How R' Yakov Yosef Became a Chosid Of The Baal Shem Tov

There are numerous stories describing why the great Rabbi Yaakov Yosef from Polanya renounced his initial opposition to Chasidism and became an ardent follower of the Baal Shem Tov. The following story is considered by some to be the most accurate account:

Early one morning, the Baal Shem Tov arrived at the marketplace in the town of Sharigrade, where Rabbi Yaakov Yosef served as the Rabbi, and began talking to the passersby. Soon his heartfelt words and inspiring stories attracted a sizeable crowd. Many of his listeners had been on their way to the synagogue for the morning services and stopped to hear him instead.

One can imagine Rabbi Yaakov Yosef's displeasure upon arriving at the synagogue only to find it empty, except for the shammas (attendant).

"Where are all the people?" he demanded to know.

"Honored Rabbi," replied the shammas. "A distinguished-looking Jew is telling stories in the marketplace and many people have congregated around him."

"Well, please go tell them to come to the synagogue immediately so we may proceed with services as usual," the Rabbi ordered.

The shammas went to summon the people, but instead found himself among those captivated by the newcomer's tales.

"I'll go there and call them myself," decided Rabbi Yaakov Yosef when the shammas failed to return.

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef neared the crowd just as the Baal Shem Tov had begun a new story and found himself listening with interest:

"There was once a simple porter who always began his day at dawn, participating in the early minyan for Tehilim (Psalms) and Shacharit (the morning service). After praying, he would toil for many long hours, finishing shortly before sunset. Despite his exhaustion, the porter would always rush to the synagogue for the Mincha (afternoon) services. He was careful never to miss the minyan and would stay on through Ma'ariv (the evening service) to join a study group for the simple laborers, appropriate to their limited knowledge and understanding of Torah.

"The porter lived next door to a self-employed, learned scholar who led a much more comfortable life. The scholar did not have to rush to services, since his occupation afforded him both leisure and peace of mind. His prayers were always preceded and followed by an hour or so of concentrated study.

"One evening, the two neighbors met on their way home. The simple porter heaved a deep sigh in envy of the scholar whose prayers and learning far surpassed his own.

"Hearing the sigh, the scholar smiled to himself, thinking, 'How dare he aspire to my level of service!'

"Years later both neighbors passed away. Upon his arrival at the Hevenly Court, the scholar's prayers and Torah study were placed on one side of the scales, and they weighed heavily in justification of his devout service. Then, an unpleasant smile was placed on the other side and the balance of the scales was tipped against him.

"In contrast, the porter's limited amount of study and prayers weighed lightly until his heartfelt sigh was added to them. Then, the scales tipped easily in his favor."

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef began to consider his own service and realized that it too was tinged with self-concern. Perhaps, he thought to himself, this story-teller could show him a new path of service.

From From My Father's Shabbos Table by Rabbi Yehudah Chitrik