1505 (5787-06) 1 Cheshvan 5787 (Oct. 12)

"A Chasidic Child's Reseurrection"

The Chassid was overcome with emotion. He stood there before the Rebbe in utter astonishment, unable to utter a single word. The others present in the room were equally amazed to hear the Rebbe's words, yet none dared question him.

Why This Week? The 3rd of the Jewish month of Cheshvan [2026: Wednesday, Oct.14] is the yahrzeit of "The Holy Rizhiner Rabbi".

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A CHASIDIC CHILD'S RESURRECTION

It is told of one of the most devoted followers of the holy Rebbe, Rabbi Meir of Premishlan, of blessed memory, when he set out on one of his lengthy journeys to attend to his extensive business affairs.

He traveled from city to city and, thank G-d, enjoyed great success in all his business dealings. After several months, he returned home and, without saying a word to anyone, went straight to the home of his holy Rebbe, Rabbi Meirl.

He presented the Rebbe with a kvitl-a written petition together with a sum of money as a pidyon nefesh-a redemption offering for the merit and protection of his [or someone else's] soul.

The Rebbe studied the note, sank into deep thought, and then said:

"The child whose name is written on this note, for whom a prayer for a complete recovery is being requested, does not need my blessing at all. He is the son of the holy Rebbe, Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin,. Surely he is protected from all harmful forces."

The Chassid was overcome with emotion. He stood there before the Rebbe in utter astonishment, unable to utter a single word. The others present in the room were equally amazed to hear the Rebbe's words, yet none dared question their holy master.

After the Chassid left the Rebbe's room, several of his fellow Chassidim followed him and asked him what the Rebbe had meant by his remarkable statement.

"What can I tell you, my dear brothers?" he began, his voice trembling with great emotion. "Our righteous Rebbe would never, G-d forbid, say anything that was not firmly rooted in truth. But I have no idea whatsoever what he intende. I'd better hurry home and speak with my wife'

The next morning in shul, after the prayers, he gathered his colleagues from the day before. A number of other chasidim also strolled over to listen

"While I was away on my lengthy business trip, I received an urgent telegram from my dear wife, may she live and be well. She informed me that our little son had fallen gravely ill, and that the doctors who came to treat him declared that his illness was extremely serious.

"That day, I was on my way to the city of Sadigura. I decided that, since I would anyway be there, I should visit the heilecheh (holy) Ruzhiner Rebbe, who lives there, and ask for his blessing for my son's complete recovery.

"That very evening, the child's condition took a terrible turn for the worse. The doctor despaired of his chances; and every from moment to moment he expected the child's imminent death, G-d forbid.

"'There is nothing more we can do,' the doctor declared sorrowfully.

"My wife burst into bitter tears, but there was nothing more she could do to help our precious little boy either.

"Then, a few moments later, as the doctor waited for the inevitable, he noticed that the child had stopped breathing. He examined him and pronounced him dead.

"The child was already covered with a sheet, Candles were lit at his head, as is customary, and my weeping wife was led out of the room.

"The doctor remained behind for several more minutes to record the sequence of events in his notebook. When he was finally ready to leave, he cast one last sorrowful glance at the body of my son covered beneath the sheet.

"That's when he noticed the slightest movement under the sheet.

"He hurried over and discovered that the child was breathing through his nose beneath the sheet. He quickly removed the covering from the child's face and ordered that the candles be extinguished.

"And then, without any clear medical explanation, the child began to come back to life.

"Color slowly returned to his face, and he began to cry. From one moment to the next, he grew stronger until he fully recovered and once again was entirely healthy, thank G-d!"

The Chassid paused briefly before continuing:
"The doctor of course, recorded everything in his notebook, even noting the precise times at which each event occurred. "Only afterward did we realize that the very moment I entered the room of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, presented him with the note and the money as a pidyon nefesh for my little son, and received his blessing, was exactly the moment when my beloved child returned to life.

"Now do you understand?" exclaimed the Chassid, concluding his moving account. "Our righteous Rebbe, Rabbi Meir of Premishlan, perceived through his ruach hakodesh-his divinely inspired insight-that the child was the son of the righteous Rebbe of Ruzhin. For it was through the merit of the Ruzhiner's blessing that he remained alive and regained his health!"

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Source: Freely adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from an emailing of "Sipurei Tzaddikim" [#281 - Noach 2018], (with some referencing of a literal AI translation).

Why This Week? The 3rd of the Jewish month of [2026: Wednesday, Oct.14] is the yahrzeit of "The Holy Rizhiner Rabbi".

Biographical notes:
Rabbi Yisrael Friedmann of Rizhin [5557 - 3 Cheshvan 5611 (1797 - Oct. 1850)] was a great-grandson of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov. At a young age was already a charismatic leader with a large following of chasidim. Greatly respected by the other rebbes and Jewish leaders of his generation, he was -and still is-referred to as "The Holy Rizhiner Rabbi" Six of his sons established Chassidic dynasties, several of which --Sadigora, Chortkov, Bianna, etc-- are still thriving today.

Rabbi Meir of Primishlan [?-29 Iyar 5610 (?-May 1850)], lived in abject but uncomplaining poverty, yet exerted himself tirelessly for the needy and the suffering. His ruach hakodesh (prophetic spirit) and his ready wit have become legendary. He wrote no works, but some of his teachings were collected and published by his chasidim after his death.

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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