Weekly Chasidic Story #1378 (5784-35) 30 Nissan 5784 (May 8, 2024)

"The Jolted German Jew"

"Please, Rabbi," gasped Mr. Deutch as he leaned toward the 'Saba Kadisha of Radoshitz.' "Anything but that! I'm prepared to give you all my money and all my belongings, but not that!"

Why This Week? The weekly Reading of Kedoshim: first and last verses 19:1, 20:26 ["Be holy"], and verses 19:27-28 [not to shave beard or peyos].

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The Jolted German Jew

One of these Jews, who we will call Mr. Deutch (even though his name is not known anymore), had big problems. His 12-year-old son was deaf and mute; he had not spoken or heard a word since birth, could not read or write, and apparently was doomed to a life of ignorance and silence.

But Mr. Deutch did not give up easily; he brought the boy to the greatest specialists and professors in the world. However, they all concluded that although the lad seemed to be intelligent and could perhaps be taught to perform simple tasks, he would certainly never be able to actually function normally.

Sometime later, a strange rumor reached Mr. Deutch's ears. Someone told him that in Poland there were Jews called 'Chasidim' who stressed joy and boundless enthusiasm and had leaders called 'Rebbes' that did miracles such as…healing the sick.

At first he didn't believe it; Jews? Miracles? Things like that only happened thousands of years ago, by people like Elijah the prophet. But now? In the 18th century? Out of the question!

And what was this business about joy and excitement? In Germany this was totally unheard of. German Judaism was, above all, normal, balanced, and formal. Miracles, rarely, if ever entered the picture and even joy was restricted to certain occasions and holidays.

But as he made more inquires and heard more details, he began to pay attention. People were saying that there was a Jew called Rabbi Yissachar-DovBer of Radoshitz, nicknamed the 'Sabba Kadisha' ('holy grandfather'), who was a genius in Torah, knew all the books, had thousands of pupils, and people came to him with their problems from all over Europe for whom he did miracles!

Mr. Deutch thought it over for a few weeks and finally decided to give it a try. He took a briefcase filled it with money, packed his bags, got into his fancy carriage with his son, and a few days later they were standing in the Synagogue of the "Holy Sabba of Radoshitz," waiting to be called for an audience.

The Rebbe's door opened. A strikingly impressive Jew exited who introduced himself as [Rabbi] Shlomo of Radomsk, a pupil of the holy Rabbi (who in time would also become a holy Rebbe with thousands of followers of his own) and invited them to enter.

Mr. Deutch entered with his son and was immediately struck by the holiness of the old Rabbi sitting before him. The Rabbi asked what he wanted and Mr. Deutch, knowing that this was his last hope, began weeping as he explained his problem and finished, tears running down his face, with a promise from the depths of his broken heart:

"Rebbe, if you can heal my son I'm willing to give you everything I own, Everything! To start with, here is a briefcase full of money. Take it! And if you cure my son, I'll sign over to you all the rest!"

With this he burst out into uncontrollable weeping, while his son just looked on from his world of silence with a blank, slightly perplexed look on his face.

The Rebbe of Radoshitz looked at him for a few seconds, nodded his head in agreement and calmly said, "Listen, my friend. I will make you a deal. Keep your money. All your riches can remain in your hands. You don't have to give me even one penny. You can continue being a businessman, invest your money and continue doing good deeds. Your money won't help. All I want is a promise."

Mr. Deutch was all ears. He leaned forward expecting to hear a complicated message. The Rebbe continued.

"I want you to promise that you won't cut your beard, not even trim it, and let your peyos (hair hanging from the sides of the head adjacent to the ears) grow from now on."

At first Mr. Deutch didn't understand. The Rebbe didn't want his money? How could that be? He was ready to pay a lot of money... even all his money. Besides, what possible good could come from a beard? Exactly the opposite was the case! In Germany, top priority was given to being clean and neat. A full beard (and especially with peyos) was sort of primitive and…ugly!! He would be ostracized!

"Please, Rabbi," gasped Mr. Deutch as he leaned forward and almost whispered to the Rebbe. "Anything but that! I'm prepared to give you all my belongings; everything I have in the world. Dear Rabbi, think of the charity and good deeds you could do with all that money.

"It's more than you think, Rabbi. I'm talking about millions of marks! Please reconsider. People will understand. But a beard I cannot do! How could I show my face before my family and friends? I am the head of the Jewish community of my city! I would be looked at as if a madman."

The Rabbi gazed at him with soft eyes and answered, "If you truly want your son to be healed then you must do as I say. The decision is in your hands."

