Weekly Chasidic Story #722 (s5772-01 / Erev Rosh Hashana 5772)

Almost Too Clever

When Rabbi Simchah Bunem of Pshischah entered the rebbe's study, the Seer of Lublin taught him all the kabbalistic significances of blowing the shofar.

Connection: Seasonal - ROSH HASHANA

Almost Too Clever

The Seer of Lublin once invited all those who were going to blow the shofar in his region to call on him before Rosh HaShanah in order to receive his blessing. Also, he had not yet chosen the shofar-blower for his own shul. When they all entered his room, Rabbi Simchah Bunem of Pshischah** joined them, even though he had never blown a shofar in his life and did not even know how to.

When the Seer noticed the presence of his outstanding follower, he said: "The Talmud teaches us that 'shofar-blowing is a skill' (chachmah) and since Simchah Bunem is a clever man (chacham), it is he who will blow the shofar here."

When Reb Bunim later entered the rebbe's study for a private audience, the Seer first taught him all the kabbalistic significances of the mitzvah. He then pointed to a shofar for him to take and told him to meditate as instructed in preparation for blowing the required sounds.

"But never in my life have I been able to blow a shofar!" confessed the chasid.

The rebbe expressed annoyance at this reply, and the disciple realized he could be in trouble, possibly even in danger. Quickly, he defended his actions. "I have grounds for my behavior in the Torah itself."

The Seer raised an eyebrow.

"From Moshe, who delivered us the Torah."

"Explain yourself," demanded the rebbe.

"When G-d first commanded Moshe to go and liberate the Children of Israel from Egypt, he asked: 'What shall I say to them when they ask who sent me?' Then, after the Almighty revealed to him a special sacred Name and instructed him what to say, he still protested: 'I am not a man of words….Send someone else.'"

The rebbe smiled. "Well said. Indeed you are a clever one. Go in peace."

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[Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition in A Treasury of Chassidic Tales (Artscroll), as translated by the esteemed Uri Kaploun from Sipurei Chasidim by Rabbi S. Y. Zevin, plus oral traditions.]

Biographical notes:
R. Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz (1745 - 9 Av 1815), known as 'the Chozeh [Seer] of Lublin', was the successor to R. Elimelech of Lizensk (1717-1787), and leader of the spread of chassidism in Poland. Many of his insights were published posthumously in Divrei Emmes, Zichron Zos, and Zos Zichron.

Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (1765 - 12 Elul 1827) spent many years as a business man and a pharmacist. He was a beloved disciple of "the Seer" and of "the Holy Yid," whom he succeeded. Known as "a rebbe of rebbes," his major disciples included the Kotsker and the first Rebbes of Ger and Alexander.

** Editor's note:
Other versions of this story circulate. The storyline is almost exactly the same; however, the identities of the Rebbe and chasid/Rebbe vary.

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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.

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