Weekly Chasidic Story #757(s5772-36 / 8 Sivan 5772) Saturday Night Special Rabbi Dovid-Moshe of Chortkov expounded to his chasidim how the merit of King David protects those who eat the "Melave Malka" meal. Connection (among others): King David passed away on Shavuot. Saturday Night Special
After that, he next related a story of two Jewish business partners who were very careful to escort the Shabbat queen with a proper Melave Malka each Saturday night, even when it was exceedingly difficult. "Once, the central fair was to take place on Sunday, compelling the partners to begin their journey on Saturday night, soon after Shabbat ended and they officially completed it with the Havdalah ceremony. As for Melave Malka, they packed food and planned to stop and eat somewhere on the way. "It was a frigid, cold night,
and as they were traveling, snow began to fall, concealing the road they were
following. Remembering that they had not yet eaten Melave Malka, they decided
to stop and conduct the meal, but then suddenly realized that they had no water
with which to wash their hands. "Concluding the Melave Malka, they prepared to leave and continue on their journey, when without warning, a group of thugs appeared, forcefully blocking them from exiting. "You will not leave from here alive," they shouted. "We kill all those who come here and take all their belongings." Seeing no way out, the two Jews begged for a few minutes to say the vidui confession before death. The criminals laughingly granted them this last request. "Suddenly ringing chimes, announcing the approach of a carriage, were heard, followed by knocks at the door. A travelling nobleman, a duke, had come to ask for directions, for he too had lost his way in the snowstorm. Laughing, the robbers told him that also he would not leave their hut alive and demanded that he hand over all his money. Having no choice he obeyed, and then requested a last wish, that he be given some whiskey to quench his thirst. They agreed, and the duke invited the wild criminals to join him in drinking. As soon as they began to drink, the would-be murderers suddenly became paralyzed, unable to move, like stones. The nobleman turned to the partners, instructing them to quickly take their belongings and escape. In a short amount of time, the two grateful Jews were far from the danger zone." The Chortkover Rebbe concluded, "Do you know who the gentile nobleman was? It was King David! He came to save the partners in the merit of their extra care to eat Melave Malka properly, including washing hands for bread and sitting at a table." The
next morning, two strangers arrived in Tchortkov, and began to excitedly tell
everyone they met about the miracle that had occurred to them while traveling
to the fair.
Source: Divrei David Likutim. Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition in Lma'an Yishme'u # 86. Connection (among others): King David passed away on Shavuot. Biographic note: ~~~~~~~~~~~
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