After a few moments of painful contemplation, Mr. Deutch nodded his head in agreement. He lovingly stroked his son's hair, and announced emotionally that he was prepared to follow the Rebbe's orders.

But, he begged to be given just two more weeks. In two weeks would be the wedding of his niece. After the wedding he could grow the beard and peyos, and before the wedding he would get all his family ready for the change.

The 'tzadik' (holy Jew) gave him a sympathetic look that seemed to suggest perhaps he would agree to such a reasonable request…but no. The Rebbe's response was:

"No my friend, you must begin today. If you don't, I cannot help you."

Mr. Deutch closed his eyes; it was obvious that an inner battle was raging in his heart. Tears dripped down his cheeks. He wiped them off, then took out a handkerchief, blew his nose, and stood straight. Quietly but assertively, he exclaimed:

"Yes Rabbi, I shall do as you say. From now on, beginning today, I'll grow a beard and side locks."

The Rebbe smiled and nodded firmly, shook Mr. Deutch's hand, and invited him to join him and his chasidim (followers) at his Shabbat table the next evening.

The word spread like fire, and on Shabbat evening (Shabbat and the holidays begin at sunset) every Jewish male in Radoshitz was crowded in the large room surrounding the hundred or so chasidim sitting along three sides of the well-supplied and decorated long table.

The Rebbe sat at the head of the table, his pupil Rabbi Shlomo of Radomsk at his right, with a slightly unshaven Mr. Deutch and son sat next to him. Tens of other senior chasidim took cramped places around the table waiting for the Rebbe to fill his cup with wine and make the Kiddush prayer over a cup of wine to begin the meal.

The Rebbe closed his eyes while the hundreds of chasidim sang an exceptionally beautiful, soulful song. It was as though the room had been transported to another world.

Suddenly the Rebbe opened his eyes and motioned for one of the chassidim to pour him wine. He then proceeded to stand, lift the full silver cup slowly, and recited the 'Kiddush' (which praises G-d for giving the Holy Shabbat). After, he sat and drank half of its contents.

The Rebbe motioned to the boy to come to him.. The crowd suddenly was absolutely silent. When the boy stood slowly and approached the Rebbe you could hear a pin drop.

The Rebbe extended his sanctified cup of wine, and told Shlomo of Radomsk to hold it with him. Together, they put it up to the child's lips, whereupon the Rebbe instructed quietly: "Now my son, say the blessing on the wine!"

The boy hesitated for a moment, looked intently at the wine in the cup, cleared his throat, and pronounced word-by-word in a shaky high pitched voice, "Boruch-ataw ... Melech-HaOlom-Borei-Pri-HaGefen," and took a sip.

Mr. Deutch began to laugh and cry alternately. He stood, then sat, shook hands and hugged everyone around him, especially his son--everyone except, of course, the Rebbe. The chasidim broke into joyous song and Mr. Deutch danced before all of them, raising his hands to the heavens and alternately yelling "Danks Got," and kissing his son over and over again.

Finally, when the confusion died down and Mr. Deutch caught his breath he stood on a chair and announced, "Today everyone made a big profit. I kept my money and got a talking son."

One of the chasidim added, "and also a beard with peyos!" Everyone laughed.

Mr. Deutch continued, "My son got his hearing and speaking!" Everyone clapped.

"But the Rebbe also got something. He now has a new chasid... me!" Loud applause.

"Until today I was deaf too. I was deaf to the joy and wonder of being a chasid. But it's never too late to start hearing!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Excepted and adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from an article by Rabbi Tuvia Bolton in a 2013 email from his Yeshiva, Ohr Tmimim, in Kfar Chabad, Israel.

Biographic notes:
Rabbi Yissachar-DovBer of Radoshitz [1765-18 Sivan 1843], the 'Saba Kadisha' ('holy grandfather'), was a disciple of the Seer of Lublin and of the Holy Yid of Peshischa. Famed as a miracle maker, he lived in poverty as a simple tutor.

Rabbi Shlomo HaKohen Rabinowitz of Radomsk [1803 - 29 Adar 1866] was the chief rabbi and then the Rebbe in his town. He is the author of the Chasidic tome, "Tiferet Shlomo." His concern for the poor, his manner of speech and inspired melodious singing attracted thousands of followers.

Why This Week? The weekly Reading of Kedoshim: first and last verses 19:1, 20:26 ["Be holy"], and verses 19:27-28 [not to shave beard or peyos].

Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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