Chassidic Story #268

THE NEWEST MACABBEE

Hundreds of Chasidim stood in awe and love, watching their Rebbe, R. Avraham of Slonim, as he stood in front of the Chanuka menora. The Rebbe stared at the wicks, meditating and contemplating, for an unknown reason not yet ready to kindle the Chanuka lights.

Minutes, which seemed like hours, passed and then the Rebbe began chanting the blessings. He infused each word with kabbalistic intentions, and each chasid drew inspiration from the holiness of the moment according to his own level.
Suddenly, an impassioned cry tore through the hearts of all those gathered there and awakened each person from his reverie.

"Help me! Save me!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
The Rebbe, his face aflame with the holiness of the moment, also turned his head toward the back of the synagogue. There stood a women with her hands outstretched, crying bitterly.
It became clear that this woman was not one of the wives of the chasidim gathered there. In fact, she had no connection to the Rebbe or the Chasidic lifestyle. "Who is she?" people were murmuring.

It turned out that the distraught woman was the wife of a wealthy and well-respected businessman who never in his life had entered the Slonimer synagogue. He and his friends were among those who laughed at the Chasidic lifestyle and customs.
For many years this couple had not been blessed with children. When their son was finally born they were already much older. Their happiness knew no bounds. He was always given the best of everything, though they did their best not to spoil him.

On the eve of Chanuka the young boy fell ill. Different doctors came to his bedside and cared for him with devotion, but they could not help him. To everyone's horror his fever rose from day to day. This night, his situation worsened. The boy had lost consciousness and the doctors who were standing around his bed turned their palms up in hopelessness.

The father of the child was pacing around the house in agony and bitterness. But his mother could not stand seeing her son's suffering any longer and suddenly darted out the door. She began walking quickly. Toward what or where or whom she knew not. But her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, and before she knew it she found herself in front of the Slonimer synagogue, just as the Rebbe was preparing to kindle the Chanuka lights.

"Rebbe, help me," cried the woman in a voice that echoed throughout the entire synagogue.
"Tell her not to worry," the Rebbe said quietly to someone. "She should go and return home. She should ask her husband to add to her son's name the name 'Matitiyahu'. And in the merit of that great tzadik-the father of the Macabbees--who gave up his life for the Jewish people and the Holy One, the sick child's life will be lengthened.

"Also tell her that when the child is fully recovered, his father should bring a 'pidyon nefesh,' a 'soul redemption' of 18 coins (the numerical value of chai, which means life), which will be given for charity in the Holy Land."
The following day, at about the time when the Chanuka candles were being lit, a new face was seen in the Slonimer synagogue. It was the father of Matitiyahu, who happily brought to the Rebbe 18 rubles, the pidyon nefesh for his son who was now fully recovered.

[Adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from the rendition in "L'Chaim" #247.]

Biographical note:
Rabbi Avraham Wienberg, the Slonimer Rebbe [1804-11 Cheshvan 1883], was active in the spread of the Chasidic movement in Lithuania, the stronghold of the opposition to the Chasidism. He was also a main organizer of support for the religious communities in the Holy Land. His books include Chesed L"Avraham, a deep mystical work, and Be'er Avraham on the Mechilta.