Reb Shmuel Munkis Stories

Reb Shmuel Munkis was one of the most colorful and beloved of the early Chasidim of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch Movement.

When he arrived at the Rebbe's court in Liozna around 1778 he was a young man, already well-versed in Talmud and many other parts of the Jewish canon. He immediately became one of the Rebbe's foremost disciples and enjoyed a unique relationship with the Rebbe throughout his life. In tribute to his great spiritual refinement, Reb Shmuel was chosen by the Alter Rebbe to be his personal emissary to the Chasidim and spiritual mentor to many other remarkable personalities of the age.

One might imagine that a person of enormous spiritual achievement would be very serious-minded. But in the case of Reb Shmuel Munkis this was certainly not so. He was known as a jester, though his "jests" were never empty jokes - they all contained an important core of truth.

Once a distraught mother hurried to the House of Study of the Alter Rebbe, whom she had never seen. When she reached the building she rushed in and ran up to Reb Shmuel Munkis. Having never seen the Alter Rebbe she assumed that Reb Shmuel was the Tzadik she sought. Excitedly, she began explaining her predicament, begging for his blessing. "Rebbe, please help my daughter. She is in labor, but it is dragging on and I am very worried about her."

Reb Shmuel realized that she had mistaken his identity, but nonetheless, here was a Jewish woman who needed help badly and every Jew in need must be helped. In a calm and reassuring tone he told the woman, "Don't worry. Just go home and recite Yizkor [the prayer which is recited to remember deceased parents] seven times."

It was strange advice, but the woman trusted in the words of the holy Tzadik. She rushed back home and hurried to fulfill the Tzadik's behest. A few days later the woman returned to the house of study with a tray piled high with many types o f delicacies. She asked to be admitted to the Alter Rebbe's study and when she entered, she thanked the Rebbe profusely for his blessing and advice. She explained that as soon as she had finished reciting Yizkor for the seventh time, the baby was born, healthy and well. She was so excited relating her story that she didn't notice that she was not speaking to the man who had given the advice.

The Alter Rebbe congratulated her and blessed her. Then, he called in Reb Shmuel. The Rebbe asked, "Where did you find the segula [an action which brings good fortune] of reciting Yizkor seven times?"

Reb Shmuel replied, "If when we say Yizkor in shul one time all the children and even some adults run out, I figured that when it would be said seven times, for sure the child would come out quickly!" [It is customary for those whose parents are alive to leave the synagogue when Yizkor is recited.]

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Once, while on the way to Liozna, Reb Shmuel met someone who was traveling in his direction. Being a friendly person, Reb Shmuel greeted him and then asked the man who he was and where he was going. The man answered, "I am very knowledgeable in Kabala, but there are a few points which I do not completely understand. I heard that the Magid of Liozna (as some referred to the Alter Rebbe) is very wise. So I decided to ask him my questions and see if he is as brilliant as they claim he is." Reb Shmuel was very disturbed by this person's arrogance and wanted to soften it without ridiculing him. So he said, in feigned happiness. "How fortune I am! I am also going to Liozna to judge him. Please, tell me your questions; I am also somewhat knowledgeable in Kabala."

After hearing the man's "deep and difficult" questions, Reb Shmuel said, "My friend, I see you are more knowledgeable than I am in Kabala. Perhaps you can do me a favor. I, too, have a question in Kabala that has been bothering me for some time:

"It is written in one of the books of Kabala: 'First it was scattered, then it became connected. Then it came to the level of a great circle. Then the level of three lines was applied to it and it became the level of a triangle with the point in the middle. And through the combination of the foundation of water with the foundation of fire it was finished and became good."

"Now," continued Reb Shmuel, "since you are so much more knowledgeable than I, perhaps you can ask the Maggid of Liozna my question. You will certainly be able to discuss it with him on a higher level than I can and then you will be able to share the answer with me. "

The man immediately agreed to Reb Shmuel's suggestion. When he entered the Alter Rebbe's room for a private audience he introduced himself in grand terms. Then, he asked his own questions followed by Reb Shmuel's question.

To this final question, the Alter Rebbe smiled and answered, "It is a krepel (dumpling). First it is flour (scattered), then it is kneaded and becomes connected. You roll the dough into a circle, cut it into a triangle, and put meat in the middle. You fold up the sides, put it in water and cook it over the fire."

Seeing how truly ignorant he was in Kabala, the person left slightly embarrassed of his own arrogance but greatly humbled by the experience.

Later, when Reb Shmuel entered the Alter Rebbe's room, the Alter Rebbe asked him, "This was a piece of your work?"

