Story: A Small Favor
Tal Moshe Zwecker
The Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz once told how the Berditchiver (others say it
was the Rebbe Reb Zisha of Annipoli, the Noam Elimelech's brother) was once
looking for a way to advocate on behalf of the Jewish people. As he searched
he came upon an idea. He took in a poor hungry pauper. Washed him, clothed
him and fed him hot food and cared for his every whim and need.
"Have you eaten and drunk your fill? Do you have everything you need?" asked
the Berditchiver. "Yes, yes, thank you! How can I ever repay you?" asked the
poor Yid. "Actually can you do me one small favor?" asked the Berditchiver.
"It's really something small and insignificant, really easy to do," he
concluded.
"What is it?" asked the curious pauper. "Just visit the local priest and
tell him you wish to convert, it will take no time at all and be done very
quickly!" explained the Berditchiver smiling. "What!," asked the pauper
incredulously, "rebbe what do you mean how can you ask me to do that?!" he
yelled. "I am sorry there is no way I can every do such a thing," he said in
dismay. To his utter shock and chagrin the Rebbe continued begging with him,
pleading and cajoling extolling the many good deeds he had done and
explaining that this was a very poor way to pay him back. "Just do me this
one small favor," the rebbe explained. The pauper began to try and leave,
but now the Berditchiver no longer asked, he ordered him to go and in fact
he grabbed the poor Yid and began dragging him kicking and screaming down to
the local priest! "Let me go, unhand me this instant!" the pauper struggled.
Finally having no alternative he pushed himself free of the Rebbe by yanking
hard on his beard. The Berditchiver released the pauper, but not before the
latter had torn off a few hairs from his beard.
When the Berditchiver noticed, he grew excited. Ecstatic he grabbed the
hairs ran into the Beis Midrash and placed the precious hairs in the aron
kodesh where the Torah scrolls were kept. "Hashem, see how much Your
children love You! Nothing can make them exchange Yiddishkeit for another
religion! Not a begging, pleading, care, comforts or even brute force!"
(Based on MiPi Seforim U'Mipi Sofrim Yisro Peninei Chassidus #31 p439)
Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
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