Once, in the course of his wandering, he came to the city of Brod. As was his custom, he went directly to the market place and began to talk to the simple, common Jews. Soon he was surrounded by an enthralled circle of people, listening eagerly to his tales of great Rabbis, and their ways and customs.
As he was speaking, he noticed a particular Jew, a porter by trade, passing through the marketplace with a heavy load on his shoulders. His appearance was quite miserable. His clothes were torn, he was wearing wooden shoes, his face was covered with sweat. But the Baal Shem Tov saw something that the others there could not see: above the man's head shone a pillar of pure, bright light.
"Hershel, you should carry your burden in peace," called out some of the assembled people to him. There were those who added in a mocking tone, "Go in peace, Hershel-goat." Hershel the porter answered all, with a benevolent expression on his face, "You should be blessed," and continued on his way.
From the people of the city, the Baal Shem Tov heard that this Hershel was a widower, who had lost his wife some ten years previously. He had two sons who learned in yeshiva. He made a good living, but spent most of his income on the upkeep of four goats who lived together with him. Everyone assumed that he loved goat's milk. This is how the nickname "Hershel-goat" came about.
Over the next few days the Baal Shem Tov watched Hershel but could not find anything extraordinary. Wanting very much to have revealed to him the man's secret, the Baal Shem Tov fasted for three consecutive days and nights, during which time he prayed and begged G-d to help him uncover the secret.
On the afternoon of the third day, as he was leaving the synagogue, he met Hershel. "Reb Hershel," he appealed to him, "I would very much love a glass of warm goat's milk. I have heard that one may buy some from you."
"Come with me," invited Hershel with a radiant face. "I will give you a cup of fresh milk. However, I will not accept money from you, as I too would like to fulfill the mitzva (commandment) of hospitality."
For quite some time the two of them wended their way through the narrow alleys, until they reached the outskirts of the city. When Hershel opened the door of his little hovel, he was greeted by the happy bleating of his goats, who rushed over and began to lick his hands. He took a pan and milked the goats, strained the milk, poured a cup of the warm fresh milk and handed it to his guest the Baal Shem Tov. Hershel then began to tell him his life story.
He told him about his wife, a woman of great kindness, who dedicated herself in particular to the mitzva of ministering to the sick. "There was no sick person whom she did not assist, and for whom she would get all possible help. She also attended to poor women who were giving birth.
"After she passed away, ten years ago, she appeared to me in a dream," he continued. "She told me how wonderful it was in the World of Truth, and how great is the merit of doing a kind deed for a Jew. When her soul ascended on high to the Heavenly Court, it was happy to recognize many people whom she knew. These were all the people whom she had helped and supported during their illnesses. They had all come to bear witness to her goodness.
"After she told me how much appreciated in Heaven is every favor that is done for a fellow Jew, she suggested that I concern myself with charity work.
" 'You are a simple Jew' she said. 'You don't know how to learn Torah. Busy yourself with charity and good deeds, and especially help the sick, the poor, and women giving birth. But you must do this in a way so that no one will know.'
"I obeyed my wife's words: I saved every penny and bought four goats. I feed them fine food, so that they will produce rich and nutritious milk. This milk I distribute to the sick and the poor, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, Who heals all flesh, helps and the milk makes the sick people well.
Hershel also told his guest that his wife had revealed to him that the next day he would meet a poor Jew who would request a glass of milk. "Invite this person to your home and tell him about your deeds," his wife had told him. "Through him you will receive many blessings."
Now the Baal Shem Tov realized that because of the pure, honest work of Hershel, his goodness of heart, his giving of himself and his love of fellow Jews, he merited the crown of light which accompanied him wherever he went. The Baal Shem Tov brought Hershel into the circle of "hidden tzaddikim" who taught him Torah step by step. But even when he became very learned in Torah and accomplished in his studies, he didn't stop taking care of the sick and the poor.
Eventually, Hershel passed away unrecognized, at the age of approximately one hundred. But up in Heaven, a glorious welcome was accorded the soul of the holy man who was once known in Brod as "Hershel-goat."
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