Adapted from Early Chasidic Personalities: Reb Shmuel Munkis by Rabbi Sholom D. Avtzon

The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, was surrounded by a shining constellation of Torah scholars and Tzadikim. These men, many of whom were considered great enough to be Rebbes in their own right, were drawn to the Alter Rebbe to learn how to perfect their G-dly service and to develop their character traits to the highest levels.

One such person was Reb Shmuel Munkis, [1758-1848] a beloved Chasid, known for his humor and wit. Of course, he was no empty joker, but a very deep personality, who could abide no falsehood, whose own ego was completely nullified to perform the will of his Creator. Reb Shmuel was one of the few chosen by the Rebbe to be his personal emissary. Reb Shmuel's greatness was recognized by all. Even the gentiles considered him a holy man. When it was noticed that those fields where Reb Shmuel mediated yielded a bountiful harvest the gentile farmers tried to find ways to get Reb Shmuel to come to pray in their fields.

During the month of Elul, a maggid (traveling preacher) came to Reb Shmuel's town. The townspeople saw his letter of introduction which referred to him as a great Tzadik, who also gives up his own comforts to travel from town to town only to arouse and inspire Jews. Being G-d-fearing people, they immediately invited him to speak and inspire them to serve G-d better.

The maggid began his speech. Over and over again, he accused his audience of committing terrible sins. His entire speech was filled with accusations and descriptions of the terrible punishments awaiting them because their evil behavior had aroused G-d's anger. Only if they would wholeheartedly repent would they possibly have a chance to be spared. The townspeople were utterly broken by the maggid's harsh words, and they cried bitterly, fearing the awesome punishment.

After his speech, the maggid, satisfied with himself, retired to the room that the community had arranged for him.

A short while later, Reb Shmuel entered the maggid's room. He carried with him a long knife and a stone with which to sharpen it. Reb Shmuel closed the door behind him and then bolted it. Without saying a word, Reb Shmuel began to sharpen his knife.

A few tense moments passed. Finally the maggid broke the silence and asked in astonishment, "Sir, could you please tell me what are you doing?"

Without glancing up from the knife he was sharpening, Reb Shmuel answered, "As the honorable, great maggid knows, we are very simple people in this town. Perhaps, it is because of our unintentional sins that we have never merited to have a great, righteous, G-d-fearing scholar in our midst."

Not knowing what to make of this answer, the maggid replied, "Yes, that is true. Nevertheless, what does that have to do with sharpening the knife?"

Reb Shmuel answered simply, "We were taught by our parents that before Rosh Hashana, one is supposed to pray at the graves of the righteous."

Still unsure of what Reb Shmuel's point was, the maggid asked, "What is correct. But why are you sharpening that knife?"

"Oh, that is very simple," explained Reb Shmuel. "The nearest grave site of a righteous person is very far from our town. For some of us it is extremely troublesome and difficult to make such a long journey."

With these additional words, the maggid began to feel uneasy. He started sweating and ventured, "But you still have not explained why you are sharpening your knife in this room!"

Reb Shmuel answered, "Quite simply, I am sharpening my knife here because the townspeople want a very righteous person buried in this town."

Now the maggid had not even a shadow of a doubt as to what Reb Shmuel's intentions seemed to be. The maggid stammered, "But I am not completely righteous. I have also done some small sins, such as ..."

Reb Shmuel dismissed the maggid's revelation, saying, "Honored maggid, you are still a very righteous and learned person. As for the sins that you mentioned, I did not even know that they were transgressions."

The maggid trembled and stuttered, "But I did some transgressions that were much more serious, such as ..."

Concerning this revelation, as well, Reb Shmuel shrugged, arguing, "But to us you are still a Tzadik; for us, you are quite good enough."

This strange dialogue continued for some time with the maggid, mentioning more and more severe transgressions and Reb Shmuel telling him, "But you are still acceptable to us, since you are far better than we are."

Finally, the maggid admitted to some extremely serious transgressions and that he was not really the great Tzadik that his letter of introduction and credentials claimed him to be. In essence, he was saying, "I am an impostor."

Now, Reb Shmuel no longer played the simpleton. After putting away the knife, he began chastising the maggid for causing the Jews of the town so much pain and sorrow. After making sure the maggid fully understood how one is to talk to and treat another Jew, Reb Shmuel unbolted the door and let the maggid go on his way, much the wiser and more sensitive than before.

Reprinted from Early Chasidic Personalities: Reb Shmuel Munkis, by Rabbi S. D. Avtzon - available from Sichos in English - sie100@aol.com