Weekly Chasidic Story #963 (s5776-35 / 1 Iyar 5776).

From the desk of Yerachmiel Tilles editor@ascentofsafed.com

A Critical Exchange

Having lost all his money, he turned to Reb Shmuel-Shmelke of Nicholsburg to write a letter of introduction for him,

Connection: Seasonal -- 238th yahrzeit of Reb Shmelke on Iyar 2.

A Critical Exchange

Once, when Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Chabad fell ill, the doctors prescribed frequent baths as a remedy. The Rebbe took his sons along to the bathhouse to entertain him with tales of tzadikim (the holiest Jews) while he bathed, to keep him from thinking Torah thoughts in an unclean place.

One time, while the Alter Rebbe was in the bath, they happened to mention the name of Rabbi Shmelke of Nicholsburg. "Shush!" the Rebbe said. "Don't speak about him here!"

When they left the bathhouse the Rebbe explained why he had reacted so strongly. "One does not speak about a man of G-d, who actually resurrected the dead, while taking a bath." He then told them the following story.

There was once a man who lived in Nicholsburg who was very wealthy, but the wheel of fortune continued to turn and he lost all his money. Left without so much as a crust of bread, the man turned to Reb Shmelke to write a letter of introduction for him, asking people to give him charity. As Reb Shmelke's reputation and stature were very great, the letter he composed reaped significant results. Wherever he traveled the man presented the letter to community leaders, and he was given sizeable donations without having to go from door to door.

As soon as he had collected enough money, the man decided to return to Nicholsburg. On the way home he chanced to stay at an inn, where he met another poor man collecting funds to support his family. When his new acquaintance learned that the man had a letter of introduction from Reb Shmelke, he said, "Look, friend, you are already on your way home. You have no more need of this letter. Please sell it to me - I'll pay you any price you name. Both of us will benefit from the transaction: I will no longer have to knock on doors, and you will have made some additional money for your family!"

The man agreed to sell Reb Shmelke's letter.

Several days later, however, the new owner of the letter died.

When the Burial Society found Reb Shmelke's letter in the pocket of the deceased, they assumed his identity to be that of the first man, for whom the letter was originally intended. They sent word to the man's family, informing them of the death. The "widow," having been notified that her husband was dead, was granted permission by the local rabbinical court to remarry. A short time later she was wed to another very rich man.

Meanwhile, her first husband, very much alive and about to arrive home, was robbed of all the money he had so painstakingly collected. Having no other choice he began knocking on doors, begging for coins with which to buy food. But without Reb Shmelke's precious letter, pennies were all he received.

After collecting a small sum he decided to return home. As soon as he reached Nicholsburg he learned what had happened during his absence: not only was his wife now married to another man, but she had just given birth to a son. Today was the baby's bris mila (circumcision).

The devastated man went directly to the celebration and sat among the other poor people. No one recognized him in his tattered clothes; his appearance had changed greatly due to his adversity. Sitting at the festive table he found himself unable to eat, despite the tantalizing food that was offered. He burst into tears and wept.

The proud father of the baby came over to console his guest. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Why are you crying?"

"I would like to see the baby's mother," the man answered. "I cannot eat until I have seen her."

Not wanting to create a scene, the kindhearted father agreed. He brought the poor man to the doorway of this wife's room and led him inside. When the woman looked up and saw her first husband she was unable to bear the shock. She passed away on the spot.

The Jews of Nicholsburg were horrified by the tragedy.

When Reb Shmelke heard what had happened he pronounced his verdict: "The woman is not in the least bit guilty. She was allowed to remarry according to law. The fault lies entirely with her first husband, who sold the letter! I therefore decree that the situation be reversed - the man shall die, and the woman shall live!"

"And that is exactly what happened," concluded Rabbi Shneur Zalman. "I therefore did not wish to speak or hear about a man like this while taking a bath."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition of Basha Majerczyk in "Extraordinary Chassidic Tales", vol. 2 -- her translation of Shemuos v'Sipurim by Rabbi Rafael Nachman Kahn, vol. 2.

Biographical notes:
Rabbi Shmuel-Shmelke HaLevi Horowitz of Nikolsburg [of blessed memory: 5486 - 2 Iyar 5548 (1726 - Apr. 1788 C.E.)] was a major disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch along with his younger brother, Rabbi Pinchas, who became the Rabbi of Frankfort. Many of the leading rebbes in Poland and Galitzia were originally his disciples. Among the books he authored are Divrei Shmuel and Nazir HaShem.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman [of blessed memory: 18 Elul 5505 - 24 Tevet 5573 (1745 - Dec. 1812 C.E.)], one of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov. He is the founder of the Chabad-Chassidic movement and the author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and Tanya as well as many other major works in both Jewish law and the mystical teachings.

Connection: Seasonal -- 238th yahrzeit of Reb Shmelke on Iyar 2.

Editor's note: To my Chabad readers:
The reason for the name the Tzemech Tzedek gave to his youngest son and successor, the Maharash, is well-known. Still, this story from a major Chabad source raises the possibility that there might have been another reason as well. We see that the Alter Rebbe had an extra measure of respect for this fellow-disciple of the Maggid, and this Shmuel's yartzeit is Tiferes sh'b'Tiferes!



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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