Weekly Chasidic Story #715 (s5771-49 / 8 Menachem-AV 5771) Three True Believers Rabbi Yitzchok of Radvil heard of the greatness of Rabbi Avraham "the Angel" (son of the Maggid), and traveled to see him, arriving during the day before Tisha B'av began. Connection: Seasonal -- Tisha B'av
Three True Believers
The following morning, Rabbi Yitzchak arrived early to shul and found Rabbi Avraham Hamalach still mourning, a puddle of tears surrounding him, From time to time, he would lift his holy head and ask in a pained voice, "He's still not here?" * * * * * * * * * Other tzadikim living during the time of the tzadik Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, the Yismach Moshe, said that he was a reincarnation of Yirmiyahu Hanovi [the prophet Jeremiah), who prophesied the destruction of the first Holy Temple. The Yismach Moshe would constantly cry about the exile, especially during the Three Weeks, and his longing for Moshiach was remarkable. Next to his bed, his finest Shabbat clothing lay prepared, and before sleeping he would warn his attendant to wake him the moment the shofar blast of Moshiach was heard. Whenever he heard some bustle in the street, he would run to determine whether Moshiach had arrived. Once, a notice arrived to his home that on a coming date his beloved son-in-law would be arriving for a visit. This caused a stirring of great joy and everyone prepared for his arrival. The special day came, but the visitor was nowhere to be seen, and the family became restless, imagining possible reasons for his delay. The Yismach Moshe sat in his room engrossed in learning, while some family members stood outside waiting impatiently. Suddenly a carriage was seen in the distance. The Rebbe's attendant ran in to bring the tzadik the good news, "Rebbe, he has arrived!" Hearing this, the Rebbe jumped from his place in excitement, put on his fine Shabbat garments, including kapota (long black frock-coat and shtreimel (elaborate, round fur hat) and ran outside toward the approaching carriage. Seeing none other than his son-in-law descending from the carriage, he was unable to bear the pain and fell to the ground in a faint. When his family revived him, they heard him moaning to himself, "Oy! It's not him. He still has not yet arrived." * * * * * * * * * The chief Rabbi (a century ago) of Jerusalem, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, related that as a student learning in the yeshiva (of the Chatam Sofer) in Pressburg, he once overheard a woman ask her friend what she had prepared for supper. "Squash," the other replied. "And for tomorrow?" the woman questioned further. "Chas v'shalom [Heaven forbid]! Don't speak like that! If Heaven
forbid Moshiach does not come by tomorrow, then I will make lentils [a food
often associated with mourning]." Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum [1759-28 Tammuz 1841], known as the Yismach
Moshe after the title of his book of Torah commentary, was famed both as
a scholar and wonderworker. A disciple of the Seer of Lublin, he was instrumental
in the spread of Chasidut in Hungary. His descendants founded the dynasties
of Satmar and Sighet.
~~~~~~~~~~~
To receive the Story by e-mail every Wednesday--sign up here! A 48 page soft-covered booklet containing eleven of his most popular stories may be ordered on our store site.
|
|