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Weekly Chasidic Story #578 (s5769-13 / 26 Kislev 5769) The Heirloom Menorah Much to her extreme surprise, the Sassover Rebbe said, "I don't want any money from you; I want your very beautiful and precious menora." (Connection: Chanukah)
The Heirloom MenorahOnce, when Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov was visiting the town of Brod, a wealthy woman came to him to ask him to pray for the recovery of her daughter who was seriously ill. When the woman introduced herself and mentioned her father's name, Rabbi Moshe Leib realized that he knew of her family, who were famous for their generosity to the needy. As the conversation progressed the wealthy woman described her child's illness, and the tzadik promised to pray for her. As it was customary to give the tzadik a monetary donation to distribute among the poor or for a specific urgent cause, the woman removed an envelope from her purse and placed it on the table, but Rabbi Moshe Leib refused to accept it. "I don't want money from you." he said. "But Rabbi, what do you mean? What is it that you do want from me? I will do anything in the world to help my daughter!" "I know you have a very beautiful and valuable Chanukah menorah. That is what I want." "Rabbi, I do have the menorah you described, but it is my most precious possession, an inheritance from my grandfather. However, if you want it, I will gladly give it to you." The Rebbe listened carefully, nodding his head. "I am aware that the menorah is very special and precious to your family. If you agree to let me have it, you must mean this most sincerely; you must give it to me with no compunctions or inner doubts whatsoever." "I understand completely, and I agree with all my heart. The menorah is yours, and I will bring it to you today," the woman said in a strong, firm voice. That evening, when she came and presented the menorah to Rabbi Moshe Leib, his students were buzzing with amazement. How had the Rebbe known about the menorah's existence? Why had the Rebbe asked for a gift, something so far out of character? And why in the world did he want it anyway, when it was a known fact that he used only the menorah he had received from his teacher and Rebbe, Rabbi Shmelke of Nicholsbug? On the first night of Chanuka, as the Rebbe prepared to light the first wick, Yechiel Tzoref the silversmith stood at his side. He had no idea why he had been chosen for this great honor, but he was beaming with happiness. After the light was kindled and they had sat near the candles for half an hour or so, the Rebbe beckoned to the silversmith to enter his study. "I want to tell you a story about your grandfather, may he rest in peace, for whom you were named. "When the time came for your grandfather to arrange a match for his daughter, he was so poor, he couldn't find a suitor. No one would lend him money, since it was obvious he could never return the loan. After exhausting all of his acquaintances he decided to approach a certain very wealthy man. When he asked him to lend him money to arrange a marriage for his daughter, the wealthy man replied, 'I know you will never be able to repay me, but I will make a deal with you. I know that you own a very beautiful menorah, the likes of which I have never seen. If you will give it to me, I will give you 10,000 gulden, enough for the marriage and even more, even though such a sum is many more times what the silver of the menorah is worth' "When your grandfather heard the demand, he was shocked. It was his most precious possession, something which was infinitely dear to him. Every year, his Rebbe, Rabbi Zushia of Anipoli, had distributed silver coins to his chasidim. Reb Yechiel had collected the prized coins year by year, and they were dearer to him than anything in the world. "When he had amassed quite a collection, your grandfather melted them down and utilized all of his craft and talents to form from them a magnificent menorah. It was this menorah which the rich man wanted. No, thought Reb Yechiel, he couldn't even think of relinquishing it. "Having refused the rich man's offer, Reb Yechiel went everywhere to try to borrow the money, but in the end he failed. For his daughter's sake he had no choice but to accept the rich man's terms and part with his beloved menorah. "When the wealthy man passed away and stood before the Heavenly Court, there was some controversy as to how to rule in his case. On the one hand, the rich man had certainly performed the mitzvah of giving money to help poor brides, and very generously so. But on the other hand, he had coveted the prized possession of a poor man and caused him great pain. "Finally, the Court reached a decision. The wealthy man's reward would be withheld, since the mitzvah was intertwined with the sin of coveting the possession of another. "That
is why I have arranged to return the menorah to you, his grandson. The sin has
now been atoned for, and the wealthy benefactor of your grandfather will rest
in peace, enjoying his eternal reward." ~~~~~~~ [Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the version published in Living Jewish, the weekly publication of "Chabad of the Cardo," Jerusalem Old City.] Connection: Chanukah Biographic Note:
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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.