Devorah Leah realized the gravity of the situation and sensed that her father's life was linked with it. For several days she kept her anxiety to herself. Then she decided that it was her duty to divulge her secret to some of the senior Chasidim. She also resolved that she would give her life for the life of her father.
Devorah Leah asked three senior Chasidim to meet with her. She asked them to promise on oath that they would act according to her instructions, whatever they might be, and would keep in strictest confidence all that she was about to tell them, until such time as it would be fitting to keep the matter secret no longer.
The three Chasidim requested time to consider. They realized that something was amiss. They had noticed that the Rebbe had secluded himself in his private room and not even they were admitted. This change in the Rebbe's routine was ominous. Undoubtedly, the Rebbe's daughter knew something that was of extreme gravity. Finally they came to the conclusion that they had to accept Devorah Leah's conditions. The following day they presented themselves to Devorah Leah with their resolution. She began by saying:
"We are all Chasidim of my father, our Rebbe, and each one of us must be ready and willing to give his or her life for him, and for the future of Chasidism." Then she was overcome by a flood of tears.
At her distress the three Chasidim were deeply moved. One Chasid ex-claimed: "I will be the first to give my life for the Rebbe and for the perpetuation of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings. I will gladly go through fire or water..."
"First," Devorah Leah interrupted, "you must swear to me by the most stringent Torah-oath which has no absolution, that you will do what I ask of you, without any mental reservation whatsoever, even if it is a matter of life."
Hearing these ominous words, they reiterated that they had already carefully weighed the matter and had agreed to abide by Devorah Leah's conditions, come what may. Thereupon the three of them gave their solemn oath as requested.
"Now I make the three of you a Beit Din (rabbinical court), and you will agree to act as a Beit Din, and to rule in accordance with the law of the Torah." Devorah Leah continued, "These were my father's words concerning the present situation in the wake of the intrigue which has cast a shadow over Chasidism:
" 'For thirty years a fruit-bearing tree requires cultivation and care in order to bring it to its optimum fruitfulness. It is now thirty years since the teachings of our master, the Baal Shem Tov, were firmly planted by my teacher and master, the Maggid of Mezritch, and grew into a Tree of Life. Now, the Adversary threatens to destroy it all. I do want to live, for this is the duty of every man, according to the Torah. Yet, more precious to me than life is my desire to cultivate this tree so that it continues to give its fruit until the coming of Moshiach.
" 'The Maggid, had forewarned me of difficult times, and had promised to come to my aid. I saw my teacher, but his face was overcast, an ill-omen.'
"In view of this situation, I have resolved to put my life in lieu of my father's. I bequeath my life to him; I will die so that he may live a good and long life, in order to cultivate the Tree of Life. In this way I will also have a share in it."
On the first night of Rosh Hashana, after the services, Rabbi Shneur Zalman broke his custom not to speak to anyone. He, asked: "Where is Devorah Leah?" When she appeared, he began to wish her the customary blessing to "be inscribed in a happy year." But she interrupted him immediately, and wished him, instead, to "be inscribed in a happy year."
After Rosh Hashana ended, Rabbi Shneur Zalman called Devorah Leah and her husband Rabbi Shalom Shachna into his room. What was spoken there is not known, but Rabbi Shachna was heard saying: "What is to happen to the boy?"
The following day Devorah Leah passed away. Rabbi Shneur Zalman took personal charge of her young son's upbringing.
The next years saw an intensification of intolerance in certain communities towards the Chasidic approach. The extent of Rabbi Shneur Zalman's suffering became apparent on Shavuot, the anniversary of the Baal Shem Tov's passing. He was immersed in a state of profound soulful reverie. It was an awesome sight. Suddenly, Rabbi Shneur Zalman stood up and exclaimed: "Zaida (Grandfather)! (referring to the Baal Shem Tov.) Invoke Divine mercy upon me, upon all your disciples and followers, upon the survival of your teachings! Our Heavenly Father, have mercy upon us!" Then, Rabbi Shneur Zalman fainted.
Turmoil broke loose. In the midst of the commotion, little Menachem Mendel, the orphaned son of Devorah Leah, came running into the room. Seeing his grandfather lying on the floor, he cried: "Zaida! Zaida!" Rabbi Shneur Zalman opened his eyes. "Zaida, take hold of my hand and get up!" the child kept saying. Reaching for the little hand, Rabbi Shneur Zalman stood up and said, "This one will comfort us!"
No comments:
Post a Comment