1496 (5786-47) 27 Av 5786 (Aug 10, 2026)

"The War-Time Saga of an Orphaned Fur-Sewer"

He traveled to the [2nd] Shtefanesht Rebbe of Shtefanesht with a group of other chasidic boys who also had recently received an order to join the Romanian army.

Why This Week? The Torah reading, Shoftim,contains the Torah's laws for the drafting of Jewish soldiers.

Story in PDF format for more convenient printing

The War-Time Saga of an Orphaned Fur-Sewer

The 'Yosef' in this story was orphaned of his father at a very young age, and as he was the oldest child, the burden of supporting his mother and family fell on him. He went to learn how to sew fur, and that brought income to the family.

But, after several years, when he turned eighteen, he was
drafted to enlist in the Romania army, and since he had a profession, he could not avoid serving. Being a Chassidish boy, he was worried about maintaining his Yiddishkeit (Jewish observance), and also who would support his mother and family while he was in the army.

The chasidim among the draftees would go to their Rebbes for a blessing to be freed from serving. Yosef traveled to the [2nd] Shtefaneshte Rebbe, grandson of the "Holy Rizhiner" Rebbe, with another group of chasidic boys who also received an order to join the army! Every boy stood in line and the Rebbe blessed each of them in turn: "May you be freed from the army and from the hands of the Gentiles."

Surprisingly though, when his turn came, the Rebbe blessed him "May G*d arrange you an easy service in the army!" This struck him like a thunderbolt! The Rebbe clearly said that he will have to join the army! What will happen to his Judaism and of the income for his family?

He decided to try his luck again and went to the rear of the line of those other boys still waiting for a blessing from the Rebbe. Yosef was hopeful when the Rebbe blessed them all to be freed from the army and the hands of the Gentiles, but when came his second chance, the Rebbe blessed him with the same words as before: "May the One Above give you an easy service in the army!"

He began to cry in front of the Rebbe and asked what about his Torah observance, and who would support his mother and his family! The Rebbe reassured him not to be worried, because his serving would be easy and G*d will guard you that your service would not affect your Kashrus or Shabbos observing. "G*d will also help you to continue to support the family even while in the army."

After hearing this clear declaration, Yosef calmed down and said goodbye to Rebbe, who then gave him another warm blessing.

When the day arrived to report to the army, Yosef was relaxed, due to his full trust in the Rebbe! When he arrived at the army center, an officer sent him to serve in the city of Chernovitz. This greatly comforted him because there were many chasidic Jews in Chernovitz.

The first two days he really worked hard to keep up with the military training. On the third day though, there was an announcement made -- if anyone among the soldiers had knowledge how to sew fur, should come forward. Yosef stepped forth and announced he was an expert in sewing fur.

The officer was glad, and seemed relieved. He sent Yosef to the home of the chief commander of the army who was also the minister of Chernovitz. His wife had torn her precious coat of fur and an expert was needed to fix it, so well that people would not recognize that it had ever been torn.

Yosef examined the coat and said he could fix it, but added that he need-ed to take the coat with him to match to fur that would blend in perfect-ly. The minister agreed and turned over the expensive fur coat to Yosef.

Yosef took it with him to the garment center in the city. The first business that he entered that sold fur belonged to a chasidic Jew. But when the man saw a soldier entering, he became terrified; what did the soldier want from him?

Yosef reassured him not to be afraid, and introduced himself as a chasid of Shtefaneshte Rebbe. He told him of the Rebbe's blessing, and the minister's wife's coat that he was given to fix.

The owner visibly relaxed and guided him to where he could find the right colored fur. He also provided him a corner where he could sit and mend the coat.

As Yosef' worked, the owner quickly perceived his expertise. He exclaimed: "I want to hire you. I have a very close connection with the army, as I am the one to whom they bring their uniforms to fix! I will arrange that they free you in order to work for me.

Yosef agreed. He realized that the blessing of Rebbe was already being fulfilled. True, he had actually worked really hard as a soldier for two days, but now he will be able to work for a chasidic Jew, keep up his Yiddishkeit, and still earn money to support his family.

Yosef went back to the minister with the repaired coat, accompanied by the shop owner. When he showed it to his wife she was totally delighted, as there was no indication that it had ever been torn. He offered Yosef a handsome amount of money for his expertise work.

When the manager of the business then asked the minister if he could take Yosef to work for him, he immediately agreed, and said that whenever he would need the services of Yosef, the employer should make sure that Yosef reports promptly.

Thus, Yosef received his temporary discharge from the army and began to work for the chasid. Not so long after that, Yosef became engaged to a fine chassidic girl, and his boss arranged for Yosef to be released from the army. Just as the Shtefaneshter promised - "an easy service!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Freely adapted and supplemented by Yerachmiel Tilles from an article by Yehuda Z. Klitnick in the Parshas Shemos 5786 email of Pardes Yehuda, as posted on ShabbatStories.com.

Why This Week? The Torah reading, Shoftim, contains the Torah's laws for the drafting of Jewish soldiers.

Biographical note:
Rabbi Avraham-Mattisyahu Fridman of Shtefanesht [1848 - 21 Tammuz 1933], in Romania, was a grandson of the holy Rabbi Yisroel of Rizhin. In 1869, became the second Rebbe in the Shtefaneshter dynasty, he succeeding his father, Rabbi Menachem-Nochum, 4th born of the six sons of the holy Rizhiner that established Chassidic dynasties. While famed for his miraculous powers and having thousands of followers and admirers, he was also considered one of the true hidden tzadikim of his generation. In 1969 his remains -- which witnesses alive today testify were still as whole and fresh as the day he died! -- were exhumed and transferred from Romania to Nachlas Yitzchok in Tel Aviv, where his grave is a holy site of prayer for thousands of Jews.

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.

To receive the Story by e-mail every Wednesday--sign up here!

"Festivals of the Full Moon"
("Under the Full Moon" vol 2 - holiday stories)
is now available for purchase from ASCENT
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *