The Vanishing Flame
Ari Kotowitz
grandson of the Baal Shem Tov as well as the Yurtziet of Rabbi DovBer
who was known as the Maggid of Mezeritch. The day the Maggid passed
away is Yud Tes Kislev which is the same day Rav Shneur Zalman of
Liadi who is known as the Alter Rebbe who started the Chabad/Lubavich
movement was released from prison. The Alter Rebbe was in prison for
spreading Torah and Yiddishkiet according to the way of The Bal Shem
Tov so the day is known as the Rosh Hashanah for Chassidus since the
moment he was released from prison his teachings were spread like
wildfire. This week is a story about Rav Baruch of Mezbuzh as there is
a custom to say a story of a tzaddik whos Yurtzeit is in the coming
week during Melaveh Malkeh.
Shavuah tov and everyone should have a great week!
This story is by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles on chabad.org
It was the first night of Chanukah. Outside a snowstorm raged, but
inside it was tranquil and warm. The Rebbe, Rabbi Baruch of Mezhibuz,
grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, stood in front of the menorah,
surrounded by a crowd of his Chassidim. He recited the blessings with
great devotion, lit the single candle, placed the shammash ("servant
candle") in its designated place, and began to sing HaNairot Halalu.
His face radiated holiness and joy; the awed Chassidim stared intently
at him.
The flame of the candle was burning strongly. Rebbe and Chassidim sat
nearby and sang Maoz Tsur and other Chanukah songs. All of a sudden,
the candle began to flicker and leap wildly, even though there wasn't
the slightest breeze in the house. It was as if it were dancing. Or
struggling. And then, it disappeared!
It didn't blow out, there was no smoke, it just was not there anymore.
It was as if it flew off somewhere else. The Rebbe himself seemed lost
in thought. His attendant went over to re-light the wick, but the
Rebbe waved him off.
He motioned to the Chassidim to continue singing. Several times,
between tunes, the Rebbe spoke words of Torah. The evening passed
delightfully, and the Chassidim present had all but forgotten about
the disappearing Chanukah candle.
It was nearly midnight when the harsh sound of carriage wheels grating
on the snow and ice exploded the tranquility. The door burst open and
in came a Chassid who hailed from a distant village. His appearance
was shocking. His clothes were ripped and filthy, and his face was
puffy and bleeding. And yet, in stark contrast to his physical state,
his eyes were sparkling and his features shone with joy.
He sat down at the table, and with all eyes upon him, began to speak
excitedly. "This isn't the first time I came to Mezhibuz by the forest
route, and I know the way very well. But there was a terrible snow
storm this week, which greatly slowed my advance. I began to worry
that I wouldn't get here in time to be with the Rebbe for the first
night of Chanukah. The thought disturbed me so much, I decided not to
wait out the storm, but to plod ahead and travel day and night, in the
hope that I could reach my destination on time.
"That was a foolish idea, I must admit, but I didn't realize that
until too late. Last night, I ran into a gang of bandits, who were
quite pleased to encounter me. They figured if I was out in this
weather, at night, alone, I must be a wealthy merchant whose business
could not brook delay. They demanded that I surrender to them all of
my money.
"I tried to explain, I pleaded with them, but they absolutely refused
to believe I had no money. They seized the reins of my horses and
leapt on my wagon. They sat themselves on either side of me to keep me
under close surveillance, and then drove me and my wagon off to meet
their chief to decide my fate.
"While they waited for their chief to arrive, they questioned and
cross-examined me in great detail, searched me and the wagon, and beat
me, trying to elicit the secret of where I had hidden my money. I had
nothing to tell them except the truth, and that they weren't prepared
to accept.
"After hours of this torture, they bound me and threw me, injured and
exhausted, into a dark cellar. I was bleeding from the wounds they had
inflicted, and my whole body ached in pain. I lay there until the
evening, when the gang leader came to speak with me.
"I tried to the best of my ability to describe to him the great joy of
being in the Rebbe's presence, and how it was so important to me to
get to the Rebbe by the start of the holiday that it was worth it to
endanger myself by traveling at night.
"It seems that my words made an impression on him, or else he was
persuaded by my adamancy even under torture. But whichever it was,
thank G-d he released me from the handcuffs, saying:
"I sense that your faith in G-d is strong and your longing to be with
your Rebbe is genuine and intense. Now we shall see if this is the
truth. I am going to let you go, but you should know that the way is
extremely dangerous. Even the most rugged people never venture into
the heart of the forest alone, only in groups, and especially not in a
storm and at night. You can leave and try your luck. And I am telling
you, if you get through the forest and the other terrible conditions
safely, unharmed by the ferocious wild beasts or anything else, then I
will break up my gang and reform my ways.
"If you actually reach the outskirts of the city, then throw your
handkerchief into the ditch next to the road, behind the signpost
there. One of my men will be waiting, and that is how I will know that
you made it.
"I then became terrified all over again. The hardships I had already
endured were seared into my soul, and now even more frightening
nightmares awaited me. But when I thought about how wonderful it is to
be with the Rebbe at the menorah lighting, I shook off all my
apprehensions and resolved not to delay another moment. My horse and
carriage were returned to me and I set off on my way.
"There was total darkness all around. I could hear the cries of the
forest animals, and they sounded close. I feared that I was surrounded
by a pack of vicious wolves.
"I crouched down over my horse's neck and spurred him on. He refused
to move in the pitch blackness. I lashed him. He didn't budge.
"I had no idea what to do. At that moment, a small light flickered in
front of the carriage. The horse stepped eagerly towards it. The light
advanced. The horse followed. All along the way, the wild animals fled
from us, as if the tiny dancing flame was driving them away.
"We followed that flame all the way here. I kept my end of the bargain
and threw my handkerchief at the designated place. Who knows? Perhaps
those cruel bandits will change their ways, all in the merit of that
little light."
It was only then that the Chassidim noticed that the Rebbe's Chanukah
light had returned. There it was, burning in the elaborate menorah,
its flame strong and pure as if it had just been lit.
Biographical note: Rabbi Baruch was born in 1753 in Mezhibuz, the town
from which his illustrious grandfather, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov,
led the Chassidic Movement which he founded. Rabbi Baruch was the son
of the Baal Shem Tov's daughter, Adel, and her husband, Rabbi Yechiel
Ashkenazi. He was one of the pre-eminent Rebbe's in the generation of
the disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch and had thousands of
Chassidim.