aleichem" and turned away to other business.

The chasid was deeply disappointed and hurt. Was this the welcome that he deserved after he had given the Rebbe such a large sum? But, far worse than the pain was the thought that the Rebbe was ungrateful.

Thursday passed. Friday came. Then it was Friday night. After the prayers, R' Nosson Dovid beckoned to the rich chasid.

"Shalom Aleichem, Gut Shabbes!" he said with warmth and joy. "How happy I am to see you. How glad I am that you came for Shabbat."

In reply to the astonished look on the chasid's face, he explained

"You must be surprised that I saved my warm greeting all the way until now. You are surely wondering why I did not greet you enthusiastically when you arrived, especially since you gave such a generous donation when I was so pressed for money. Let me explain. I wished to experience the joy that your donation generated specifically on Shabbat, the holy day of rest and joy. So I took that joy and set it aside so that I could experience it today. Now you see how truly happy I am to have you here with me!"

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[Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from "Tales of Tzaddikim" (ArtScroll) by G. MaTov]

Connection: Weekly Torah Reading - the Fourth Commandment

Biographical Note:
Rabbi Nosson Dovid Rabinowitz of Shidlowitz (1814 - 7 Cheshvan 1866) was the grandson of the "Holy Yid" of Peshishcha and a and a miracle-working Rebbe of thousands in his own right. His sons and several of his disciples also became rebbes.

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