Punishment or Blessing?

It was a joyous occasion, a wedding at which many prominent rabbis were present, among them the rebbes of Trisk and Husyatin. During the wedding a young man somehow insulted Rabbi Avraham of Trisk. The Rebbe was willing to overlook the matter but when Rabbi Mordechai Shraga of Husyatin learned of it, he said, "We cannot let this go by! I demand that the young man be brought to rabbinical court. Rabbi Yaakov Weidenfeld, the noted author of 'Kochav MiYaakov' shall judge the case."

However, the Rebbe of Husyatin saw that the Rebbe from Trisk was not at all pleased with the turn of events. And so, looking at the young man, who stood trembling, he held up his hand and said, "Just one minute. Let me tell you a story before you do anything hasty.

"There was once a similar case of a young man behaving disrespectfully to the community heads of Ostrow. He was summoned to rabbinical court before Rabbi Yaivi. This is how Rabbi Yaivi settled the matter: Turning to the trustees, he said: 'You realize that this young man is poor. He has no means. If I were to fine him, he would be unable to pay up. Find some task for him, some way to serve the community. Thus he will learn the value of communal responsibility and will gain a new respect for you too!'

"Here too," the Rebbe of Husyatin concluded, "this young man who insulted the Rebbe of Trisk is penniless. How can we fine him? I suggest that instead, the Rebbe of Trisk bless him with prosperity. Then, when the blessing is realized, the young man will surely appreciate his greatness and will feel all the more remorse for having been disrespectful to him!"

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From "Tales of Tzaddikim", by G. MaTov [Mesorah], translated by Shaindel Weinback.

Connections: weekly Torah reading (the "curses") and birthday/yarhzeit date.

Biographic Note:

Rabbi Avraham Twersky (the Maggid) of Trisk (1802- 2 Tammuz 1889) was one of the eight sons of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl all of whom became chasidic rebbes in their own right. In addition to being wee known because of the success of his blessings, his approachability and friendliness to all comers drew thousands of Chassidim to the court which he conducted for some fifty (50!) years at Trisk. His book, Magen Avraham on the Torah and festivals, enjoys great popularity among Chasidim, and among ywshiva students for whom it offers many guidelines.

Rabbi Mordechai Shraga of Husyatin (20 Iyar 1834 - 22 Iyar 1894) was one of the six sons of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin who became the head of a dynasty in Galicia. His thousands of Chassidim included many prominent scholars.

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